45 Cold Chicken Recipes (Best Leftover Chicken Ideas)

One of the questions we get asked a lot is “do you have any leftover cold chicken recipes?” and we are so excited to share with you a collection of our top 45 go-to dishes to make with that chicken.

These dishes work great if you have leftover chicken, a rotisserie chicken, or even cooked and shredded chicken from your Instant Pot!

All of the recipes included are made for chicken that is already cooked and shredded, so if you are ever making chicken for dinner, our favorite tip is to double the chicken and save some for another night. Dinner will be so easy and the future you thanks you!

How do you eat cold chicken?

There are so many ways to enjoy leftover cold chicken. Some of our favorite ways to use cold chicken are in:

• salads
• sandwiches
• quesadillas
• flatbread pizzas
• nachos
• tacos
• soups
• casseroles

How do you make cold chicken taste better?

There are lots of different ways to make cold chicken taste better. Here are some ways we recommend:

• Mix it with BBQ sauce and eat it as a BBQ chicken sandwich.
• Add salt, pepper, and your favorite seasonings.
• Mix it with teriyaki sauce and serve it over rice.
• Use your favorite dipping sauce (we love homemade Chick-Fil-A sauce)

If you are looking for more chicken recipes, be sure to check out our Best Instant Pot Chicken Recipes!

Should you reheat your chicken or eat it cold?

It is completely up to you! We have lots of recipes below that use cold chicken, but you can also easily reheat it.
We have found that it’s better to reheat your chicken in the oven instead of the microwave if you want the outside to be crispy again (especially if it’s breaded or fried). Here’s how to do that:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.2. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet. Spread the chicken pieces in a single layer on the wire rack.
3. Bake for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

45 Cold Chicken Recipes (Best Leftover Chicken Ideas)

1 Kneaders Copycat Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe

Our Kneaders copycat chicken salad sandwiches recipe is a great replica of our favorite chicken salad recipe. It is perfectly creamy and is seasoned wonderfully to make a great homemade chicken salad sandwich.

2. Green Chile and Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

This Green Chile and Chicken Quesadillas dinner comes together in a matter of minutes with this tried-and-true recipe!

3. Chicken Pasta Casserole with Corn and Zucchini Recipe

Think outside the box with this chicken pasta casserole with corn and zucchini dish! It is one of those delicious and versatile summer pasta recipes that you can have for dinner or serve at a BBQ that everyone will love.

4. Instant Pot Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

Chicken fried rice is a favorite dish of mine, and this Instant Pot chicken fried rice recipe is amazing. It has the delicious soy sauce base for the rice and all of those tasty veggies too, and of course the chicken!

5. BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza Recipe

This BBQ Chicken French Bread Pizza is a budget-friendly, easy dinner recipe that is perfect for busy weeknights. This twist on classic French bread pizza is made with barbecue sauce, chicken, red onion, cilantro and mozzarella cheese.

6. Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos Recipe

These amazing Mexican Street Corn Chicken Tacos are the best chicken tacos you’ll have ever had. They are filled with flavorful chicken and made with the most perfect Mexican street corn recipe.

7. White Chicken Enchilada Casserole Recipe

We love some good enchiladas. Especially when they are an easy dinner and the kids don’t turn up their nose. You will love how quick and simple this White Chicken Enchilada Casserole comes together. It’s sure to be a part of your family dinner rotation.

8. Asian Chopped Chicken Salad Recipe

Chopped Asian Chicken Salad is the perfect recipe for lunch or dinner. Keep things healthy and light with a meal packed with vegetables, tons of protein, and a great kick of flavor.

9. Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad Recipe

This Southwest Chicken Pasta Salad is quick, delicious, and full of amazing flavor. It’s the perfect family dinner for a warm day!

10. 20 Minute Chicken Ranch Tacos Recipe

These Chicken Ranch Tacos take 20 minutes from start to finish and are a fast weeknight dinner when you need something quick!

11. Chicken Zucchini Casserole Recipe

This Chicken Zucchini Casserole is a perfect weeknight dinner because it is easy to make and only uses a few ingredients. This delicious comfort food is made with chicken and zucchini tossed in a cream sauce and topped with stuffing and cooked to perfection.

