What to Cook with Barbecue Chicken: 15 Delicious Recipes

Barbecue chicken is a classic favorite for good reason – it’s flavorful easy to make, and versatile. The smoky sweet barbecue flavor pairs well with all kinds of ingredients, allowing you to get creative with leftovers or take your grilled chicken in new directions. Here are 15 delicious ways to use barbecue chicken in tasty recipes

Transform Leftovers into Entirely New Dishes

Leftover barbecue chicken is a great starting point for all kinds of easy weekday meals Here are some creative ways to give leftovers new life

• BBQ Chicken Pizza – Top a pre-baked pizza crust with shredded barbecue chicken, red onion, cilantro, and mozzarella. Finish with a drizzle of barbecue sauce.

• BBQ Chicken Salad – Toss shredded chicken with mixed greens, corn, black beans, avocado, and ranch or vinaigrette dressing.

• BBQ Chicken Quesadillas – Fill tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce. Grill until crispy.

• BBQ Chicken Sandwich – Pile barbecue pulled chicken onto a bun with pickles and coleslaw.

• BBQ Chicken Pasta – Toss cooked pasta with shredded chicken, roasted vegetables, and a dash of barbecue sauce.

Pair with Fresh Flavors

The richness of barbecue chicken benefits from fresh, bright ingredients like citrus, herbs, and crunchy vegetables. Try:

• BBQ Chicken Tacos – Top corn tortillas with chicken, pico de gallo, avocado, and lime crema.

• BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad – Combine chicken with romaine, corn, tomato, avocado, bell pepper, cilantro, and citrus vinaigrette.

• BBQ Chicken Flatbread – Top flatbread with chicken, arugula, roasted red peppers, goat cheese, and lemon zest.

• BBQ Chicken Summer Rolls – Wrap chicken, carrots, cucumber, and cilantro in rice paper. Serve with peanut or chili sauce.

Complement with Hearty Ingredients

Barbecue chicken pairs nicely with starchy sides, hearty greens, and smoky, charred flavors. Consider making:

• BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes – Stuff baked potatoes with chicken, cheddar, bacon, and barbecue sauce.

• BBQ Chicken & Grits – Serve chicken over cheesy grits with sautéed greens.

• BBQ Chicken Egg Rolls – Wrap chicken, coleslaw mix, and smoked gouda in egg roll wrappers and fry.

• BBQ Chicken Lasagna – Layer lasagna with chicken, smoked mozzarella, caramelized onions, and barbecue sauce.

Elevate with Global Flavors

Add excitement by pairing barbecue chicken with ingredients from around the world. Some ideas:

• BBQ Chicken Banh Mi – Stuff chicken into a baguette with pickled carrots, daikon radish, cucumber, cilantro, and chili mayo.

• BBQ Chicken Naan Pizza – Top naan with chicken, mango chutney, red onion, and feta.

• BBQ Chicken Burrito Bowls – Serve chicken over cilantro-lime rice with black beans, pico de gallo, guacamole, and Mexican crema.

• BBQ Chicken Satay – Skewer chicken and serve with peanut dipping sauce, rice noodles, and Asian slaw.

Make Comforting Casseroles & Bakes

For hearty, family-friendly meals, use barbecue chicken in cozy baked dishes like these:

• BBQ Chicken Pot Pie – Mix chicken with vegetables in a creamy sauce and bake in a pie crust.

• BBQ Chicken Enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with chicken, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce. Top with cheese.

• BBQ Chicken Mac and Cheese – Toss chicken with macaroni and cheddar cheese sauce. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.

• BBQ Chicken Shepherd’s Pie – Layer mashed potatoes over chicken, vegetables, and gravy in a casserole dish.

So try one of these tasty recipes next time you have barbecue chicken! The possibilities are endless for reinventing leftovers or making chicken the star of a fresh new dish.