Got Leftover Chicken Breast? Turn It Into Wholesome Dishes

Chicken breast is a healthier option of meat and a rich source of lean protein. Many fitness enthusiasts often opt for grilled chicken breasts, chicken piccata, chicken fajitas, and garlic knot chicken breasts for dinner. But the only downside is finishing every piece of meat. What if you are full? Do you throw away a perfectly good chicken breast?

Save it, store it in the refrigerator, and prepare a wholesome dish the next day. Leftover chicken breast on the kitchen counter means half of the cooking is done. Instead of spending hours cooking your meal, you will be done in a few minutes. Below are some recipes that allow you to transform leftover chicken breast into a lip-smacking delight.

Chicken Fried Rice

Leftover chicken breast and rice make a fulfilling fried rice. Chop the meat into smaller pieces and toss it with rice, soy sauce, eggs, ginger, garlic, and fresh herbs. You can also add a few vegetables like carrots, French beans, peas, and more. This is a perfect weeknight or weekend lunch and dinner. It is rich in protein, there is fibre because of vegetables, and it will also cater to your cravings for Chinese food.

Chicken Pasta

If you have leftover chicken breast, making pasta will be a cakewalk. Toss shredded chicken in butter along with garlic, cheese, cream, and pasta of your choice. This buttery and salty delight is a comfort meal that pairs well with white or pink wine. You can also add red sauce or pesto to infuse the ingredients with spices and minty freshness. The entire recipe will hardly take 15 minutes to prepare and can even be your go-to dish to cook for lazy or impromptu date nights.

BBQ Chicken Pizza

You can purposely prepare extra chicken breast on Friday to enjoy BBQ chicken pizza on Saturday. The only job you will have to ace is kneading the dough perfectly so that it rises and yields a soft and crispy crust. Top the base with pizza sauce and sprinkle shredded chicken, onions, cheese, bell peppers, and roughly chopped fresh basil. Bake until the crust is crispy, cheese is melted and bubbling. You will be in love with every bite of it.

Chicken Lettuce Wrap

If you are looking for a quick snack, leftover chicken breast will come in handy. Chop the meat and stir-fry it with soy sauce, garlic, water, and hoisin. Add some Italian seasoning, pepper, and red chilli flakes. Allow the mixture to cool off for two minutes, and add a spoonful of it to a crispy lettuce cup. Top it with fresh vegetables like onion, cucumber, and tomato slices. Every bite of this wrap is crunchy and leaves your mouth with a symphony of umami meat, sweet onion, and a slight sourness from tomatoes. It will take you no more than 15 minutes to prepare.

Chicken Salad

Leftover chicken breast can easily be transformed into a bowl of protein-rich salad. You can grill the meat, glaze it with lemon juice, butter, and fresh herbs, and make cuts on it. In a bowl, add roughly torn lettuce and fresh greens, stir-fried vegetables, some boiled chickpeas, and dressing of your choice. Toss the ingredients and finish the salad by adding chicken to it. You can pack this salad for tiffin or savour for dinner.