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Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes: 13 Tasty Ideas to Shake Up Your Meals

Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes: 13 Tasty Ideas to Shake Up Your Meals

Fried chicken is always a classic meal.

You can make it homemade, or buy it ready to eat. 

Drive-thru or from a sit-down place, this classically-prepared chicken is a surefire favorite for any family.

But what about the next night?

“This AGAIN?!?”

How dare you serve the same thing twice in a row! 

Aren’t you made of money?

We demand new food!

Well, now you can trick your family and your own taste buds into thinking your leftover fried chicken is a brand new meal.

Because, it is.

Well, when you put it together in any of these refreshing fried chicken recipes it will be.

Don’t worry about your bounty of fried chicken. 

We’ve got all these great ways to throw it together so it will create brand new meals you and your family are going to love!

Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes: 13 Ways to Renovate Your Dinner 

It’s one thing to wonder what to make with leftover fried chicken, but here’s an answer to an obvious question:

You can keep your fried chicken with the breading on it or remove the coating to make any of these recipes!

1. Chicken Banh Mi

Chicken Banh Mi with leftover fried chicken

If you’ve never before had a banh mi, it’s the Vietnamese sandwich you need in your life.

It’s so simple to customize too, making it the perfect fit for that lean white and savory dark meat you need to use up. 

All you need are some short, crusty bread rolls (think like a sub but a little smaller).

Smear them with pate and mayo, then pile on pickled veggies, green onions, cilantro, fresh chilis, and seasonings for a truly scrumptious sandwich that takes your classic fried meat to a new realm of flavor.

2. Crunchy Middle Eastern Chicken Salad

That crunchy coating on your chicken is the perfect fit for this crunchy Middle Eastern chicken salad. 

For lunch or dinner, you simply add it with carrots, almonds, cilantro, and homemade yogurt tahini dressing. 

Pair it with pitas to stuff the salad into or eat alongside, dipping into that sauce you’ll soon crave on the regular. 

See below for all the details on this delightful and vibrant recipe!

3. Buffalo Chicken Casserole

 

For parties, potlucks, or even dinner tonight, create a hands-free way to indulge in buffalo chicken. 

This creative casserole takes those fried chicken leftovers and combines them with a can of condensed cream of chicken soup, cream cheese, buffalo wing sauce, ranch dressing, rotini pasta, and grated cheddar for the ultimate comforting indulgence. 

It’s a fun meal with a feisty kick that everyone is going to love. (Don’t forget to add some tasty chicken casserole sides!)

See the link for an easy and delicious recipe you can follow!

4. Chicken Pot Pie

Chicken Pot Pie for leftover fried chicken

This comfort classic staple is a wonderful way to make use of your chicken. 

All you need is a refrigerated pie crust, frozen mixed vegetables, chicken broth, all-purpose flour, heavy cream, and some fresh herbs like parsley and thyme. 

Since your chicken is already cooked, all you need to do is combine it all together and bake it up. 

The aroma it creates is nothing short of intoxicating, making this the best meal for a chilly day!

5. Spicy Thai Chicken Salad Wrap

Spicy Thai Chicken Salad Wrap for leftover fried chicken

Go a little exotic with your leftovers by wrapping it up with a fresh new take. 

Simply remove the meat from the bones and chop it up. 

Then throw it together with your favorite fresh ingredients like julienned carrots, cilantro, red cabbage, shredded lettuce, and fresh herbs. 

Anything goes, but don’t forget that peanut dressing to dunk it in for the ultimate pairing!

6. Barbecue Chicken Pizza

Barbecue Chicken Pizza for leftover fried chicken

If you only have a little bit of fried chicken left, barbecue chicken pizza is a great way to keep from wasting it. 

You don’t need tons of meat to make this meal pop. 

Plus, you can make it better than any takeout place. 

Simply grab some pizza dough and smear it with your favorite barbecue sauce, then top with the chicken and cheese. 

Throw in some veggies and add a drizzle of barbecue on sauce to finish it off. 

Or get creative with how you pair things together. 

There’s no wrong way to make this yummy pizza for your next meal. 

7. Chicken Quesadillas

Chicken Quesadillas with leftover fried chicken

Here’s a fun idea for your extra meat that can be served for any occasion. 

