BBQ chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many delicious recipes. From sandwiches and salads to pizza and pasta, there are endless possibilities when it comes to leftover BBQ chicken. This article will provide over 15 ideas to help you get creative with BBQ chicken leftovers.
Introduction
BBQ chicken is a crowd-pleaser at any cookout or summer gathering. Although grilling up a batch of juicy BBQ chicken drumsticks or thighs is relatively easy, it often leads to leftovers. Rather than tossing the extra chicken or eating the same BBQ chicken sandwiches day after day, get creative with simple recipes that give leftover BBQ chicken new life.
This article will explore over 15 appetizing ways to transform BBQ chicken leftovers into completely new dishes. From using the chicken in hearty salads and wraps to shredding it for chili and casseroles, you’ll never look at leftover BBQ chicken the same way again. Many of these recipes are quick and easy meals that take advantage of the bold, smoky flavor already infused into the chicken.
So next time you fire up the grill or smoker, cook extra BBQ chicken so you can experiment with these lip-smacking recipes. Let’s get started!
Transform Leftover BBQ Chicken into Satisfying Salads
Salads are one of the easiest ways to repurpose leftover BBQ chicken. The smoky, sweet flavor pairs perfectly with fresh greens, crunchy vegetables, and zesty dressings. Here are some salad ideas that will become new favorites:
BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad
Turn leftover BBQ chicken into a hearty main dish salad. Dice the chicken and add it to a bed of mixed greens. Top with bacon bits, diced tomatoes, boiled egg, avocado, and blue cheese crumbles. Drizzle with your favorite salad dressing.
BBQ Chicken & Apple Salad
For a refreshing twist, combine shredded BBQ chicken with mixed greens, thinly sliced apples, dried cranberries, pecans, shredded cheddar cheese, and apple cider vinaigrette. Top with crispy fried onion strings.
Mexican BBQ Chicken Salad
Spice up BBQ chicken by combining it with a salsa verde salad. Top a mix of greens, black beans, corn, diced avocado and tortilla strips with shredded BBQ chicken. Drizzle with the salsa verde dressing.
Thai Chicken Noodle Salad
For an Asian-inspired salad, use BBQ chicken in a Thai chicken noodle salad with ramen noodles, shredded carrots, edamame, peanuts, cilantro and a Thai peanut dressing.
Use Leftover BBQ Chicken in Hearty Wraps
Wraps make an easy lunch or light dinner, and leftover BBQ chicken is perfect for packing them with flavor. Here are some delicious wrap combinations:
BBQ Chicken Bacon Ranch Wrap
Spread a tortilla with ranch dressing. Top with chopped BBQ chicken, bacon bits, shredded cheese, lettuce and diced tomato.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Shred the BBQ chicken and toss it in Buffalo wing sauce. Fill a tortilla with the spicy chicken, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes and blue cheese dressing.
BBQ Chicken Caesar Wrap
Chop BBQ chicken and combine it with Caesar salad dressing, romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese and roasted garlic in a tortilla.
BBQ Chicken Fajita Wrap
Sauté peppers and onions in fajita seasoning. Add the veggies to a tortilla with shredded BBQ chicken, guacamole, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo and pepper jack cheese.
Whip Up Easy BBQ Chicken Casseroles
Casseroles make excellent comfort food meals, and shredded BBQ chicken is the ideal way to infuse them with smoky flavor. Consider these casserole recipes:
BBQ Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Combine shredded BBQ chicken with enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, and shredded cheese. Bake until hot and bubbly. Top with avocado, pico de gallo and cilantro.
Cheesy BBQ Chicken & Rice Casserole
In a casserole dish, mix cooked rice, shredded BBQ chicken, cream of mushroom soup, milk, shredded cheddar, peas and carrots. Top with crushed cheese crackers or fried onion strings.
BBQ Chicken & Biscuit Pot Pie
Make an easy chicken pot pie by placing shredded BBQ chicken in a casserole dish. Top with canned biscuits and gravy. Bake until the biscuits are golden brown.
BBQ Chicken Baked Ziti
Toss cooked ziti pasta with BBQ sauce and shredded chicken. Top with mozzarella cheese and bake until melted and slightly browned on top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Use Leftover BBQ Chicken in Soups, Stews & Chili
Adding shredded or diced BBQ chicken is an easy way to infuse rich, smoky flavor into soups, stews and chili recipes. Try these delicious ideas:
BBQ Chicken Soup
Simmer chicken broth with BBQ chicken, veggies like corn, carrots and celery, beans, and pasta or rice. Season to taste.
