If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of the fridge wondering what to make for dinner, having some cooked chicken on hand can be a total game changer. Making the protein ahead of time saves both time and energy, especially on busy weeknights. By cooking one or two extra chicken breasts each time you prepare a meal, you can stash them in the freezer and have ready-to-use protein whenever you need it.
It’s one of the easiest meal prep tricks that keeps dinner stress-free. Whether you roast, grill, or use the instant pot to prepare your chicken, having cooked chicken ready to go means you can pull together a delicious, homemade meal in minutes. Best of all, when used creatively, those leftovers don’t have to feel like leftovers at all!
Tips for Making the Most of Leftover Chicken
- Freeze in portions: Shred or chop your chicken before freezing so it’s ready to toss straight into soups, casseroles, or salads. Usually a 1-2 cup portion is what I do. You can freeze it in bags or glass containers.
- Label everything: Add the date and portion size on your freezer bags or containers to make meal planning even easier. Sharpie comes right off of glass to make this easy, you can see my labeling tips in this video.
- Switch up the flavors: Leftover chicken easily takes on new life with different sauces, spices, or fresh veggies. Use a variety of recipes in order to keep things interesting!
- Plan ahead: When you’re already cooking chicken, throw a few extra pieces on the pan or grill. You’ll thank yourself later when dinner comes together in a flash.
Below, I’m sharing four easy, flavorful ways to transform leftover chicken into completely new meals your family will love. These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, or even when you’re trying to clean out the fridge.
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is the ultimate comfort food. I always keep pie crusts and veggies in my freezer so that I can make this meal anytime. I usually will make two and put one whole pie in the freezer to take out on an evening when I don't want to cook!
Get the full recipe here: Chicken Pot Pie
Lemon Chicken Orzo
This is a one pan dinner that I like to make in my Always pan because it's so versatile and the perfect size. Leftovers of this meal can be frozen or stored in the fridge.
Get the full recipe here: Lemon Chicken Orzo
Chicken Noodle Soup
Having already cooked chicken in your freezer makes home chicken noodle soup even faster to make. It's perfect on a cold day or when someone in your home isn't feeling well. This is a special family recipe that we love.
Get the full recipe here: Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken Enchiladas
When it comes to batch cooking, chicken enchiladas are a great place to start. With this one recipe I was able to make 18 enchiladas. That was enough for two dinners plus plenty to put individually in the freezer for a quick grab and go lunch.
Get the full recipe here: Chicken Enchiladas
Rotisserie Chicken
On my monthly grocery trips to Costco I almost always pick up a rotisserie chicken. It gives us something easy to eat for dinner after a long day of grocery shopping. It also provides extra chicken for other meals like the ones listed above. One important note is that rotisserie chicken should only be kept in the fridge for 3-4 days. I usually will put one serving in the fridge if I know that we will eat it within a day or two and the rest goes into the freezer. Check out this video for 5 ways to use rotisserie chicken.
Zero Waste Produce Guide
If you’re looking for more meal ideas, my Zero Waste Produce Guide includes 40 meal ideas! It is available in a hardcover book as well as a digital eBook that you can download to your device. It also has directions for washing and storing 75 produce items to help you reduce waste and always have fresh produce in your home to make meals with.
No More Boring Leftovers
Having leftover chicken doesn’t have to mean eating the same meal twice. With a little creativity and planning ahead, you can turn one simple protein into multiple delicious, no-fuss meals that make weeknight cooking effortless.
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