Christine's Cookbook

There are so many ways to use cooked chicken!  Now that I have been posting recipes for a while, I’d like to share one of my favorite things about cooking:  planning and cooking for the days ahead.

If you’re like, me, and you love to meal prep, making a big batch of chicken for the week is a frequent ingredient on my list.  But who wants to eat the same roasted or shredded chicken all week long?  Not me.  And even if you’re not a huge meal prepper, it is always good to have some ideas for reusing your chicken leftovers.  

Stir it into a pasta dish.

One dish pasta dinners are usually a quick and easy option that I turn to on work nights.  Having a protein already prepped makes it even simpler!

Recipe options:

• one pot red bell pepper rigatoni
  • 2 cups shredded or diced chicken
• simple chicken lo mein
  • 4 cups shredded chicken
• chicken parm baked ziti
  • 3 cups shredded chicken

Make a delicious and healthy soup.

Most of the prep work for a soup is cutting up all the ingredients, and then you just watch it cook.  You could also make your soup in an instant pot or slow cooker, and add your precooked chicken at the end to heat it up!

Recipe options:

• chicken and bok choy ginger soup
  • 2 cups shredded chicken
• classic chicken noodle soup
  • 2 cups shredded chicken

Salads and sandwiches.

I mean, topping a salad with chicken or using it in a sandwich is a no brainer.  Below are some foolproof options that I love to use.

Recipe options:

• pulled chicken parm sliders
  • combine shredded chicken with marinara and top on slider buns
• chicken caesar salad
  • prep chicken however you would like to top your salad!

Make something comforting.

Who says meal prep is only for dieting / clean eating?  Enjoy your short cut in a cozymeal that takes less effort!

Recipe options:

• homemade chicken pot pie
  • 4 cups shredded chicken
• muffin pan chicken pot pies
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded or diced chicken
• chicken tacos
  • shredded chicken
  • season with taco seasoning, and heat in a pan with 1/8 c water for every cup of chicken.

Add it to a skillet dinner.

Skillet dinners are great for when you need dinner quick, and don’t want to make a huge mess.  I use my skillet ALL THE TIME, and here are some recipes that are my go-to’s.

Recipe options:

• cashew chicken stir fry
  • chicken diced in 1 inch cubes
  • note:  add chicken after all vegetables are done cooking
• cheesy chicken and broccoli quinoa skillet
  • 2 cups shredded chicken

chicken leftovers meal plan meal prep no waste