Cooking a whole chicken at home can seem intimidating, but it opens up a world of delicious and economical meal possibilities. With a roast chicken, the options for leftovers are endless. In this article, we’ll explore 26 amazing things you can make with a whole chicken.
Roast the Whole Bird
The most obvious thing to do with a whole chicken is to roast it simply with some olive oil salt and pepper. This gives you a basic roasted chicken that you can use in many other recipes. Roasting produces juicy, tender meat and crispy golden skin when cooked at a high temperature. The cavity can be stuffed with lemons, garlic, and herbs for extra flavor.
Some easy roasting options include
- Mayonnaise Roasted Chicken – Mayonnaise makes an incredible crispy skin.
- Lemon Garlic Roast Chicken – Lemons, garlic, and herbs are classic aromatics.
- Ginger Orange Roast Chicken – For a holiday twist.
Shred and Use in Recipes
Once cooked, the chicken can be shredded or chopped and used in all kinds of delicious dishes. Having shredded chicken ready to go is great for quick weeknight meals.
Some recipes to use shredded chicken in
- Enchiladas, burritos, tacos, and other Mexican dishes
- Pasta dishes like chicken Alfredo or chicken casseroles
- Chicken salad with mayo, fruits, nuts, and veggies
- Stir fries, fried rice, and other Asian noodle dishes
- Soups, chilis, and stews for extra protein
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Pizza and flatbreads
Make Bone Broth
After removing the meat, simmer the chicken bones to make a nutritious bone broth. This can be used as a base for soups, stews, risotto, or just enjoyed as a soothing drink. The collagen from the bones enriches the broth with minerals that are great for gut health. It freezes well too.
Use the Carcass for Soup
Chicken soup is a classic way to use up a leftover carcass. Simply simmer the bones with aromatics like onions, carrots, and celery to extract maximum flavor. Shred any remaining chicken meat to add to the soup along with noodles or rice. Options include chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, or chicken and dumplings.
Make Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a simple way to repurpose leftover chicken. Mix chopped chicken with mayonnaise, celery, onion, grapes, pecans, lemon juice, and seasonings. Enjoy in a sandwich or over greens for a light meal.
Chicken Casserole Dishes
Casseroles are a satisfying way to stretch leftover chicken into a whole new meal. Some easy casserole ideas include:
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole – With tortillas, cheese, beans, and enchilada sauce.
- Chicken Divan – Chicken, broccoli, rice, cheese, and cream of chicken soup.
- Chicken Pot Pie – Chicken with vegetables in a creamy sauce topped with biscuits.
- King Ranch Chicken – Chicken, cream of chicken soup, cheese, and tortilla chips.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Chicken salad makes excellent sandwich fillings when mixed with mayo and veggies. Some tasty options include:
- Classic chicken salad with grapes, pecans, celery, and mayo.
- Buffalo chicken salad with hot sauce, blue cheese, and celery.
- BBQ chicken salad with cheddar, barbecue sauce, and onion.
- Waldorf chicken salad with apples, walnuts, raisins, and lemon juice.
Quesadillas, Tacos and Burritos
Spice up leftover chicken in Mexican dishes like quesadillas, tacos, burritos, flautas, and enchiladas. You can add veggies, beans, rice, salsa, guacamole, cheese, etc. The options are endless!
Chicken Pizza and Flatbreads
Pizza and flatbreads are a great way to repurpose shredded chicken. Top pita breads, naan, or pizza crust with chicken, veggies, and cheese for easy individual meals.
Add to Pasta Dishes
Toss shredded chicken into pasta dishes like chicken Alfredo, chicken Parmesan, chicken pesto pasta, or chicken carbonara for extra protein. The chicken will soak up the tasty sauces.
Use in Soups and Stews
Shredded chicken can be added to soups, chilis, and stews. Try chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, chicken and dumplings, chicken chili, chicken stew, and more!
