What to do with leftover chicken?
Turn leftover chicken or store-bought rotisserie chicken into enchiladas, chicken salad, chicken soup, chicken pizza...the list goes on and on.
How many leftover chicken recipes are there?
We’ve got plenty of ideas that will help you stretch your leftover chicken into a brand-new meal. Here are more than 30 leftover chicken recipes to try tonight. How Long Does Leftover Chicken Last?
Is leftover fried chicken a real thing that happens?
Yes, "leftover fried chicken" is a real thing that happens. We know. Some of you might be looking at this headline with extremely large question marks flashing in your head. What is this “leftover fried chicken” you speak of? There are people who exhibit a level of self control such that they have to face a dilemma like this?
Should you eat leftover chicken cold or hot?
However, let this be said loud and clear—there is also no shame in eating it cold, straight out of the plastic container, standing at the kitchen counter in your bathrobe. Do you. By throwing your leftover chicken in a vat of crunchy veggies, it goes without saying that you are the picture of health.
How do you make leftover chicken tenders?
In the ovenPull out the leftover chicken tenders from the fridge or freezer and let them reach room temperature. ... Preheat the oven to 400°F.Place the chicken tenders on a baking tray.Bake the chicken tenders for 15-20 minutes.More items...•
How do you make leftover chicken strips crispy?
Instead, we recommend turning to your oven (or your air fryer, but more on that later) for the best results. Reheating the chicken in a hot oven quickly crisps up the skin and heats through the meat without drying it out.
How long are leftover chicken strips good for?
Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3–4 days (1). Storing chicken in the fridge helps slow bacterial growth, as bacteria tend to grow slower in temperatures below 40°F (4°C) (2, 3 ).
Can you eat leftover chicken tenders?
Chicken tenders are extremely popular among adults and kids. They're easy to make and taste divine, which is one reason why they should never go to waste. You can reheat chicken tenders and make them taste as good as fresh, as long as you follow the tips we're about to explain below.
Can you fry already cooked chicken?
When you're ready to fry, let the cooked chicken come to room temperature if it was chilled, then proceed with your normal dredging or breading and frying. Fry until golden brown and crispy on the outside, it should take about 8 to 10 minutes, or half the normal time it takes to fry chicken.
How do you reheat breaded chicken without drying it out?
Go high and fast: Bake chicken for 12 to 15 minutes. In general, we've found reheated chicken is ready when the internal temperature reaches 120°F. This will take between 12 and 15 minutes in a preheated 400ºF oven. That's hot enough to taste good without drying out.
Can you eat cooked chicken cold the next day?
Yes, you can eat cold chicken. Just make sure that it has been fully cooked, properly cooled, and you eat it within 4 days of it being in the fridge to prevent any illness from bacterial growth.
How long are cooked chicken fingers good for in the fridge?
Properly stored, cooked chicken nuggets will last for 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator. How long can cooked chicken nuggets be left at room temperature? Bacteria grow rapidly at temperatures between 40 °F and 140 °F; cooked chicken nuggets should be discarded if left out for more than 2 hours at room temperature.
Can I freeze cooked chicken tenders?
Place cooled, leftover chicken tenders in a plastic freezer storage container featuring an air-tight lid. Write the storage date on a piece of freezer tape and place it on the lid as a reference. Freeze the tenders in a freezer set at zero degrees for up to four months.
Can you eat cold chicken tenders?
Eating cold chicken is perfectly safe. The main concern should be over how you store it. Once the chicken has cooled to room temperature, you should cover it and place it straight into the fridge.
How do you reheat chicken tenderloins?
Grab a skillet and add just enough water to cover the bottom. Set the pan over medium heat and add the chicken as soon as the water starts to simmer. Lower the heat and gently stir chicken, cooking until the meat has warmed through to 165°F. Once the chicken is nice and hot, make haste and gobble it up.
How do you reheat chicken tenders on the stove?