12. Creamy Chicken and Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Recipe

This creamy, hearty pasta is ready in less than 30 minutes. With grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, and mozzarella cheese it’s a dish everyone will love.

13. Southwest Chicken Salad Recipe

Use a rotisserie chicken to throw together this Southwest Chicken Salad full of vegetables in a matter of minutes. Perfect for a hot summer day when you are craving something fresh.

14. Buffalo Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe

These Buffalo Chicken Salad Sandwiches are a family favorite – they are loaded with flavor and so easy to make!

15. Southwest Chicken Casserole Bake Recipe

This Southwest Chicken Casserole Bake is a simple meal that can be thrown together in a matter of minutes- that everyone always loves!

16. Easy Creamy Chicken Lasagna Recipe

Love lasagna? We do too! And we promise that this Creamy Chicken Lasagna will quickly become a family dinner go-to recipe.

17. Chicken Burrito Bowls Recipe

These Chicken Burrito Bowls are a quick and easy dinner you can throw together using any vegetables you have on hand. The homemade dressing is amazing!

18. Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet Recipe

Chicken and Black Bean Enchilada Skillet is an easy family dinner recipe that can be thrown together in less than 20 minutes!

19. Kneader’s Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich Recipe

If you don’t have a Kneader’s where you live, this Chicken Bacon Avocado Sandwich recipe is a great replica with shredded chicken, bacon, and avocado!

20. Mom’s Easy Chicken Broccoli Casserole (Chicken Divan) Recipe

This Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole is a family favorite – we also call it Chicken Divan at our house. It is so simple to make: add broccoli and chicken to a creamy sauce, top with cheese and serve over cooked rice or potatoes.

21. Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos Recipe

Our Baked Chicken Bacon Ranch Taquitos are tortillas filled with a creamy bacon and chicken mixture and then are baked in the oven instead of fried. Picky eater approved!

22. Alfredo Grilled Chicken Pizza Recipe

A quick and easy dinner that can be thrown together in a matter of minutes using pre-made ingredients. With white sauce, grilled chicken, and loaded with veggies, it’s a hit with kids AND adults.

23. Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie Casserole Recipe

Traditional chicken pot pie filling topped with tater tots – this Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is a family favorite!

24. Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Skillet chicken pot pie is one of the best recipes I have had! It is delightfully creamy, made with fresh vegetables, and a perfect flaky crust to top it off.

25. Pesto Chicken Pasta Casserole Recipe

Our Pesto Chicken Pasta Casserole is made with chicken, tomatoes, spinach, basil, pesto, and cheese. It comes together in just a few minutes and is the perfect weeknight family dinner.

26. Chicken Cordon Bleu French Bread Pizza Recipe

Switch up your pizza night with our quick and easy Chicken Cordon Bleu French Bread Pizza. Just a handful of ingredients and 20 minutes, and your dinner is served.

27. BBQ Chicken and Potato Casserole Recipe

Enjoy our delicious BBQ chicken and potato casserole as a fun and easy chicken casserole to have for dinner. It is a nice hearty dinner filled with mashed potatoes, cheese, chicken and of course BBQ sauce!

28. Mom’s Chicken and Cream Cheese Roll-Ups Recipe

Chicken Pillows, Chicken Roll-Ups or Chicken Pockets – whatever you call these, they’re a kid-friendly dinner favorite. Shredded chicken mixed with cream cheese, mushrooms, and diced onion all rolled up in a delicious, buttery crescent roll.

29. 10 Minute Healthy Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps Recipe

Healthy Chicken Caesar Wraps that are ready in less than 10 minutes . . . perfect for busy weeknights or a quick meal on the go! Fresh and simple, these wraps will become a family favorite.

30. Baked Chicken Flautas Recipe

These Baked Chicken Flautas are simple, delicious, and full of flavor. Top with your favorite guacamole and cheese and it will be a meal your whole family will love.

31. Mom’s Ranch Chicken Salad Sandwiches Recipe

Can you guess the secret ingredient that makes this Chicken Salad Sandwich taste better than any other? Ranch dressing! You’ll love how easy these flavor-packed sandwiches are to throw together for dinner or your next party.

32. Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole Recipe

Ritz cracker chicken casserole recipe produces one tasty, creamy, crunchy, and tender chicken breast entrée! Enjoy this fun take on a breaded chicken breast and add it to your list of great comfort food. Check out the bottom of the post for more easy family favorite recipes!

33. Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas Recipe

Flavorful marinated honey lime chicken wrapped in tortillas and cheese with a creamy white sauce. These enchiladas can also be made ahead of time and frozen for another day!

34. Baked Chicken Chimichangas Recipe

A delicious baked chicken chimichangas recipe, perfect for a weeknight meal. The perfect mixture of creamy and a little spicy, with a tasty homemade green sauce.

35. Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole Recipe

With only 6 ingredients, this Cheesy Chicken Parmesan Pasta Casserole comes together in minutes and makes the perfect busy weeknight meal. It’s a dish your whole family will love.

36. Easy Chicken and Noodle Casserole Recipe

Our creamy chicken and noodle casserole recipe is the perfect weeknight meal. It is super easy to make and has enough for the family.

37. BBQ Chicken Burritos Recipe

I am all about easy and delicious meals, that everyone in my family will eat. Well this recipe is exactly that. These BBQ Chicken Burritos are a hit for all ages. Everyone in my family says these are the BEST. I would have to agree. I love them.

38. Chicken Enchilada Pasta Recipe

This Chicken Enchilada Pasta is quick, simple, and full of Mexican cuisine flavor. Whether you like Mexican food or not, you are going to love this pasta. All my picky eaters asked for seconds, so I consider this recipe a win.

39. BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes Recipe

BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Sweet Potatoes are a healthy recipe filled with flavor. A soft, sweet potato baked in the oven and topped with barbecue chicken, red onion, mozzarella cheese and cilantro.

40. Oven Baked Chicken Tacos Recipe

We love this easy weeknight dinner using rotisserie chicken. Prepped and ready to go within 20 minutes! These Oven Baked Chicken Tacos will quickly become a favorite on your meal rotation.

41. Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole Recipe

I love a quick and healthy dinner, especially when my kids will devour it in minutes. This recipe is picky eater approved and tastes amazing. It’s definitely in our dinner rotation from here on out, it is that tasty.

42. Easy Chicken Street Tacos Recipe

These easy chicken street tacos recipe are the perfect amount of flavor and spice. Your new go-to chicken street tacos for busy nights!

43. Mediterranean Chicken Pita Tacos Recipe

These lightened-up Mediterranean Chicken Pita Tacos make a great weeknight meal. With grilled chicken, fresh cucumber, roma tomatoes, and onion in a whole-wheat pita, you can’t go wrong.

44. Sheet Pan Chicken Pot Pie Recipe

Sheet Pan Chicken Pot Pie is the easiest way to make pot pie!

45. Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole Recipe

Chicken and Broccoli Noodle Casserole is one of those recipes that is simple, easy, and tastes great! It can also be made into a freezer meal for busy nights.

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Have you heard about our newest cookbook, Copycat Cooking? We took over 100 of our favorite restaurant recipes and simplified them so that you can make them right at home!

This cookbook includes copycat recipes from Wingers, Texas Roadhouse, Starbucks, Panera, Cheesecake Factory, Kneaders, and so much more. We have you covered from drinks to dessert and everything in-between.

The best way to store your leftover chicken is in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This will keep it fresh for 3-4 days, giving you plenty of time to experiment with different recipes. Don’t hesitate to get creative and try dishes like chicken and mushroom pies, wild rice bowls with fire-roasted tomatoes, or Indian-inspired chicken curry. With basic ingredients like olive oil, garlic powder, black beans, and cheddar cheese, you can whip up a variety of delicious chicken recipes that your family will love.

Whether you’re a fan of hearty soup, salad recipes, or buffalo sauce-infused dishes, there’s a leftover chicken recipe to suit your preferences. So, the next time you have extra chicken on hand, consider it an opportunity to explore new culinary horizons and discover the many ways you can enjoy the deliciousness of leftover chicken.

We are so excited to share these recipes with you. Order your copy today!

Six Sisters’ Stuff COPYCAT COOKING <—– Click here to order!