BBQ Chicken Chili
Cook up chili with your favorite spices and beans. Stir in shredded BBQ chicken just before serving to add juicy texture and smoky flavor.
BBQ Chicken & Dumplings
Make comforting chicken and dumplings by simmering shredded BBQ chicken in broth with carrots, peas and celery. Top with easy homemade biscuit dumplings.
BBQ Chicken Brunswick Stew
Cook lima beans, corn and other veggies in tomato sauce. Add diced BBQ chicken and season with BBQ dry rub. Simmer until thickened.
Craft Creative BBQ Chicken Sandwiches & Tacos
Piling BBQ chicken onto buns or taco shells is delicious, but branching out creates amazing new flavors. Try these inventive ideas:
BBQ Chicken Apple Sandwich
Top pretzel buns with diced BBQ chicken, apple slices, melted brie and honey mustard sauce. Broil until the cheese melts.
BBQ Chicken & Waffles Sandwich
Chicken and waffles in sandwich form! Top Belgian waffles with fried chicken tenders tossed in BBQ sauce, arugula and ranch dressing.
BBQ Chicken Egg Rolls
Shred BBQ chicken and mix with shredded carrots, cabbage, green onion, soy sauce, garlic and ginger. Spoon the filling into egg roll wrappers and fry until golden brown.
BBQ Chicken Tacos with Pineapple Salsa
Dice leftover BBQ chicken and stuff into warmed corn tortillas. Top with fresh pineapple salsa and queso fresco.
Enjoy BBQ Chicken on Hearty Pizzas
The combination of rich, smoky BBQ chicken with melty cheese and a crispy crust is hard to beat. Dress up homemade or store-bought pizza crust with these tasty ideas:
BBQ Chicken & Bacon Pizza
Top prepared pizza crust with BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, crispy bacon, red onion and mozzarella cheese.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken Pizza
Spread pizza dough with tangy BBQ sauce. Top with BBQ chicken, pineapple tidbits, sliced ham and shredded mozzarella.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza
Make Buffalo chicken pizza by topping crust with blue cheese dressing, shredded chicken tossed in hot sauce, and shredded mozzarella.
BBQ Chicken & Caramelized Onion Pizza
Caramelize onions in balsamic vinegar. Spread pizza crust with olive oil, then top with BBQ chicken, onions and fontina cheese.
Blend Leftover BBQ Chicken into Crowd-Pleasing Pastas
Pasta entrees are quick and filling meals. Adding shredded BBQ chicken is an easy way to infuse them with flavor. Consider these pasta dishes:
BBQ Chicken Pasta Salad
Toss cooked bowtie pasta with shredded chicken, ranch dressing, shredded cheddar, diced tomatoes, corn, bacon bits and chopped green onions.
BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese
Make homemade or boxed mac and cheese extra delicious by folding in shredded BBQ chicken before baking. Top with panko breadcrumbs.
BBQ Chicken Pasta with Spinach
Sauté minced garlic in olive oil. Add chicken, spinach and halved cherry tomatoes. Toss with hot cooked pasta and parmesan cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Pasta
Combine cooked penne pasta with shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, black beans, corn, and Mexican blend cheese. Top with avocado and tortilla chips.
Top Appetizers & Snacks with Tasty BBQ Chicken
Barbecues and game day parties call for easy appetizers. These recipes transform BBQ chicken leftovers into party-perfect bites:
BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Fill a tortilla with shredded chicken, cheese and diced onions. Grill or pan fry until the cheese melts. Cut into wedges.
BBQ Chicken Nachos
Pile tortilla chips with shredded chicken, cheese sauce, salsa, beans, guacamole, sour cream and jalapeños.
BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza Bites
Top store-bought flatbread or naan with BBQ sauce, chicken, cheese and diced red onion. Cut into pieces and broil until melted.
BBQ Chicken Hand Pies
Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce and cheese. Spoon into mini pie crusts. Bake until golden brown.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, leftover BBQ chicken is an amazing ingredient to keep on hand. It adds instant protein and bold flavor to simple meals like salads, wraps, casseroles and pastas. You can also easily transform leftover chicken into party-ready appetizers and pizza creations.
The next time you make a batch of juicy barbecued chicken thighs or drumsticks, cook some extra. Portion and store the leftovers in resealable freezer bags so you can easily pull them out for these recipes. With a little creativity, you’ll never tire of leftovers again.
So fire up the grill, smoker or oven, and get ready to experiment with these mouthwatering ways to repurpose leftover BBQ chicken! Which recipe are you most excited to try first?