Make Chicken Fried Rice or Stir Fry
Transform leftover chicken into fried rice or a quick stir fry. Just cook up some veggies and rice or noodles and add the shredded chicken at the end. A little soy sauce, oyster sauce, or teriyaki really brings it all together.
Mix into a Pot Pie
Make an easy chicken pot pie by simmering veggies like carrots, peas, and celery and mixing in shredded chicken, then topping with a biscuit crust and baking. Comfort food at its finest!
Stuff into a Pocket
Pocket sandwiches are a fun way to use up chicken. Stuff pitas, wraps, or puff pastries with chicken salad mixtures.
Some ideas:
- Chicken Caesar wrap with chicken, romaine, Parmesan, and Caesar dressing.
- Chicken cranberry Brie puff pastry pockets.
- Thai peanut chicken wrap with slaw and peanuts.
Freeze for Later
Cook up a big batch of shredded chicken and freeze it in portions to have on hand anytime. Thaw it overnight in the fridge before using. Freezing is great for meal prepping.
Make Chicken Stock
After removing the meat, simmer the bare bones to make a rich chicken stock. Use it as the base for soups, stews, risotto, gravy, or just enjoy a cup of soothing homemade chicken broth.
Prepare a Roast Chicken Dinner
A whole roast chicken makes for an elegant dinner party centerpiece. Roast vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and Brussels sprouts in the pan underneath to soak up the juices.
Use in a Healthy Buddha Bowl
Transform your leftover chicken into a nutrient-packed Buddha bowl. Mix with roasted veggies, greens, beans, and a tasty dressing for a satisfying meal.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Simmer the chicken carcass with veggies and beans, then add shredded chicken, tortilla strips, avocado, and lime. Garnish with cilantro and green onion.
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken and dumplings is the ultimate comfort food. Simmer a chicken carcass into broth with veggies. Shred chicken and mix with biscuit dough dumplings.
Chicken Chili
Make hearty chicken chili with beans, peppers, onion, spices, and shredded chicken. Top with cheese, avocado, cilantro, etc. Serve with cornbread.
Chicken Curry
Sauté onions, carrots, peppers, and spices. Add coconut milk and shredded chicken. Simmer and serve over rice. Add mango chutney for extra flavor.
Chicken Gyros
Season shredded chicken with Greek spices. Stuff into warm pitas with lettuce, tomato, onion, feta, and tzatziki sauce.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Marinate chicken in yogurt and Indian spices. Simmer in an aromatic tomato cream sauce. Serve over basmati rice.
Chicken Cobb Salad
Top mixed greens with chicken, egg, bacon, tomato, avocado, cheese, and blue cheese dressing for a filling main dish salad.
As you can see, the possibilities are endless when cooking with a whole chicken! With a little creativity, you can enjoy delicious home-cooked meals all week long. Roasting your own whole chicken saves money and reduces food waste. Get cooking and see just how many meals you can make with one simple bird.
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Why Season and Stuff the Cavity?
Seasoning the cavity and filling it with aromatics like lemon slices, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs brings out the best in a whole roasted chicken. This step ensures the meat is infused with flavor from the inside out. As the chicken roasts, the aromatics release their natural flavors and moisture, creating a gentle steam that adds depth and keeps the meat juicy. It’s an easy way to make your roast chicken more flavorful. And the aromas are incredible!
You often hear about trussing a chicken before roasting. Sometimes, this comes across as way more complicated than it needs to be.
Trussing helps the chicken cook evenly by keeping the wings and legs close to the body, preventing the smaller parts from drying out or overcooking. Use just two pieces of twine: one to tie the wings close to the body and another to pull the legs together at the tips and tie them securely.
Place the seasoned chicken on a roasting rack in a large roasting pan or on a bed of vegetables to catch all the flavorful drippings. Start by roasting it at 450°F for 20-30 minutes to get that golden, crispy skin. Then, lower the oven temperature to 350°F and continue roasting for about 20 minutes per pound.