When friends pop over to watch the game or you want a meal that even the kids will gobble up, chicken quesadillas are the best no-fuss thing to make. 

Simply grab flour tortillas and load them up with cheese and shred your chicken

Add veggies if you like or serve it with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side. 

Pro tip: make as many as you can, for these things will disappear almost as fast as you serve them!

8. Chicken Alfredo Bake

 

Need something creamy and soothing for dinner tonight? 

This fuss-free meal is ideal for a crowd, or for freezing up into meal prep portions for anytime. 

Simply dice up the cooked chicken meat, add some jarred sauce, noodles, parmesan, and milk, and this beautiful meal will bake right up to absolute deliciousness. 

It works for gatherings too so why waste time in the kitchen when you can pop it in the oven and enjoy the company you keep? 

9. Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches with leftover fried chicken

Nothing beats a classic, so turn those classic fried chicken pieces into chicken salad for sandwiches. 

Breast meat is usually the best but don’t let that stop you from repurposing your chicken. 

Add mayonnaise, onion, celery, and tarragon for a phenomenal sandwich filling. 

You can also add a hard-boiled egg too which gives it more richness and flavor. 

Try it!

10. Smoky Chipotle Chicken Salad

 

If you’d rather make a chicken salad that’s different from the classic, then this smoky chipotle chicken salad is totally picking up that vibe!

Your cooked chicken gets paired with smoky bacon, sweet peaches, creamy blue cheese crumbles, and a wonderful vinaigrette with just the right amount of tanginess.

This combination hits all the right notes in flavors, and it’s a healthy choice too.

Click to find all the details for you on how to put this wonderful chicken salad together fast!

11. Chicken Fried Rice

Chicken Fried Rice with leftover fried chicken

Here’s a secret…you don’t have to wait 45+ minutes for Chinese takeout. 

You can make chicken fried rice in just 10 minutes. 

All you need is leftover rice, cooked diced chicken (including your leftover chicken thighs), a beaten egg, and any fresh or frozen veggies. 

A little soy sauce lives it up and in less time than it takes to even make a call to any takeout place, you and your family will already be digging in to this delicious dish!

12. Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken Enchiladas with leftover fried chicken

Chicken enchiladas are a wonderful way to liven up your chicken dinner. 

You can make them with green or red sauce too. 

Look for those sauces in your international section at the supermarket. 

You’ll fill flour tortillas with your cooked chicken and cheese, top with your chosen enchilada sauce and more cheese, and then bake until it’s hot, bubbly, and melty!  

13. Homemade Chicken Croquettes

 

Golden brown on the outside with a creamy and delicious mixture on the inside, you’d have to be crazy to not love homemade chicken croquettes. 

While they look complex, they’re super simple to make. 

With your cooked chicken, it becomes even easier to whip these up for parties or a fun appetizer for dinner on the weekend. 

Milk and flour help you create the sauce inside which comes out much like a rich and creamy bechamel. 

You’re going to love this dish, and it’s way easy to make!

Aren’t you hungry now? Then go get that poultry and start whipping up one of these amazing leftover fried chicken recipes!

Leftover Fried Chicken recipes

What to Cook with Leftover Fried Chicken

Ideas and recipes to cook with leftover fried chicken
Course: Main Course

Ingredients

  • Chicken Banh Mi
  • Crunchy Middle Eastern Chicken Salad
  • Buffalo Chicken Casserole
  • Chicken Pot Pie
  • Spicy Thai Chicken Salad Wrap
  • Barbecue Chicken Pizza
  • Chicken Quesadillas
  • Chicken Alfredo Bake
  • Classic Chicken Salad Sandwiches
  • Smoky Chipotle Chicken Salad
  • Chicken Fried Rice
  • Chicken Enchiladas
  • Homemade Chicken Croquettes

Instructions

  • Choose your desired leftover fried chicken recipe.
  • Gather and organize needed ingredients.
  • Create a tasty leftover fried chicken recipe to complete your meal!

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Reya

Friday 14th of July 2023

I like the recipes, you gave me some ideas for fried leftover chicken, thanks!

Sylvette

Sunday 2nd of April 2023

Very easy to make! Thanks!