Leftover chicken recipes
Enjoyed a roast chicken or BBQ chicken recently? Chances are you've got leftover chicken in the fridge. Brilliant!
Chicken leftovers can go a long way and be turned into a tempting new meal, as long as you store it properly. Find out how to store and freeze cooked chicken as well as get easy leftover chicken recipes to have for dinner tonight.
How to store leftover chicken
If you're planning on using leftover cooked chicken for another meal, you need to get it in the fridge or freezer as soon as you can. Here's the best way to store cooked chicken.
Fridge: as soon as the chicken has cooled enough (the steam has evaporated), store chicken in the fridge in an airtight container. If you're not using the leftovers in a salad, ensure you reheat the leftovers all the way through for at least 2 minutes.
Freezer: again, getting the cooked, cooled chicken into the freezer as soon as possible is imperative. For faster freezing and defrosting, shred the chicken breast and remove any chicken meat from the bones. Flatten and freeze in a zip-lock bag. Sometimes that can cause the chicken to dry out as it defrosts. You can also freeze it in larger pieces.
How long does leftover chicken last?
If you're keeping cooked chicken in the fridge, it will last for up to 2 days. If you're not sure when you're going to use up the leftover chicken, consider freezing it. It can be kept frozen for up to 2 months. Defrost in the fridge and cook well.
GET THE RECIPE: Fast Family Chicken Pie by Perfect Italiano
This easy, cheesy chicken pie will quickly become one of your favourite ways to use up leftover chicken.
GET THE RECIPE: Chicken Pesto Pasta by Perfect Italiano
Leftover shredded chicken makes this easy pasta dish even faster.
GET THE RECIPE: Butter Chicken and Vegetable Fritters by Passage to India
This recipe was made for leftover chicken! Chop up those leftovers, mix it up with butter chicken sauce and vegetables and enjoy these crispy fritters.