Check if it’s done using a meat thermometer—the thickest part of the thigh should read 165°F. Once it’s ready, take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 15-20 minutes so the juices can settle, keeping the meat nice and juicy.
After you’ve let the chicken rest for at least 10 minutes, you can start to carve and serve.
Naturally, we’ve got some excellent side-dish options too!
- Best Damn Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts – Seasoned with ranch seasoning and Parmesan cheese, then air fried to perfection. Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside and loaded with awesome flavor!
- Garlic Herb Air Fryer Roasted Potatoes – Baby red potatoes are seasoned with a simple mix of garlic and rosemary, then roasted to perfection in your air fryer in about 20 minutes.
- Jean’s Scalloped Potatoes – Classic scalloped potatoes cooked to tender perfection with a rich, decadent cream sauce.
If you want to take it up a notch, drizzle some of the pan drippings over the chicken or your sides for an extra boost of flavor. This is the kind of meal that brings everyone to the table and keeps them coming back for more.
Place any leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze the chicken in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F, place the chicken in an oven-safe dish, and cover it with foil to keep it moist. Heat for 15-20 minutes or until warmed through.
And of course, you can microwave smaller portions on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking and turning as needed. Add a splash of water or broth to help keep the chicken from drying out.
Why I Love This Recipe
Every time I make this, I just can’t believe how juicy and tender it is. There’s just nothing like it! Honestly, it’s better than any store-bought rotisserie chicken. The seasoning blend, paired with the lemon and herbs stuffed inside, makes every bite full of flavor. And that crispy skin? Absolute perfection! It’s a simple dish that brings so much comfort, perfect for any night of the week.
This recipe uses a handful of simple ingredients that come together to create incredible flavor. You don’t need anything fancy—just the basics that you probably already have at home.
For the best results, a roasting pan with a rack is ideal to get that even cooking and let the juices drip away, giving you perfectly crispy skin.
- Whole Chicken: The star of the show. A 4-5lb. chicken is ideal.
- Seasoning Blend: A mix of kosher salt, Italian seasoning, paprika, and a few other staples that bring out the best in the chicken.
- Butter and Olive Oil: These add that rich, golden finish and help keep the chicken moist.
- Aromatics: Lemon slices, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs go inside the chicken to infuse it with bright, savory flavors.
Start by preheating your oven to 450°F for an initial blast of heat that helps crisp the skin.
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels – this step is essential for achieving that perfect, crispy exterior. Mix the melted butter with olive oil and rub it all over the chicken, including under the skin.
Combine your seasonings in a small bowl and apply them liberally over the entire chicken, making sure to coat under the skin and inside the cavity. Stuff the cavity with lemon slices, garlic cloves, and fresh herbs for an aromatic boost.
4 Ways to Cook a Whole Chicken | Allrecipes
FAQ
What are good sides for a whole chicken?
- Crispy roast potatoes with rosemary, za’atar and salsa verde.
- Chaat masala potatoes with yoghurt.
- Roast potatoes with green sauce and tahini.
- Grilled carrots and tofu with harissa.
- Carrots and leeks, Turkish style.
- Grilled red cabbage with gorgonzola and grapes.
What to do with whole chicken once cooked?
Burritos, nachos, chicken and noodles, chicken and rice casserole, chicken salad sandwich, green salad with cold chicken, chicken soup (use the bones for broth), chicken sandwiches lots of ways. I roast a whole chicken at least once per month.
How to use a whole chicken for multiple meals?
What dishes can be made from chicken?
- Chicken noodle soup. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. …
- Chicken & mushroom puff pie. A star rating of 4.8 out of 5. …
- Creamy chicken stew. A star rating of 4.5 out of 5. …
- Chicken pasta bake. A star rating of 4.6 out of 5. …
- Chicken jalfrezi. …
- Chicken supreme. …
- One-pot chicken chasseur. …
- Black pepper chicken & lemon yogurt.