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Easy left over roast chicken recipes

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A budget friendly collection of delicious recipes that can be made using leftover roast chicken, perfect for weekday dinners.

Any leftovers from roast chicken can easily be incorporated into weekday meals, so you need never let any go to waste.

From simple snacks to tasty casseroles and everyone's favourite chicken pie and with recipes here you will be able to find the perfect recipe to make sure you make the most of all the meat from your roast chicken.

collage of 9 leftover roast chicken recipes.

Enjoyed a roast and now wondering what to do with the leftovers?


While some people may see it as a chore deciding what to do with leftovers from a roast dinner I find it more of a blessing, especially when it comes to chicken as it is such a versatile meat.


Indeed, one of the main reasons I love cooking my easy roast chicken at the weekend,  is that  I often have enough leftover chicken that I can easily make into one or even two more meals.

Sometimes these weekday meals may be as simple as serving cold chicken with a jacket potato and some coleslaw or some homemade oven chips. Other times I make them into something completely different. 

So if you are wondering what to make with your leftover roast chicken look no further. Once you have had your fill, remove the remaining chicken and get it into the refrigerator as soon as possible and then decide which of the following delicious recipes you are going to make with your leftovers.


Easy leftover roast chicken recipes


From substantial homemade chicken pies to easy chicken nachos from curry to creamy casseroles there is something for everyone. Choose what to do with your leftover chicken from what other ingredients you have to hand or from the amount of leftovers you have. Either way there is plenty of choice in this collection of easy leftover roast chicken recipes, which require from as little as 200g (7oz) to 450g (1lb) of leftover cooked chicken. 


Money saving recipes

Of course, making sure you use every scrap of chicken means that you will be making the most of every penny you spent on the chicken for roasting in the first place. But you are also saving money using the leftover chicken to make recipes that otherwise call for using individual prepared portions of the chicken. 

That is because you pay a premium for someone to cut up and prepare and package the chicken pieces. So you will always save money buying a whole chicken, not to mention saving time when it comes to making the additional meals with your leftovers.


 Cook’s Notes

It is important to mention a few points on food safety:

  • Chill or freeze your leftover chicken as soon as possible after roasting and within 2 hours. Store in an airtight container.
  • When reheating chicken whether using chilled or frozen make sure it is heated until piping hot.  
  • Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 1 month. Once frozen and thawed you must never refreeze chicken.

And dont forget about stock!

And while you are at it why not make some delicious homemade chicken stock from the carcass. 

Chicken pies

In the winter we like to make pies with our leftover chicken as they make great filling winter comfort meals. My two favourite pies for using up cooked chicken are Chicken and Mushroom and Chicken and Chorizo adapted from a pie I first made to use up turkey at Christmas

Chicken and Mushroom Pie
This classic deep pie is as popular now as it has always been. Easy to make and a great recipe for using up leftover cooked chicken.
Requiring just 350g (12oz) of chicken it stretches a small amount of leftovers a long way. You could also add any left over veggies from the roast to the filling too.
Recipe
chicken and mushroom pie with portion removed.
  • Serves: 4 – 6
  • Amount of leftover chicken required:350g (12oz)
  • Total Time: 1 hr 25 minutes
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Follow the recipe as written as this recipe was originally developed using leftover roast chicken.
Turkey and Chorizio Pot Pie
This quick and easy Turkey and Chorizo Pot Pie uses leftover turkey but it works equally well with chicken. The chorizo adds lots of flavour to really liven up your taste buds.
The recipe uses ready made puff pastry for speed but you could use homemade or ready made shortcrust instead. .
Recipe
turkey and chorizo pie in a dish with filling on a serving spoon.
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 300-400g (10oz-14oz)
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Replace the cooked turkey with leftover cooked chicken.
  • Total Time: 50 minutes.

Risotto

When we haven't really planned ahead risotto is our go-to recipe for using up leftover chicken. As we always have risotto rice in the cupboard and there is usually something in the fridge we can use alongside, in this case it is leeks.

