Recipes for Leftover Smoked Chicken are the best way to use up extra smoked chicken meat in another meal. Chicken seems to be one of those dinners I can smoke quickly, and the whole family loves dinner. So why not use it for dinner or lunch the next day??.
I like to pack smoked meat leftovers for lunch and eat them for dinner the next day. Repurposing smoked chicken into other meals is fantastic for the tummy but also good for meal prepping. The good-tasting food is just a bonus.
I smoke most of my meat on my Pit Pellet Smoker; cooking low and slow is how I cook with it. Now, this also works amazing for leftover meals, using it as an oven but adding smoke flavor! I love the cost of them vs. other pellet grills, plus it hasn’t disappointed me yet.
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Smoked chicken is a staple in many homes. The soft, smoky meat is great for sandwiches, casseroles, and more. But what do you do with leftover smoked chicken? With a little imagination, you can turn that chicken into an easy and tasty dinner! Here are 12 ideas that will make your mouth water!
1. Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a classic way to use up extra chicken. To make it taste even better, use leftover smoked chicken. Dice the chicken and mix it with mayonnaise, celery, onions, grapes, apples, or any other foods you like. Add lemon juice, salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs and spices to taste. Make a meal out of it by putting it on bread, crackers, or lettuce.
2. Quesadillas
It’s easy and quick to make quesadillas, and they taste even better with leftover smoked chicken. Dice or shred the chicken and mix it with salsa, beans, corn, or other vegetables. Put the mixture between tortillas and cook until the cheese melts. Simple quesadillas are taken to the next level by the smoky chicken flavors.
3. Pasta Dishes
Put your extra smoked chicken on top of pasta for a quick one-pan meal. Smoked chicken tastes great with Alfredo, pesto, tomato, and cream sauces. Sun-dried tomatoes or artichokes, along with vegetables like spinach, broccoli, or zucchini, can make it taste even better. The possibilities are endless for smoky chicken pasta creations.
4. Soups
Using leftover smoked chicken in soups adds hearty protein and intense smoky depth. Try a smoked chicken noodle soup, tortilla soup, or creamy tomato basil soup with chicken. You can also add smoked chicken to vegetable soups, chilis, and stews to make them more substantial meals. The smokiness infuses the broth for maximum flavor.
5. Enchiladas
For an easy baked enchilada recipe, fill tortillas with shredded smoked chicken, cheese, beans, rice, or veggies. Roll them up, top with enchilada sauce and more cheese, and bake until gooey. The bold Mexican flavors pair perfectly with the mellow smokiness of the chicken. Plus, enchiladas are a great way to repurpose leftovers into an impressive meal.
6. Stir Fry
Fire up a wok and use leftover smoked chicken in a flavorful stir fry. Try pairing it with broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or other favorite veggies. Season it with stir fry sauce, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic. The subtle smoky flavor adds complexity that takes this classic to the next level. Serve it over rice or noodles.
7. Tacos
Leftover smoked chicken is tasty in tacos, either in the filling or chopped on top. Pair it with sautéed peppers and onions, beans, cheese, lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole, and other favorite taco fillings. The smokiness gives otherwise mundane ground beef tacos an upgrade in texture and flavor.
8. Casseroles
Casseroles are convenient meals that are easily customized. Combine smoked chicken with rice, pasta, or veggies, then top with sauce or gravy and cheese. Try chicken divan, chicken tetrazzini, or a cheesy chicken broccoli casserole. You can assemble a casserole in advance and simply bake it when ready for dinner.
9. Salad Topper
Simply chop or shred leftover smoked chicken to top any salad for a protein boost. It pairs well with greens, tomatoes, avocados, bacon, cheeses, eggs, beans, and other salad ingredients. Toss it in your favorite dressing for an easy lunch or light dinner. Smoked chicken gives salads more heft and smoky depth.
10. Sandwiches and Wraps
Pile smoked chicken onto bread, rolls, pitas, or tortillas for hearty sandwiches and wraps. Combine it with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, bacon, caramelized onions, or chipotle mayo. Grill the sandwich for extra flavor. Wraps make excellent easy lunches to pack for work or school.
11. Breakfast Dishes
Wake up to the smoky goodness of leftover chicken in your morning meals. Add it to omelets, breakfast burritos, hash, or scrambled egg bakes. Use it in place of sausage or bacon in classics like biscuits and gravy. Smoked chicken also elevates waffles or pancakes when chopped on top.
