Barbecued chicken is a classic summertime favorite. The aroma of chicken sizzling on the grill is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. But what happens when you have leftover shredded barbecue chicken? With some creativity, you can transform those leftovers into tasty new dishes.
Enjoy BBQ Chicken on Its Own
The easiest thing to do is enjoy the shredded barbecue chicken on its own. Simply reheat the chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop with a little bit of barbecue sauce. You can serve the warm, saucy chicken on sandwiches, over salad, stuffed into tacos, or atop nachos. Leftover pulled chicken also makes excellent pizza topping. Get creative with different seasonings and toppings to give your BBQ chicken new life.
Make Chicken Salad or Wraps
Chicken salad and wraps are perfect ways to repurpose leftover barbecue chicken. To make chicken salad, simply mix shredded chicken with mayonnaise, chopped celery, diced onion, salt, and pepper. For extra flavor, stir in crumbled bacon, chopped almonds, dried cranberries, or shredded cheddar. Chicken salad makes a tasty sandwich filler or lettuce wrap filling.
For BBQ chicken wraps, reheat the shredded chicken and toss it in barbecue sauce. Fill tortillas with the saucy chicken, shredded lettuce, tomato, avocado, and ranch dressing. The possibilities are endless when making these handy wraps.
Enjoy Chicken and Waffles
Chicken and waffles make for a winning flavor combination. Transform leftover barbecue chicken into this comforting meal. Reheat the shredded chicken in barbecue sauce and serve it over waffles, along with butter and maple syrup. For a spicy kick, sprinkle the chicken with hot sauce or stir cayenne pepper into the syrup. This sweet and savory dish is sure to satisfy.
Make BBQ Chicken Pizza
Homemade barbecue chicken pizza is easy to assemble and tastes so much better than delivery. Start with a pre-made crust or your own homemade dough. Top the crust with barbecue sauce, shredded mozzarella, leftover chicken, red onion, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime. Cook the pizza until the cheese is bubbly. Add any other desired toppings like pineapple, bacon, or bell pepper. Make it a meal with a fresh green salad on the side.
Enjoy Hearty BBQ Chicken Frittata
A frittata is an easy weeknight dinner or weekend brunch dish. To make BBQ chicken frittata, sauté diced onion, red bell pepper, and spinach. Pour whisked eggs over the veggie mixture. Add shredded chicken, shredded cheddar, and a spoonful of barbecue sauce. Bake the frittata until set and enjoy. For extra protein, add black beans. Serve with avocado, salsa, and sour cream.
Stir Up BBQ Chicken Pasta
Pasta is the perfect canvas for leftover barbecue chicken. Cook pasta like penne, rotini, or ziti according to package directions. Meanwhile, warm shredded chicken in barbecue sauce with chopped bell peppers and onion. Toss the saucy chicken and veggies with the hot pasta. Top the cheesy chicken pasta with sliced scallions, Parmesan, and chopped parsley. Serve with garlic bread for a hearty meal.
Make Easy BBQ Chicken Tacos
Tacos are a Tuesday night staple, but they’re even better with barbecue chicken. Simply reheat the shredded chicken and mix in your favorite store-bought taco seasoning or homemade blend. Stuff the chicken into warmed corn or flour tortillas along with shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and Mexican crema. Add beans, rice, cheese, or any other favorite taco toppings.
Whip Up BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Quesadillas are a quick and easy weekday meal. Sauté onion and bell pepper, then add shredded chicken and barbecue sauce. Place the filling between two tortillas with shredded cheese like cheddar or Monterey Jack. Cook the quesadillas in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortillas are golden. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, and sour cream for dipping.
Enjoy BBQ Chicken Potato Skins
Baked potato skins get an upgrade with barbecue chicken. Bake potatoes and cut them in half. Scoop out most of the flesh, leaving just a bit around the edges. Brush the skins with oil and broil cut-side up until crisp. Fill the skins with shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, shredded cheese, diced red onion, and chopped cilantro. Return to the broiler to melt the cheese. Top with sour cream or guacamole.
Make Hearty BBQ Chicken Chili
Chili is easy to customize with leftover chicken. In a pot, sauté onion, bell pepper, garlic, and spices like cumin and chili powder. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, beans, corn, and shredded chicken. Simmer the chili until thickened then stir in barbecue sauce. Top bowls of the chili with shredded cheese, avocado, cilantro, and sour cream. Serve with cornbread or tortilla chips.
Freeze for Later
If you just can’t fathom another BBQ chicken meal, portion the chicken into freezer bags or containers. The shredded meat will keep well in the freezer for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight when you’re ready to eat. Use thawed chicken to make any recipe mentioned above. Freezing is a great way to save yourself from the dinner doldrums later.
Creative Ways to Use Up Leftover BBQ Chicken
Leftover barbecue chicken is versatile enough that you can get very creative with it. Here are a few more unique ways to use up shredded chicken:
- BBQ chicken omelets or breakfast burritos
- BBQ chicken salad with corn, black beans, and avocado
- BBQ chicken stuffed sweet potatoes
- BBQ chicken sloppy Joes
- BBQ chicken nachos with beans and pickled jalapeños
- BBQ chicken fried rice or stir fry with veggies
- BBQ chicken soup with carrots, celery, and noodles
- BBQ chicken casserole with rice, corn, and cheese
With endless possibilities, you’ll never have to toss leftover barbecue chicken again. A little innovation can give shredded chicken new life in many crave-worthy dishes. Get creative with seasonings, sauces, and mix-ins to transform BBQ chicken leftovers into tasty new meals.
FAQs About Leftover BBQ Chicken
How long does leftover BBQ chicken last in the fridge?
Leftover pulled barbecue chicken will keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Be sure to store it in an airtight container. After that, freeze the chicken for longer storage.
What’s the best way to reheat shredded barbecue chicken?
The microwave provides a quick way to reheat pulled chicken. For more evenly heated meat, put the chicken in a skillet with a bit of broth or sauce. Gently reheat over medium-low, stirring occasionally.
Can you freeze leftover barbecue chicken?
Yes, shredded barbecue chicken freezes very well. Portion the chicken into freezer bags or containers, removing as much air as possible. It will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the refrigerator before use.
What are the best BBQ sauces for leftover chicken?
Sweet and tangy sauces like hickory, honey mustard, and Kansas City-style pair well with leftover chicken. Bold sauces like chipotle or molasses also delicious. Mix it up by using different sauces each time you reuse the chicken.
What kind of cheese is best for BBQ chicken dishes?
Sharp cheddar and Monterey Jack are great melty choices for quesadillas, nachos, pizza, etc. Mozzarella, Colby, pepper jack, and provolone also pair nicely with the flavor of barbecue chicken.
Get Creative with Leftover BBQ Chicken
Barbecued chicken is one of the most versatile meats to have leftover in the refrigerator. With a little creativity, shredded BBQ chicken can be transformed into simple sandwiches, vibrant salads, comforting casseroles, hearty pastas, quick tacos, and so much more. Don’t let leftover chicken go to waste. Try a new recipe idea from this guide and you may find yourself intentionally making extra chicken just to use in tasty new dishes.