Enjoying delicious barbecue chicken but aren’t sure what to do with the leftovers? There are so many creative ways to repurpose leftover barbecue chicken and make it feel like a brand new meal. From quick weeknight dinners to filling weekend lunches, read on for tips and recipe ideas for using up leftover barbecue chicken.
Store Properly for Maximum Freshness
First things first – be sure to store leftover barbecue chicken properly to keep it as fresh as possible for later use. Here are some tips:
- Let the chicken cool completely before storing. Don’t pack hot chicken into an airtight container.
- Store in shallow airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. This exposes more surface area to the cold air and prevents a moisture build up that can make the chicken soggy.
- Refrigerate promptly, within 2 hours of cooking. Leftover chicken can be kept refrigerated for 3-4 days.
- Freeze for longer term storage. Leftover chicken will keep for 2-3 months in the freezer. Thaw in the fridge before using.
Simple Reheating Methods
The easiest way to enjoy leftover barbecue chicken is simply reheating and eating it! Here are some quick and tasty ways to reheat the chicken:
- Microwave for 30-60 seconds until warmed through. Take care not to overcook the chicken and dry it out.
- Bake in a 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Moist leftovers work best.
- Sauté in a pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes to warm and slightly crisp the outside. Toss with extra barbecue sauce.
- Simmer in broth, barbecue sauce, or gravy for 5-10 minutes to add extra flavor. Shred or chop chicken first for faster heating.
Turn Leftover Chicken into New Dishes
Beyond enjoying your barbecue chicken reheated as-is, you can also reinvent the leftovers into completely new dishes! Get creative with these ideas:
Chicken Salad Sandwiches or Wraps
- Shred or dice the chicken and mix with mayo, chopped celery, onions, and any other desired ingredients to make an easy chicken salad. Enjoy stuffed in sandwiches, wraps, or over salad greens.
Barbecue Chicken Pizza
- Top pizza dough with diced chicken, shredded cheese, onions, barbecue sauce, and cilantro. Bake until the crust is crisp and cheese melted.
Chicken Tacos or Burritos
- Warm shredded chicken in a skillet with taco seasoning and salsa. Stuff into tortillas with cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo for quick tacos.
Chicken Noodle Soup
- Simmer shredded chicken in chicken broth with carrots, celery, and noodles. Finish with fresh herbs.
Barbecue Chicken Pasta Salad
- Toss diced chicken with cooked pasta, chopped veggies, shredded cheese, and barbecue sauce vinaigrette for an easy pasta salad. Chill before serving.
Chicken Fried Rice
- Stir fry chilled rice with sesame oil, diced chicken, peas, carrots, onions and soy sauce for a fast fried rice.
Chicken Potato Hash
- Sauté diced chicken with potatoes, onion, bell pepper, and spices. Top with a fried egg for a hearty hash.
Chicken Casserole
- Combine chopped chicken, cheese, veggies, rice or pasta, and cream soup. Top with biscuit dough or stuffing and bake.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
- Fill tortillas with chicken, cheese, and barbecue sauce. Grill until crispy.
Use Leftover Chicken Bones for Broth
Don’t throw away those chicken bones! Simmer them in water with aromatics like onion, celery, carrots, and herbs to make a nutritious homemade chicken broth. Strain and use for soups, stews, or cooking grains.
Conclusion
With proper storage and reheating, leftover barbecue chicken can be enjoyed again and again. And it can be transformed into all sorts of quick meals like salads, pizzas, pastas, tacos, and more. Don’t let any of that delicious barbecue chicken go to waste. Get creative with the leftovers for easy, tasty meals all week long.