15 Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover Cooked Chicken Thighs

Cooked chicken thighs are incredibly versatile. They can be used in a variety of dishes, from hearty casseroles to fresh salads. With a bit of creativity, you can transform leftover cooked chicken thighs into delicious new meals for your family. Here are 15 creative ways to use up leftover cooked chicken thighs:

Make Chicken Salad

Chicken salad is a classic way to use up leftover chicken Shred or dice the cooked chicken thighs and mix with mayonnaise, lemon juice, celery, onions, herbs, and other favorite ingredients. Serve the chicken salad between slices of bread or stuffed into a pita for a satisfying sandwich. You can also serve chicken salad over a bed of lettuce for a lighter meal

Stir-Fry with Vegetables

Slice or shred the cooked chicken thighs and stir-fry with fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrots bell peppers and snap peas. Toss everything with a flavorful stir-fry sauce made with ingredients like soy sauce, sesame oil garlic and ginger. Serve over rice for a quick and healthy dinner.

Add to Soups

Cooked chicken is a great addition to many soups. Dice or shred the chicken thighs and add to soups like chicken noodle, minestrone, tortilla soup or creamy tomato soup. The chicken adds extra protein and flavor.

Make Enchiladas

For an easy weeknight meal, fill corn tortillas with shredded chicken thighs, cheese and enchilada sauce. Roll up and bake until hot and melty. Top with extra cheese, cilantro, avocado and serve with Spanish rice.

Chicken Tetrazzini

Transform spaghetti and cooked chicken thighs into a casserole by combining with a creamy sauce, mushrooms, peas and Parmesan cheese. Sprinkle breadcrumbs or crushed crackers on top and bake until bubbling and crispy.

Chicken Pot Pie

Make individual pot pies by filling ramekins with diced cooked chicken, vegetables like peas, carrots and celery, and a creamy sauce. Top with pie crust and bake until golden. Quick, cute and delicious!

Chicken Quesadillas

Load tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack, sautéed peppers and onions. Grill the quesadillas in a skillet until the cheese melts. Serve with salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

Chicken Tacos

Shredded chicken thighs make fantastic tacos. Fill corn or flour tortillas with the chicken, then load up with toppings like salsa, cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado.

Chicken Pizza

Use cooked chicken as a pizza topping instead of sausage or pepperoni. Shred or dice the chicken and scatter over prepared pizza dough with other toppings like cheese, mushrooms, peppers and onions.

Chicken Salad Wraps

Make chicken salad with the cooked chicken thighs and wrap up in flour tortillas or lettuce leaves for a quick, on-the-go handheld meal.

Chicken Noodle Casserole

This comforting casserole combines egg noodles, chicken thighs, cream of chicken soup, cheese and vegetables like peas and carrots. Top with crushed crackers or fried onions and bake until bubbly.

Chicken Fried Rice

Stir small pieces of cooked chicken into fried rice with vegetables and eggs scrambled in. The chicken adds extra flavor and protein.

Chicken Caesar Salad

Chopped cooked chicken turns a green salad into a chicken Caesar salad. Toss romaine lettuce, chicken thighs, Parmesan cheese, croutons and Caesar dressing for a hearty main dish salad.

Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches

Fill a crusty baguette with sliced cooked chicken, cucumber, cilantro, pickled carrots and daikon radish for a Vietnamese-style sandwich. Spread with spicy mayo or Sriracha for extra flavor.

Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Another tasty sandwich idea is to mix chopped chicken thighs with mayo, cranberries, celery, pecans, mustard and other favorite ingredients. Spoon onto whole grain bread or croissants.

So instead of eating leftover cooked chicken thighs plain, try one of these creative recipes. Your family will love these tasty chicken dishes!