12 Delicious Ways to Use Up Leftover Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken is a summer staple. When the weather is nice, it’s hard to beat the smoky flavor and juicy texture of chicken fresh off the grill. However, grilling multiple pieces of chicken often leads to leftovers. While chilled grilled chicken makes a tasty snack, eating it plain day after day can get boring. Luckily, there are many delicious ways to repurpose leftover grilled chicken and give it new life in a variety of dishes.

In this article, we’ll explore 12 amazing recipes that transform leftovers into totally new creations. From hearty main dishes to light salads and savory sandwiches, these creative ideas will help you get the most out of your grilled chicken. With a little imagination, you can reinvent those leftovers into exciting new meals your family will love.

Make Chicken Salad

One of the easiest ways to use up grilled chicken is to make chicken salad. Simply chop or shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Then mix it with mayonnaise, chopped celery, halved red grapes, and chopped toasted almonds or pecans. Season with salt, pepper, lemon juice and chopped fresh parsley. Enjoy scooped onto a bed of lettuce, stuffed into a pita or sandwich bread, or wrapped in lettuce leaves for a lighter option.

Toss it in a Taco Salad

Leftover chicken also shines in a Mexican-inspired taco salad. Roughly chop the grilled chicken and toss it in a bowl with mixed greens, chopped tomatoes, diced avocado, canned black beans, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, sliced jalapeños, and crumbled tortilla chips. Top with your favorite salsa or taco sauce and ranch or cilantro-lime dressing. The smoky chicken pairs perfectly with the Tex-Mex flavors.

Make Chicken Fried Rice

Stir-fries are a great way to use small amounts of leftover meat and veggies To make quick chicken fried rice, heat sesame oil in a wok or skillet. Sauté minced garlic, frozen peas and carrots, chopped scallions and cubed grilled chicken Add chilled cooked rice and soy sauce and toss everything together. Top with chopped cilantro and sriracha for an easy weeknight dinner.

Mix up a Curry Bowl

Love Indian food? Transform grilled chicken into a flavorful curry bowl. Heat coconut oil in a pan and cook diced onion and curry powder briefly. Add coconut milk, chopped grilled chicken, chickpeas, chopped cauliflower and simmer. Serve over rice and garnish with cilantro, chopped nuts and a squeeze of lime. Feel free to substitute different veggies like sweet potatoes or spinach.

Build a Protein Bowl

Protein bowls make an easy, balanced meal using whatever ingredients you have on hand. Simply pile quinoa, brown rice or another whole grain into a bowl. Top with grilled chicken, roasted veggies like broccoli, sweet potatoes or brussels sprouts, avocado and shredded cabbage. Drizzle with your favorite dressing like tahini, ranch or lemon vinaigrette. Customize with whatever toppings sound good.

Mix up a Hearty Pasta Salad

Cool pasta salads are a delicious way to stretch leftover chicken. Cook pasta like farfalle, rotini or elbows according to package directions Toss with diced grilled chicken, halved cherry tomatoes, chopped bell peppers, shredded carrots, sliced black olives, chopped cucumber and crumbled feta cheese. Add Italian dressing and let chill before serving Sprinkle with chopped fresh basil or parsley.

Make Chicken & Vegetable Soup

When the weather cools off, use leftover chicken in a hearty soup. Sauté aromatics like onion, garlic and celery. Add chicken or vegetable broth, grilled chicken, carrots, potatoes and green beans. Let simmer until veggies are tender. Stir in milk or heavy cream and spinach at the end. Season with salt, pepper, thyme and parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread for dipping.

Bake Chicken Pot Pie

For the ultimate comfort food, leftover chicken is perfect in pot pie. Make your own pie crust or use store-bought. Fill ramekins or a pie plate with grilled chicken, frozen peas and carrots, corn, onion and celery. Whisk together cream, chicken broth, flour and seasonings and pour over the filling. Top with second crust, brush with egg wash and bake until golden. Serve with mashed potatoes or salad.

Toss with Pasta

Quick weeknight pastas are a breeze with pre-cooked chicken. Sauté chopped onions, bell pepper, zucchini and garlic in olive oil. Add halved cherry tomatoes, chopped grilled chicken, and cooked pasta like penne, farfalle or rigatoni. Toss everything together and season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, lemon zest and Parmesan cheese. Finish with chopped fresh basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

Make BBQ Chicken Pizza

Pizza night gets an upgrade with grilled chicken. Pre-bake pizza crusts or use ready-made crusts. Spread with barbecue sauce then top with shredded mozzarella. Add grilled chicken, red onion, cilantro and diced pineapple or mango. Bake until cheese melts. Add a drizzle of ranch dressing for extra flavor. Serve immediately for hot and bubbly pizza fresh from the oven.

Stuff into Empanadas

For an appetizer twist, stuff grilled chicken in empanada dough. Sauté onions, garlic, corn and spices like cumin and chili powder. Mix in shredded grilled chicken. Cut rounds from empanada dough and fill half of each with the chicken filling. Fold dough over and crimp edges with a fork to seal. Bake at 400°F until golden. Serve warm with salsa, guacamole or sour cream for dipping.

Make BBQ Chicken Nachos

Game day nachos get a protein boost with leftover chicken. Layer tortilla chips on a baking sheet and top with grilled chicken, black beans, sliced jalapeños, shredded cheese, diced tomatoes and scallions. Bake until cheese melts. Remove from oven, drizzle with barbecue sauce and top with guacamole, salsa and sour cream. The cheesy chips make the perfect vehicle for the smoky shredded chicken.

Mix up Chicken Salad Sandwiches

For an easy lunch or light dinner, make tasty chicken salad sandwiches. Combine shredded grilled chicken with mayonnaise, diced celery, halved red grapes, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, salt, pepper and chopped parsley. Spread onto whole grain bread or croissants. Top with lettuce, tomato and avocado slices. The chicken salad also works well scooped into a lettuce wrap for a lower carb option.

The Possibilities are Endless

As you can see, grilled chicken leftovers can be transformed into an endless variety of dishes. From hearty mains to light salads and savory sandwiches, the smoky grilled flavor pairs deliciously with global spices, vegetables and sauces. With a little creativity, you can give new life to leftover chicken and whip up exciting meals for your family. Grilled chicken is tasty straight from the grill, but it also forms a fantastic base for leftovers the whole family will devour.