Risotto is ideal if you only have a little leftover roast chicken.

Chicken and Leek Risotto
Cooked in a pressure cooker or by the traditional method risotto is a firm favourite for using up leftover roast chicken. If you don't have any leeks, replace with one onion and add some peas and chopped mint with the chicken for a tasty alternative.
Recipe
Recipes Made Easy chicken or turkey and leek risotto
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 250g (9oz)
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Follow the recipe as written as this recipe was originally developed using leftover roast chicken.
  • Total Time: 45 minutes cooked conventionally, 20 minutes in the pressure cooker.

Chicken curry

Curry is perhaps the obvious choice for using up leftover cooked meats. I have two chicken curry recipes that can be easily adapted to use leftover chicken. The first is a spicy tomato-based curry, the other a mild korma style curry.

Spice Chicken Curry
A quick and easy tomato based chicken curry which make an ideal midweek meal.
You can easily adapt the spiciness of this easy spicy chicken curry recipe which makes a quick and easy midweek meal for anyone who likes a little spice in their life.
Recipe
two plates of spicy chicken curry served with rice.
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 400–450g (14oz-1lb)
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Add the chicken instep 4 and cook with the spices for 1 to 2 minutes before continuing with the recipe.
  • Total Time: 35 minutes.
Easy Chicken Curry
A beginners curry ideal for anyone who thinks they don't like curry perhaps from the experience of an overly hot curry they have eaten before. This chicken curry is a mild Korma style with soft gentle spices and a creamy coconut and almond flavoured curry sauce. While the creamy coconut milk will always temper the heat slightly, if you like your curries hot, you can always substitute the Korma curry paste with a hotter curry paste.
Recipe
easy chciken curry servd with rice and a sprinkling of flaked almonds.
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 400–450g (14oz-1lb)
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Follow the recipe as directed from step 2 and reduce the simmering time to 20 minutes.
  • Total Time: 25 minutes.

Chicken stir fries

These are also perfect for using up not only leftover roast chicken but also using up the odds and sods that get left in the fridge. So feel free to adapt these simple recipes to with any vegetables that need using up.

Nutty chicken stir fry
Stir fries are quick and easy to make. Once you have all the ingredients prepared they take just minutes to cook. This Nutty Chicken Stir Fry is no exception making it an ideal midweek meal when you need to get something tasty and on the table quick. Using leftover roast chicken makes it even quicker. A win win!
Recipe
plate of nutty chicken stir fry with noodles and fork on the side
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 400–450g (14oz-1lb)
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Prepare the ingredients then heat 2 teaspoons of oil and continue from step 2.
  • Total Time: 20 minutes.
Easy chicken noodle stir fry
Quick and tasty, this easy chicken noodle stir fry is perfect when you don't have much time to spend in the kitchen. Use it as a starting point and vary the vegetables according to what you have available. Leftover veggies from your roast could also be added in the last few minutes of cooking.
Recipe
easy-chicken-noodle-stir-fry
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 300–450g (10oz)
  • Total Time: 35 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Combine the ingredients for the marinade, then mix the cornflour to a paste with a little of the marinade before stirring the remaining marinade. Omit step 3 and 4 and add the chicken with the marinade and stock and cook for a few minutes until piping hot before adding the noodles.

Chicken salads

Of course, you can just serve the leftover roast chicken with a side salad for a simple meal but why not make your salads that little bit more interesting and flavourful.

