Do you have leftover store bought rotisserie chicken sitting around?
Check out these 12+ amazing and nutritious ways to salvage that leftover piece of meat and give it new life!
Roast chicken is a classic dinner in most homes but it often loses its luster after the first meal.
Thankfully, there are ways to save that beloved chicken meat from ending up in the trash. From salads and soups to delicious casseroles, leftover chicken makes a great protein source.
Depending on seasonings used, roast chicken is naturally Paleo, Low Carb, and Whole30. It’s a wonderful source of protein that could be used as a base for various meals. Especially for a “too tired to cook” night!
What are some easy ways to make healthy meals?
Soups, salads, and casseroles are an efficient way to sneak in nutrient-dense ingredients.
Boost nutrition with these 4 simple action steps:
- use fermented dressings such as yogurt or lacto-fermented mayonnaise for salads
- add potatoes, asparagus, onions, and greens to your salads for gut health — they’re a great source of prebiotics (food for your probiotics)
- add dark leafy greens like kale and spinach to casseroles
- be sure to have plenty mineral-rich bone broth on hand for those nutritious and delicious soups
What can you make with leftover chicken?
So many yummy things!
What better protein to use in easy soups, salads, and casseroles than leftover chicken? It’s readily available, economical, and loved by many people.
Whether rotisserie, baked, or poached, leftover chicken is a healthy and convenient protein source to add to these recipes.
If you need ideas, here are 12 delicious leftover chicken recipes to get you started!
Chicken Salads With Leftover Chicken
Image courtesy of I Heart Umami.
Does the internet need more easy chicken salads? Yes, yes it does!
But these aren’t your plain ol’ chicken salads. They have a certain flair and touch to them that will convince you to give them a try.
The biggest problem with chicken salads, in my opinion, is dry chicken. Thankfully, these delicious salad recipes are anything but dry.
They are full of amazing flavor and nutrient-dense ingredients.
Always do your best to source the best ingredients you can find. For those salads that call for mayonnaise, make your own and take it one step further by fermenting it for extra nutrition.
Chicken Salad Recipes
Apricot Almond and Tarragon Chicken Salad (Paleo, Keto, GAPS, Whole30)
This tangy salad calls for all white meat chicken, sweet apricots, crunchy almonds and some fresh tarragon. Be sure to source apricots without added sugar for best quality.
Healthy Probiotic Potato Salad (Paleo, Whole30)
This Healthy Potato Salad is nutrient dense with live probiotics, resistant starch, healthy fats, and protein to make it a light meal.
Chopped Chicken Salad with Ranch (Paleo, Whole30, GAPS)
A meal in and of itself, this chopped chicken salad encompasses crispy romaine, chicken, tomatoes, avocados, and cucumbers in a homemade dairy-free ranch dressing.
Crispy Thai Chicken Salad (Paleo, Whole30, GAPS)
Move over dry, flavorless, and boring chicken! The star is undoubtedly the crispy chicken smothered in Thai-inspired dressing. Tossed with shallots, scallions, tomatoes, and a granny smith apple, this salad will soon become a favorite.
Chicken Soups with Leftover Chicken
Image courtesy of Wicked Spatula.
Amazing flavors ensue when love of rotisserie chicken is combined with soup.
Pull out that nutrient-dense bone broth from the back of the freezer and a few cups of leftover chicken, add some other odds and ends, and you have yourself a hearty, nourishing soup.
Soup made out of leftover rotisserie or other previously cooked chicken gives you the biggest bank for your buck.
For most soups, 1 to 2 cups of leftover chicken is sufficient to get really great flavor and texture to kick up the soup another notch. That means, an average chicken can produce enough chicken meat for 2 to 3 different soups.
From classic noodle soup to fancy-inspired versions, these wonderfully nourishing soups take advantage of leftover roast chicken and give it a new life for pennies on the dollar.
Chicken Soup Recipes
Nourishing Pastured Chicken Stew (Paleo, Whole30, Primal, GAPS if potatoes are omitted)
With creamy chicken, this easy stew is rich in nutrition from bone broth, hearty veggies and squash puree.
Green Chile Chicken Soup (Paleo, Whole30, Primal, GAPS)
A super easy slow cooker recipe in under 10 minutes of prep time… yet with so much flavor.
Chicken Pot Pie Soup (Gluten-free & Dairy-free options) This soup made on the stove top, in the Instant Pot, or in the Crock Pot will be your new family favorite! It’s creamy dreamy with less work and no crust.
Immune Boosting Chicken Noodle Soup (Egg-free, Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Paleo option, Low Carb option)
Nourishing and full of detoxifying properties, this soup whips up easilywith just 8 ingredients. Make this entirely grain-freeuse vegetable noodles.
Thai Coconut Soup with Chicken and Lemongrass (Paleo, Whole30, GAPS)
With fragrant flavors of curry, ginger, and lemongrass, this soup will become a favorite in no time. Amazingly, this recipe takes a quick 30 minutes to prepare.
Chicken Casseroles With Leftover Chicken
Image courtesy of Prepare & Nourish.
Casseroles are always a hit at dinners big and small. They are so convenient as home cooks pile everything in a casserole dish, stick it in the oven and call it good!
These one-dish wonders are ideal for busy weeknights as well as special weekend dinner parties. Previously cooked chicken helps you get dinner on the table quickly and effortlessly.
Generally, casseroles make great affordable meals.
And these easy leftover chicken recipes are no exception. Some of them call for inexpensive pantry staples while others are laced with humble veggies such as cabbage. Regardless, these leftover chicken recipes are a great option for any time of the week with any food budget.
Just throw in some dinner rolls or 30-Minute Smashed Baby Potatoes and a simple salad for a well-rounded dinner.
Leftover Chicken Casserole Recipes
Chicken Pot Pie (Keto, Low Carb, Primal, GAPS if xanthan gum is omitted)
This is a freezer friendly casserole (just read the notes on xanthan gum) as well as a great leftover meal. And who would be mad at ingredients like cheese, chicken, green beans and heavy cream to top all that?
Chicken Cabbage Casserole (Low Carb, Primal, GAPS)
This easy chicken bake is a healthy one-pan meal on a busy weeknight or a delicious side dish for a large party. It is satiating, delicious, and quick to pull together.
Chicken Alfredo Casserole (Keto, Low Carb, Primal, GAPS)
A casserole of leftover chicken, mushrooms, and spinach smothered in creamy Alfredo sauce and baked to cheesy perfection.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (Keto, Low Carb, Primal, GAPS)
A cheesy chicken bake that the whole family will love. Quick and easy with just 7 common ingredients, 5 minutes of prep time and an option of 2 different ways to make this deliciousness.
What is your favorite healthy leftover chicken recipe?
Main images courtesy of The Organic Kitchen and Calm Eats.
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