What To Do With Leftover Roast Chicken: Easy Ideas For Lunch & Dinner
May
21,
2024
If you've got some leftover roast chicken and are wondering what to do with it, Old El Paso is here to help! We've got a variety of delicious recipes and easy ideas for lunch and dinner, from comforting soups and flavourful rice dishes to mouthwatering wraps.
Whether you have leftover legs, a carcass, or simply some cooked chicken breasts, there’s something for you. Take a look and discover the multitude of ways that you can transform your leftovers into sensational meals.
Leftover Chicken Soup Ideas
Comforting Chicken Tortilla Soup
With the Old El Paso™ Extra Mild Super Tasty Stand 'N' Stuff™ Soft Taco Kit you can easily create a tasty Chicken Tortilla Soup with your leftovers! Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and bell peppers in a large pot with some olive oil. Once your vegetables are sautéed and your onions are clear, add your leftover chicken and Old El Paso™ Chili Con Carne Seasoning Mix before finally pouring in your chicken broth and cooking on a low simmer. Serve with a side of crispy tortilla strips, diced avocado, shredded cheese, and a squeeze of lime for some extra zest!
Leftover Chicken Recipe With Rice
Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole
Make a tasty Mexican Chicken and Rice Casserole with your leftovers! For the first step cook Old El Paso™ Stand 'N' Stuff™ Soft Flour Tortillas until slightly crispy and broken into small pieces. In a greased baking dish, layer the broken tortillas, cooked rice, shredded chicken, salsa, and grated cheese. Repeat this, building the layers until the dish is full and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly. To finish, top with fresh cilantro and serve with a dollop of sour cream. This casserole is a great way to create a comforting meal for the whole family.
Tasty BBQ Chicken Wrap Idea
Mouthwatering BBQ Chicken Wraps
Leftover chicken is great for creating mouthwatering wraps. Why not indulge yourself in our BBQ Chicken recipe? Start by shredding the leftover chicken using two forks and mix the shredded chicken with Old El Paso™ Fajita Seasoning Mix Smoky BBQ and your favourite barbecue sauce. Warm Old El Paso™ Stand 'N' Stuff™ Whole Wheat Tortillas, then spread some creamy coleslaw on each. Add the BBQ chicken, sliced red onions, and chopped cilantro to the wrap, roll it up tightly and enjoy the explosion of flavours in each bite. This recipe is perfect for a quick and satisfying lunch or dinner!
Leftover Chicken Leg Slow Cooker Fajita Recipe
Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas
Leftover chicken legs are perfect for making Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas! Start by placing the legs in a slow cooker and seasoning them with Old El Paso™ Fajita Seasoning Mix Smoky BBQ. Add sliced bell peppers and onions on top of the chicken. Cook on low heat for 4-6 hours until the chicken is tender, and the flavours are infused. Serve the fajitas with warm Old El Paso™ Flour Tortilla Wraps, salsa, sour cream, and guacamole for a delicious and fuss-free meal.
What To Do With A Leftover Chicken Carcass
Homemade Chicken Stock
Don't let the carcass of your cooked chicken go to waste. Instead, turn it into a flavourful Homemade Chicken Stock that can be used as a base for soups, stews, and risottos. Place the chicken carcass in a large pot and cover it with cold water. Add diced onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and a few bay leaves before bringing the pot to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 hours. Strain the stock and discard the solids. The result? A rich and flavourful stock that will elevate your dishes to the next level.
Leftover roast chicken is a great ingredient for creating a variety of recipes for any occasion. From comforting soups and flavourful rice dishes to mouthwatering wraps, there are endless meals that you can create whether you have leftover chicken legs, breasts, or carcass. Many of these options are great for groups as well so you can create delicious meals that bring people together.
Plus, our Taco Kits and Fajita Seasoning Mixes are perfect for enhancing the flavour of your dishes. Check them out now!
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Come home to this slow-cooked chicken tortilla soup made using Old El Paso™ Cooking Sauce for Enchiladas – perfect for Mexican-style dinner.
Recipe Name
Chicken Tortilla SoupTotal Time
6 hours and 20 minutesSpice Level
MildServings
6Ingredients
Soup
- 500g chicken breast fillets
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 x 227g tin chopped tomatoes
- 1 x 275g jar Old El Paso™ Cooking Sauce for Enchiladas
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 400ml chicken stock
- 175g frozen, fresh or tinned sweet corn
- 3 garlic cloves, chopped
- 2 teaspoons mild chilli powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 4 Old El Paso™ Street Market White Corn Tortillas, cut into 3cm strips
- Coriander leaves, to garnish
Preparation
- Place the chicken fillets into a slow cooker pot with all the remaining ingredients except the coriander leaves.
- Cover and cook on a low heat setting for 6-7 hours.
- Remove the chicken fillets with a slotted spoon and roughly shred. Return to the slow cooker and stir to combine. Ladle the soup into bowls and serve garnished with coriander leaves.
Expert Tips
- Top the soup with sliced spring onions or crushed tortilla chips.
- Cooking the corn tortilla strips in the soup the whole time thickens the soup naturally and gives the soup some added texture.
