Leftover BBQ chicken recipes are a clever and delicious way to repurpose your meal into something new and exciting.
In this post, we dive into a few fun dishes that will make you look forward to having leftovers. Whether you’re in the mood for a light and zesty salad, a comforting soup, a flavorful taco, or a hearty pie, these recipes showcase the versatility of BBQ chicken.
Whether you’re working with leftover BBQ chicken breast or chicken thighs, by transforming your leftovers into these mouthwatering meals, you not only minimize waste but also enjoy a diverse range of flavors and textures.
Let’s embark on a culinary journey that elevates leftover BBQ chicken from a simple remnant of yesterday’s dinner to the star of your next meal.
BBQ Chicken Nachos
Elevate your snack game with BBQ Chicken Nachos, a crowd-pleaser that’s as flavorful as it is easy to assemble. Crispy tortilla chips form the base, generously topped with shredded chicken, melted cheese, black beans, and a drizzle of BBQ sauce and ranch for an extra flavor kick.
Finished with a scattering of fresh cilantro, jalapeños, and a squeeze of lime, these nachos are a perfect balance of smoky, spicy, and tangy tastes. Ideal for game day, movie night, or as a casual appetizer, BBQ Chicken Nachos are a surefire hit
Leftover BBQ Chicken Casserole
This BBQ Ranch Chicken Casserole is the epitome of comfort food in a casserole dish, marrying the smoky sweetness of BBQ chicken with the tangy creaminess of ranch dressing. Layered between tender pasta, gooey cheddar cheese, and a sprinkle of crispy onions, this dish offers a symphony of textures and flavors.
It’s a hearty, one-pan wonder that makes weeknight dinners both easy and exceptionally delicious. Perfect for using up leftover BBQ chicken, it transforms simple ingredients into a satisfying meal that’s sure to please the whole family.
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas blend the comforting warmth of a classic quesadilla with a tangy barbecue sauce. Stuffed with succulent pieces of BBQ chicken, melted cheese, and finely chopped red onion, each bite offers a delightful mix of gooey, crunchy, and zesty. The addition of cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice introduces a fresh, bright contrast to the rich BBQ sauce, making these quesadillas irresistibly flavorful.
Cooked until golden and crispy on the outside, these quesadillas serve as a perfect quick meal or snack, offering a delicious way to use up leftover BBQ chicken in a dish that’s both satisfying and easy to make.
BBQ Chicken Salad
For a lighter take on leftover barbecue chicken, the BBQ Chicken Salad is a refreshing choice. It combines the smoky flavor of BBQ chicken with the crispness of fresh greens, juicy tomatoes, sweet corn, and creamy avocado.
A sprinkle of black beans and shredded cheese adds protein and richness, while a BBQ ranch dressing ties all the components together with a smooth, tangy finish. This salad is a vibrant, nutritious meal that’s both satisfying and guilt-free, perfect for a quick lunch or a healthy dinner option.
If this recipe looks delicious but don’t have BBQ chicken on hand, it’s also perfect when you have leftover rotisserie chicken. This recipe also is great as a bowl with a scoop of white rice.
BBQ Chicken Chili
If you can’t handle the decision between BBQ sauce and chili, that’s ok. This recipe, loaded with with delicious leftover tender chicken and black beans won’t make you choose. BBQ Chicken Chili is a hearty and flavorful twist on traditional chili, incorporating the sweet and smoky notes of BBQ chicken into a rich, spicy broth.
This innovative dish combines tender shredded BBQ chicken with a robust mix of beans, tomatoes, pepper, and corn, simmered with a blend of chili spices and a generous pour of barbecue sauce for depth and sweetness.
The result is a comforting bowl of chili that’s both familiar and excitingly different, with layers of flavor that build with every spoonful. Topped with sour cream, shredded cheese, and green onions, BBQ Chicken Chili is the perfect meal for chilly evenings, offering a warm, satisfying experience that’s as nourishing as it is delicious.
BBQ Chicken Pasta
BBQ Chicken Pasta is a hearty, comforting dish that seamlessly combines the smoky flavors of barbecue with the creamy, cheesy goodness of baked pasta.
This recipe makes excellent use of leftover chicken, which is tossed in your favorite BBQ sauce and then mixed with al dente pasta and tender, bright green broccoli florets for a touch of freshness and color. The mixture is then transferred to a baking dish, where it’s smothered in a rich, creamy sauce and sprinkled generously with mozzarella cheese.
Baked until bubbly and golden on top, this BBQ Chicken Pasta emerges as a harmonious blend of flavors and textures, with the smoky BBQ chicken perfectly complementing the soft pasta and crisp broccoli. It’s a deliciously satisfying meal that’s sure to become a family favorite, offering a creative way to repurpose leftover chicken into something spectacular.
More Leftover Recipes
If you love these leftover chicken recipes, you’ll love these recipes as well:
7 Delicious Leftover Potato Recipes
11 Leftover Roast Beef Recipes
31 Leftover Fried Chicken Recipes
Have questions or suggestions about these leftover BBQ chicken recipes? Leave them in the comments below.