12. Snacks
When you need a quick appetizer or snack, reach for leftover smoked chicken. Serve it on crackers, flatbread, or toast points with cream cheese, pesto, or tapenade. Stuff it in mini phyllo cups or lettuce wraps for bite-sized finger foods. Dice it up to add to dips, cheese balls, and spreads. Smoked chicken always satisfies snack cravings.
With a little imagination and these handy ideas, leftover smoked chicken can become an exciting everyday ingredient rather than boring leftovers. Its versatility allows you to give weeknight meals and potluck dishes a quick flavor upgrade. Smoked chicken scraps also work great when added to casseroles, pastas, salads, or soups. Don’t let it go to waste! Get creative with the smoky meat in sandwiches, wraps, tacos, breakfasts, and more.
What To Do With Leftover Smoked Chicken
You can reheat the chicken and eat it as is no problem. Or you can debone the chicken or shred it. Just place the smoked chicken in any place you use: shredded or canned chicken. Even if not made again in the smoker, recipes with smoked chicken will have the smoked flavor.
Recipes Using Smoked Chicken
Smoked Chicken Noodle Soup– This Smoked Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is the perfect way to make comfort food on your smoker! Use smoked chicken breast to bring even more flavor! Get the recipe -> here.
Smoked Chicken Pot Pie-The perfect comfort food to make on a pellet grill!! The smoked flavor is fantastic on the crust and the chicken in the pot pie. Get the recipe > here.
This is an easy way to use up leftover smoked chicken. It’s also what we made the first time we wondered what to make with smoked chicken! Put it on good bread and you’ll have the perfect sandwich for lunch at work the next day! Get the recipe here.
Smoked White Chicken Chili– Shred the chicken into a delicious white bean chili! Just shred up the smoked chicken and throw it in the Dutch oven the next day on the smoker. Get the recipe ->here.
Stove Top Casserole– This is the ultimate leftover smoked chicken casserole when you add in smoked chicken! Made with stuffing, cheese, and creamy sauce. Use the shredded smoked chicken to bake or smoke this casserole! Get the recipe -> here.
Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup– Add the smoke flavor to this fantastic comfort food, shred the chicken, and allow it to simmer with the pot pie fixings for a tasty soup. Get the recipe ->here.
Easy Chicken Quesadilla Dip– Make an easy dip for an appetizer or tailgating. The added smoke flavoring will pair great with the dip ingredients. Get the recipe-> here.
Smoked Chicken Fried Rice– Use leftover shredded chicken breasts to make this delicious fried rice. Get the recipe -> here.
How to Smoke Chicken Breast That Doesn’t SUCK
FAQ
What is smoked chicken?
Spices are mixed into smoked chicken, and it is smoked over smoldering wood for several hours, until the meat is ready to fall off the bone. At Tubby’s Q, even the pulled pork and sausage are smoked using this slow and low wood fire. All of our sides are freshly prepared in the smokehouse and, in our opinion, taste better than home cooking.
Can you smoke a whole chicken?
No matter if smoking a whole chicken or individual cuts of chicken, it’s important to trim off any excess fat or loose hanging skin. Use sharp kitchen shears or a boning knife to remove extra skin around the neck area of a whole chicken or overhanging skin on individual cuts.
How do you smoke a whole chicken?
In order to smoke a whole chicken in a Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker, you must first heat it up to 250 degrees Fahrenheit. Put the chicken that has been seasoned in the smoker and cook it until the thickest parts of the chicken reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside.
What is smoked chicken good for?
Protein: Smoked chicken is a good source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall health. Low in Carbs: It is typically low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets.
What can you use leftover smoked chicken for?
- Smoked Chicken Enchiladas (Two Ways) …
- Smoky Chicken Tostadas with Chipotle Chile Slaw. …
- Smoked Chicken Corn Chowder Recipe. …
- King Ranch Chicken Mac And Cheese. …
- Quick Chicken And Barley Stew. …
- White Lightning Chicken Chili. …
- Stove Top Casserole.
What is the best way to eat smoked chicken?
Serve smoked chicken with mac and cheese, coleslaw, and a drizzle of Alabama white sauce because it’s simply amazing and it comes from Texas! Or with BBQ sauce. You can also serve it with just smothered potatoes and a side salad, or if you’re grilling, then make these baked potatoes on the grill.
Is smoked chicken already cooked?
To Serve: Smoked poultry is cured, smoked, fully cooked and ready to serve, hot or cold.