If you have leftover chicken, you are in luck! It’s one of the best kind of leftovers you could possibly have! You will have the basis of meals for days. After all, chicken is one of the most popular proteins to cook with. It’s versatile and relatively inexpensive compared to beef or pork. Chicken also happens to be very easy to cook, too.
Maybe you roasted chicken for dinner, or grabbed a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store. Or perhaps you baked, poached, or grilled a bunch of boneless chicken breasts or thighs and you’ve got extra on hand–either by accident or on purpose! Chicken keeps on giving. Chicken is a meal preppers best friend.
These seven recipes will give you lots of ideas as to what to do with leftover chicken when it comes to meal prepping. Chicken’s got you! Keep all these stored in the fridge in airtight containers. Most of these recipes will keep best in the fridge; we’ve indicated which ones are good candidates for the freezer..
Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup
This is a classic go-to move and for good reason. It preps well, keeps well, and freezes well. It’s a win-win-win. You can load it up with whatever veggies you like, or keep it simple.
No-Reheat Crunchy Thai Chicken Wraps
The best kinds of chicken recipes are the ones that you cook once and then just use leftovers for no-reheat leftovers, like a salad or these Thai-influenced wraps. This recipe uses shredded or chopped chicken (either words), and is great for either lunch or dinner.
Jalapeno Buffalo Chicken Casserole
This recipe literally starts with cooked shredded chicken, which is super helpful. Toss it with a Buffalo sauce you can make pretty fast, and then bake it in that sauce. Eat it as is–a chicken-loaded casserole–or serve with rice, or even perhaps on some toasted sub rolls. Portion out into containers, pop them in the fridge, and your meals are prepped! And leftovers can be frozen, too.
Related: How to Defrost Chicken in the Microwave
Individual Mini Chicken Pot Pies for Meal Prep
This recipe requires you to cook the chicken first but if you’ve already got leftovers, you’re a step ahead! The rest is a bit of cooking and assembly. You can use prepared pie dough, too. Not to worry, as this is an easy recipe that is super satisfying to make. Pot pies are awesome for freezer meal preps, too.
Related: How to Reheat Chicken in the Microwave
The Easiest Chicken Burrito Bowl for Meal Prep
Leftover chicken is made for a dish like this, which is super customizable with either rice or quinoa (cook the rice in the microwave!) and includes black beans, cheese, lime juice and corn.
Trader Joes Chicken Tikka Masala
Searching for a quick way to heat up Trader Joe’s Chicken Tikka Masala? Slightly spicy and earthy taste, tikka masala taste like heaven and with a side of naan and basmati rice, it fulfill your empty stomach.
Quick and safe way to heat up chicken tikka masala from Trader Joe is using microwave. Save time by nuking the prepared meal in just a few minutes.
Mediterranean Grilled Chicken Salad Meal Prep
We’re kind of in love with these flavors! You can make this salad even if you aren’t starting with grilled chicken but we admit it’s better with the flavor of the grill all over it. Feta, olives, avocado over some greens, and a quick vinaigrette brings it together. (Try it with salmon, too!)
