What To Do With Chicken Carcass: 10 Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Bones

Chicken carcasses and bones are incredibly versatile ingredients that most people toss out without a second thought. However with a little creativity you can transform leftover chicken bones into nutritious and delicious meals. Here are 10 great ways to use up chicken carcasses and make the most of your ingredients.

1. Make Chicken Stock

One of the most obvious uses for leftover chicken bones is to make homemade chicken stock. Simmering bones in water extracts collagen, vitamins, and minerals, resulting in a nutritious and flavorful liquid that forms the base for soups, stews, risotto, and more

To make chicken stock place the carcass and any leftover meat and skin in a pot. Add chopped vegetables like carrots celery, and onions. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook for at least 2 hours, skimming off any foam that rises to the top. Strain the liquid and you have homemade chicken stock ready for any recipe!

2. Prepare Bone Broth

For an even more nutritious version, simmer the bones longer to extract more collagen and make chicken bone broth. Bone broth simmers for at least 12 hours, allowing more nutrients like amino acids, minerals, and gelatin to seep out of the bones. This nourishing liquid has recently gained popularity for its potential health benefits.

Making bone broth follows the same process as stock, but requires longer cooking times. Try simmering a chicken carcass with vegetables for 12-24 hours to get a mineral-rich, collagen-filled bone broth perfect for drinking on its own or using in soups and stews.

3. Make Chicken Soup

A hot bowl of homemade chicken soup is comfort food at its finest. To transform your chicken carcass into soup, start by making a stock or bone broth using the method above. Shred any leftover chicken meat and add it back to the pot along with vegetables, noodles, rice, or other mix-ins.

Chicken soup is a great way to get every last bit of flavor and nutrition out of your leftover bones. Try adding carrots, celery, onions, parsley, potatoes, or any vegetables you have on hand. Season with salt, pepper, bay leaves, or other herbs and spices. Serve piping hot with a side of crusty bread.

4. Prepare Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate one-pot comfort food, and the perfect way to stretch a single chicken carcass into multiple meals. Once you’ve made your stock, return the shredded chicken, stock, and any vegetables to the pot.

Make simple dumpling dough by mixing together flour, baking powder, salt, milk, and egg. Drop spoonfuls of dough into the soup, cover, and simmer until the dumplings are cooked through, about 15 minutes. The result is a hearty and soul-warming dish the whole family will love.

5. Make Chicken and Rice Soup

Another classic chicken soup variation is chicken and rice. Simply prepare stock using the carcass and meat as described above. Shred the chicken and return it to the pot along with cooked rice, vegetables, and seasonings.

Some tasty additions include mushrooms, peas, carrots, Parmesan cheese, and fresh herbs. The rice absorbs flavors from the stock while adding heartiness. This easy soup makes an excellent leftover meal and can be customized with whatever ingredients are in your fridge.

6. Prepare Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a delicious and versatile way to repurpose leftover roasted or rotisserie chicken. To make it, simply shred or chop cooked chicken and combine it with mayonnaise, mustard, celery, onions, and any other chopped vegetables you like. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice or herbs to taste.

Chicken salad is great served alone, on bread or crackers, stuffed into a pita or wrap, or on top of a fresh salad. Turn leftover bones into stock while transforming the meat into this tasty, protein-packed dish.

7. Make Chicken Pot Pie

For the ultimate comfort food, turn your chicken carcass into homemade chicken pot pie. First, simmer the bones to make a hearty chicken stock. Shred and chop the chicken meat and saute with onions, carrots, peas, and any other vegetables you want.

Make a simple sauce by whisking together flour, butter, chicken stock, milk, and seasoning. Place the chicken mixture into a casserole dish, pour the sauce over, and top with a layer of store-bought or homemade biscuit dough. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown for a from-scratch pot pie everyone will love.

8. Prepare Chicken Tacos

Spice up those leftovers with some Mexican flavors. Simmer the bones for stock. Shred the chicken and toss with onions, peppers, beans, corn, cumin, chili powder, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Serve in warm tortillas or taco shells for an easy weeknight dinner.

Top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, avocado, and salsa. Refried beans and Spanish rice make great accompaniments. Getting creative with seasonings keeps the flavors exciting.

9. Make Chicken Pizza

Pizza night gets a protein boost when you top the crust with shredded chicken. Make homemade or store-bought pizza dough. Spread with tomato sauce and sprinkle on mozzarella cheese. Top with sliced onions, mushrooms, peppers, olives, or any other favorite pizza toppings.

Scatter shredded chicken over the top and bake until the cheese is melted and crust is crispy. Kids and adults alike will love this fun twist on leftover chicken. Drizzle with ranch or barbecue sauce for extra flavor.

10. Prepare Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice is a great way to stretch smaller amounts of leftover meat into an entire meal. Cook white or brown rice according to package directions. Toss the cooked rice in a skillet with sesame oil, shredded chicken, peas, carrots, onions, and eggs.

Season with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and other desired spices. The rice soaks up all the delicious flavors while stretching a single chicken carcass into multiple portions. fried rice also makes fantastic use of any other leftovers or veggies you need to use up.

With a little creativity, it’s easy to transform leftover chicken bones and meat into delicious new dishes. From nourishing soups and stews to satisfying comfort foods, put those carcasses to work flavoring and fortifying a variety of nutritious meals to enjoy all week long. With a simple simmering of the bones and some basic ingredients on hand, you can make the most of what might otherwise be forgotten leftovers.