Quick & Easy Leftover Chicken Lunch Recipe Ideas
How to Roast Chicken
Step one in creating delicious leftover recipes is to roast a chicken in the first place! The easiest way to make a juicy roast chicken is to coat the skin with olive oil and our rich Old El Paso seasoning, then simply roast in the oven until golden. For extra taste, place the chicken over some sliced onions and peppers in an ovenproof dish
Easy leftover Chicken Recipes
Now, check out our favourite leftover chicken recipes below to make your working from home lunches a breeze. From speedy wraps to cheesy quesadillas, bring some Mexican-inspired flavours to your midday meal, starting with our easy chicken and veggie wraps recipe!
Chicken and Veggie Wraps
Recipe Name
Chicken and Veggie WrapsTotal Time
40 minutesSpice Level
MildServings
6Ingredients
- 1 x 435g tin Old El Paso™ Refried Beans
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Old El Paso™ Seasoning Mix for Fajitas (any flavour)
- 1 pack Old El Paso™ Large Flour Tortillas™ (6 tortillas)
- 75g baby spinach leaves
- 200g carrots, peeled and coarsely grated
- 100g red cabbage, finely shredded
- 4 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped
- 180g cooked chicken, skin removed and thinly sliced
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, plus extra lime wedges, to serve
Preparation
- Combine the refried beans and seasoning mix in a medium bowl.
- Warm the tortillas to pack instructions. Spread each tortilla with 1/6 of the refried bean mixture leaving a 2cm border all around. Top each with a layer of spinach leaves.
- Arrange 1/6 of the carrots, cabbage, and spring onions in a horizontal line on the bottom half of each tortilla and top with 1/6 of the chicken. Sprinkle the lime juice over the chicken and vegetables.
- Fold the sides of each tortilla about 2cm over the filling then use both hands to firmly fold and roll the wraps to completely enclose the filling. Place seam-side down after rolling and leave for 5-10 minutes before cutting. Cut each wrap in half and serve with lime wedges, if you like.
Expert Tips
- If you are not eating the wraps straight away, wrap tightly in foil or cling film and store in the refrigerator up to 8 hours. Wraps are best when eaten the same day.
- Any other fresh and crunchy veg can be used in these wraps – try thinly sliced peppers and grated courgette and radishes for a flavour change.
Made With
More leftover CHICKEN LUNCH RECIPE IDEAS
Discover even more leftover chicken lunch recipe ideas below. From oozy cheesy quesadillas to delicious veggie grain bowl taco boats, there’s plenty to keep your lunch times varied and exciting with Old El Paso!
Working From Home Tips
Using leftovers for lunch is just one handy way to improve your day when you’re working from home. We’ve got a few more working from home tips to share:
- Try to stick to a routine. It may look very different from the average 9-5, but a schedule helps with keeping the work/life balance in check.
- Stay hydrated. Forgetting to drink is easy when you’re working in your own space, but dehydration can lead to headaches or fatigue.
- Pre-plan some snacks. There’s nothing wrong with snacking, but when your mind is on the job you can end up reaching for the worst choices. Chopping fruit or setting aside nuts at the start of the day or over the weekend means you can grab them without thinking. We also recommend dividing your snacks into pre-portioned bags, so they’re easy to grab and enjoy!
- Take a proper lunch break. Eating at your desk or while answering emails might be tempting if you’re busy, but it’ll do you the world of good to take a break away from your workspace.
- Stand up and stretch. Don’t be tempted to let hours pass with you hunched over a computer or laptop. Pop five-minute slots into your calendar and use them to get your blood flowing.
- Start ‘cool down’ ritual. To kickstart the separation between your workday and personal time, develop a little ritual. It could be as simple as putting your laptop out of sight, brewing a herbal tea or spending a few minutes at the window, as long as it’s the same every day.
Simple Lunch Swaps For Added Goodness
A huge benefit of making your own lunches when working from home is you know exactly what’s in it. If you’re looking for ways to make better choices at lunch, why not try a few of these smart substitutions?
- Change sour cream for plain, unsweetened yoghurt for a different take on the same creamy texture.
- Swap Caesar dressing for yoghurt with lemon juice, soy sauce and lots of fresh-cracked black pepper.
- Skip full fat cheddar and add in a sprinkle of feta instead, its strong taste means a little goes a long way.
- If you’ve got extra dips, why not chop some carrot or pepper crudites to go along with your chips?
- Give your rice some added goodness by exchanging white grains for brown or swap for whole grains, which are higher in fibre like barley or quinoa.
- Give your dish some extra flavour with citrus (such as fresh lemon, lime or orange), vinegar (like Balsamic, rice or red wine vinegar), or herbs and spices (such as red pepper flakes, basil, coriander or our seasoning mixes for a quick fix).
Make Work From Home Lunches Easy With Old El Paso
With these quick and easy leftover chicken lunch recipe ideas, your work from home lunches are sure to be a breeze! With a range of dishes you can cook once and eat twice or more, it’s never been easier to prepare ahead of time. Looking for more mealtime inspiration? View our full range of recipes here.