Chicken and Brie Salad
You do not need a lot of chicken to add to this tasty, colourful summer salad.The Brie provides extra protein and the peaches and nuts add taste and texture. Replace the griddled chicken with bite sized pieces of leftover chicken.
Recipe
serving of warm chicken and brie salad with griddled peaches
  • Serves: 4 – 6
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 300g (10oz)
  • Total Time: 15 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Simply replace the griddled chicken with cold leftover chicken.
Chicken noodle salad with sweet chilli dressing
This chicken noodle salad is a fresh tasting salad with noodles and strips of chargrilled chicken tossed in a sweet chilli dressing. This salad can be served cold using leftover chicken
Recipe
chicken noodle salad in bowl with dressing spooned over.
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 300g (10oz)
  • Total Time: 15 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Make the salad replacing the chicken breasts with leftover chicken. Drain the noodles,  then rinse in cold water and drain again before combining all the ingredients for the salad together.
Chicken and Asparagus Caesar Salad
Salads don't get much better than this Chicken and Asparagus Caesar Salad. This is a lovely main meal salad that really doesn't take long to rustle up. Its good enough to serve when entertaining friends and would also make a great starter. My classic Caesar Salad Dressing is easy to make and will keep for several days in the fridge so you can make it in advance.
Recipe
Serving bowl of chicken Caesar salad with asparagus. Bowl of Caesar salad dressing behind.
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 400g (14oz)
  • Time using leftover roast chicken: 15 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Simply replace the griddled chicken in the recipe with leftover roast chicken.

Other recipes for using up leftover roast chciken

Easy chicken nachos
This fun and tasty snack is popular with young and young at heart. Easy chicken nachos, layers of crisp tortillas, spicy chicken and cheese, what's not to like. Perfect as a TV snack, or light meal.
Recipe
easy chicken nachos on a tray on the table, with hands picking up the tortilla chips
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 200g (7oz)
  • Total Time: 18 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Omit step 2 and add chopped leftover cooked chicken with the tomatoes.
Pancakes with creamy garlic, chicken and mushrooms
Delicious savoury pancakes filled with creamy garlic chicken and mushrooms would make a perfect supper dish on pancake day, or any other day! The filling is easy to make and ideal for using up any leftover roast chicken.
Recipe
Quick and easy to make savoury pancakes are filled with creamy garlic chicken and mushrooms. recipe by recipesmadeeasy.co.uk
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 225g (8oz)
  • Total Time: 35 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Follow the recipe as written as this recipe was originally developed using leftover roast chicken.
Chicken and Broccoli Au Gratin
Chicken and Broccoli au Gratin is a quick and easy recipe which makes a great midweek meal. It can be served on its own or for a more substantial dish with potatoes pasta or rice on the side.
Recipe
Chicken and broccoli au gratin in dish with serving spoon. plates in background
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 400–450g (14oz-1lb)
  • Total Time: 35 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Follow recipe skipping step 3. Add the roast chicken to the thickened sauce and cook until the chicken is piping hot about 4-5 minutes. Then complete as per the recipe.
Creamy Mustard Chicken
A quick to prepare chicken casserole flavoured with Crème fraîche and wholegrain mustard. Ideal for a mid-week family meal. Ring the changes by leaving out the potatoes and simmering for just 20 minutes and serve with rice or pasta.
Recipe
Close up of the casserole dish with creamy mustard chicken
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 400–450g (14oz-1lb)
  • Total Time: 25 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Follow recipe skipping step 1. Add the roast chicken after 20 minutes cooking and continue as per the recipe.
A simple turkey soup
As with most soups of this kind it is very easy to make. Simply sauté some vegetables, add a little flour to thicken it slightly, add the turkey or in this case chicken and stock and cook for about 30 minutes until the vegetables are very tender and the flavours have blended. Job done!
Recipe
turkey soup with sage croûtes
  • Serves: 4
  • Amount of leftover chicken required: 350g (12oz)
  • Total Time: 40 minutes.
  • How to adapt to use leftover chicken: Simply replace the cooked turkey with leftover cooked chicken.

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About Jacqueline Bellefontaine

Jacqueline is a member of the Guild of Food Writers and has been a cookery writer and food stylist for over 25 years. She has written over 15 cookery books, in addition to writing for several major magazines. She likes to champion good basic home cooking and as the daughter of a master baker, she is passionate about home baking.

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