Heat 1 to 2 inches of oil in a skillet until it reaches 350°F (180°C). Carefully place some tenders in the hot oil. Heat them for 2 minutes, turning at the halfway mark. Drain them off on a paper towel and serve hot.
Breathe new life into an old ingredient
A freelance journalist and avid home cook, Cathy Jacobs has more than 10 years of food writing experience, with a focus on curating approachable menus and recipe collections.
Grilled Chicken Banh Mi
Grilled chicken banh mi is a tasty Vietnamese sandwich that typically includes some type of meat, pate, pickled veggies, and fresh herbs. This mouth-watering version calls marinated chicken breast made from scratch, but you can easily swap in leftovers as a quick replacement.
Crunchy Middle Eastern Chicken Salad
Leftover chicken is the perfect starting point for this crunchy Middle Eastern chicken salad, also featuring carrots and almonds in a tangy, yogurt dressing. Serve with pita wedges for a nutritious and filling meal.
Thai Chicken Soup With Coconut Milk
Save money on takeout when you cook up this creamy Thai chicken soup with coconut milk from scratch. Traditional Southeast Asian ingredients—including lemongrass, makrut lime leaves, red chilies, and galangal or ginger—deliver huge flavor, with coconut milk making it a rich bowlful.
Buffalo Chicken Casserole
This hot Buffalo chicken casserole with the popular taste of Buffalo chicken wings is always a hit at parties and potlucks. Sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, tater tots, and pepper jack cheese complete the crowd-friendly dish.
Chicken Pot Pie
Serve up comfort when you make this luscious chicken pot pie for family dinner. Leftover cooked chicken meat, a refrigerated pie crust, and frozen mixed vegetables make this one-hour recipe easier, but it tastes like you spent all day making it.
Spicy Thai Chicken Salad Wrap
Dark chicken meat from juicy legs and thighs are a fabulous addition to this delicious spicy Thai chicken salad wrap flavored with Thai ingredient, including sweet chili sauce, coconut milk, soy sauce, and chunky peanut butter .
Chicken and waffles
This is Chick-fil-A's take on everybody's favorite brunch dish. To make it, you'll need not only Chick-fil-A's Chick-n-Strips (four of them) but also the standard baking ingredients to make the waffles, plus bananas since these just so happen to be banana waffles.
Creamy chicken pasta
Chick-fil-A presents this as being a particularly child-friendly recipe, and it is based on that proven kid favorite: mac and cheese. Plus that time-tested sneaky mom-approved and White House physician -tested trick of trying to sneak in some veggies wherever you can.
Chicken strip taquitos
Taquito Tuesday? Why not? They're less messy than tacos, after all, since they come all neatly rolled up. To make this fairly quick and easy version, you'll need six of those Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Strips, which you'll thinly slice, then mix with 3/4 cup of salsa and 3/4 cup of shredded cheese.
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
My daughter has the best cream cheese chicken enchiladas recipe I’ve ever tried. She brought 10 pans of it to my wedding reception and they were the biggest hit of all the food. So many guests wanted the recipe, we sent it out with our Christmas cards. —Pat Coffee, Kingston, Washington
Chicken, Nectarine and Avocado Salad
This salad is really summery and comes together very quickly. Using granola adds crunch and makes it different. I've tried using a various types of granola, and our favorites have been those that aren't overly sweet but have lots of nuts. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Cherry Chicken Croissants
I had a similar chicken salad at a restaurant and created my own version. It may seem like an odd combination, but the ingredients work really well together. My children love it, and it only takes a few minutes to cut everything up—so easy!
Peanut Butter, Chicken and Basil Sandwich
Stay with me, here. These classic Thai flavors work on so much more than noodles...try 'em on a sandwich and you won't be disappointed. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor
Spicy Chicken and Bacon Mac
I've been working to perfect a creamy, spicy mac and cheese for years. After adding smoky bacon, chicken, jalapenos and spicy cheese, this is the ultimate! I use rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon when I'm pressed for time. —Sarah Gilbert, Aloha, Oregon
Chicken Cordon Bleu Stromboli
If chicken cordon bleu and stromboli had a baby, this would be it. Serve with jarred or homemade Alfredo sauce, or classic Mornay sauce on the side if desired. —Cynthia Gerken, Naples, Florida
Slow-Cooker Chicken Enchilada Stuffed Peppers
Use up leftovers and clean out the fridge by making these super simple and tasty stuffed peppers! This is an ideal weekend meal that you can put together quickly and let cook while you run errands. —Katie Jasiewicz, Belle Isle, Florida
How Long Does Leftover Chicken Last?
While leftovers are a saving grace, they don’t stay fresh forever and can be unsafe to eat if held onto for too long. Leftover chicken should be eaten within four days of cooking it. Read more: Here’s How Long Cooked Chicken Lasts in the Fridge
How Should I Store Leftover Chicken?
After chicken is cooked, it should sit out at room temperature no more than two hours before being refrigerated to slow down bacteria growth. Leftover chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If you think you won’t use it within three or four days, you can also freeze it to use at a later date.
1. Make a batch of chicken enchiladas
Starting with leftover chicken means a large batch of saucy enchiladas comes together in next to no time. Get a recipe: How to Make the Easiest-Ever Chicken Enchiladas
2. Stir it into a quick Thai curry
Skip takeout and make a homemade version of your favorite order at home in a flash. Just stir the chicken in with the veggies to warm it. Get a recipe: Chicken Curry in a Hurry
3. Make a creamy, cheesy dip
A warm dip can absolutely become dinner when you fill it with chicken and serve it with lots of veggies (and chips, too, of course). Get a recipe: White Chicken Chili Skillet Dip
4. Stuff it into a baked potato
This might be the ultimate simple-yet-satisfying dinner. Repurpose leftovers while enjoying one of those potatoes you baked during your weekend meal prep session. Get a recipe: Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
5. Mix it into chicken salad
Whether you prefer the classic creamy version or opt for herby or tangy, you can never go wrong with chicken salad. Get a recipe: Yogurt & Dill Chicken Salad
Toss it in a Green Salad
By throwing your leftover chicken in a vat of crunchy veggies, it goes without saying that you are the picture of health. Congratulations! But seriously, we’re all about some #balance, and there’s no better protein to top off that salad of yours than some chopped up bits of fried chicken.
Make a Buffalo Chicken Wrap
We need to have a serious discussion about how meant to be buffalo sauce and fried chicken are for each other. #Couple #Goals #Amiright? Anyway, grab a bottle of Frank’s or Texas Pete or whatever flaming condiment of choice you’ll vehemently defend, and get to dousing.
Mix it In Your Waffle Batter
Yes, you read that correctly, and trust us, you’ll thank us for this. Since we all know that a good fried chicken and waffles breakfast is an unrivaled way to start the day, why not take one step further and incorporate leftover bits of fried chicken right into the batter (chicken-n-waffles < Chicken IN waffles ).
Stir it in a Creamy Chicken Salad
Stick with us now, because there is a level of chicken-inception here that may be a little tough to follow. Rather than coloring inside the lines and using pale, flavorless chicken breasts to be the backbone of your next creamy chicken salad, liven things up with your leftover fried chicken.
Top off Your Deviled Eggs
We still don’t know whether the chicken or the egg came first, but we do know that these Hot Chicken Deviled Eggs are a mega-flavor party. Perfect for picnics or summer entertaining, these bite-size cuties are no joke. Guests will love this clever appetizer, and they’ll never have to know that it’s made with repurposed leftovers.
Recipes using chicken tenders
Chicken dinners are a go to around here. Sometimes tenders are cheaper than breasts.
Easy dinner ideas
Are you still doing your meal planning? No worries! Pin this collection of chicken recipes to your favorite Pinterest board and it will be ready when you are.
What can I make with chicken tenders?
Get ready to be hungry…these recipes are going to inspire you to try something new.
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