Maybe you go a great deal on whole chickens, picked up a rotisserie at the store, or got a huge Turkey for Thanksgiving. Regardless, there are lots of fun ways to save your bird for other meals. For us, chicken and turkey are fairly interchangeable, so don’t be afraid to make some turkey and dumplings instead of with chicken and vice versa. Here are some of our favorite leftover chicken recipes for an entire week of meals with shredded chicken.
A year ago my second daughter was born. A sweet family we had known for years dropped off a large rotisserie chicken, some veggies, and bread to help cover meals for us, especially since our daughter was a home birth.
But I felt like I was eating chicken for days.
And itwas the same feeling I get every Thanksgiving — the never ending turkey syndrome.
But since I had just given birth, I needed some really easy meal ideas that didn’t keep me on my feet for a long period of time or that I could quickly whip up. So it was mission of mine to curate a list of recipes that use shredded chicken (because that’s what it would be once I tore it with my bare hands off the bone).
And now, it’s a common meal plan in our home to buy a whole chicken or turkey and use it in various ways throughout the entire week. Because it’s easy. In fact, it’s also a great way to ensure that all of the food in our fridge gets used.
What to do with leftovers from whole chickens and turkeys
The first thing I always do it rip the meat off the bones and put it in a storage container. Not only does this mean I am doing the prep work for all my favorite shredded chicken recipes, but it also means that I can go ahead and use the bones to make homemade broth.
Which in turn helps with making some of the other meals for the week.
Plus, if you’re worried about the chicken going bad, all of the shredded portions can be frozen and put away to pull out when you’re ready to make on of the leftover chicken recipes below.
Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup
One of our favorite meals after a big chicken is a healthy and hearty chicken noodle soup. It’s a great way to use your fresh, homemade broth and a comforting meal with tons of veggies.
Ethiopian Inspired Chicken
We recently made this and varied it ourselves, making our own spice similar to berebere. My Indian, Ethiopian, and Thai food loving husband approved so much that he couldn’t stop talking about it and begged me to make it again this week.
Chicken Wraps
A quick and simple lunch idea is to throw together some tasty lettuce and veggies wraps with your turkey or chicken. In fact, throw in some of the cranberry sauce you may have leftover from your Thanksgiving meal and it’s quite a tasty lunch creation.
Chicken & Dumplings
The simple way to make chicken and dumplings is to boil your chicken/turkey stock that you made from the bones, toss in biscuits torn in thirds, and add your shredded chicken. Season it as desired. It’s an extraordinarily easy dumpling recipe.
White Chicken Chili
Our familyloves chili. In fact, so much so that it’s my 10 month old’s favorite food. So shake up your normalchili recipeand make this variation with this zesty chicken chili recipe.
Chicken Penne Ricotta Bake
While meat was never a part of my original recipe, my husband kindly mentioned that i should maybe add some to this really tasty dish. And so, I did. Just take about a cup of shredded chicken and layer it on top of the noodles to make this delicious meal evenheartier.
Wedding Soup
What a great way to get lots of veggies and fill up your tummies with a delicious meal. And especially because when you get to the end of the week you may be running low on chicken, this is a great appetizer too to go with a pasta dish.
A few bonus ways to use that turkey & leftover chicken
Barbecue Chicken Dip Cups
Mexican Lasagna
Tetrazzini
Kara is an author and advocate for positive, grace-filled parenting. She is homeschooler to her 5 children living on a farm in New England. She believes in creative educational approaches to help kids dive deeper into a rich learning experience and has her degree in Secondary Education & Adolescent Childhood Development. She is passionate about connecting with and helping other parents on their journey to raise awesome kids!
FAQs
USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.
How long is leftover turkey good for? ›
USDA recommends using cooked turkey within 3 to 4 days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. Turkey can be frozen for 3 to 4 months. Although safe indefinitely, frozen leftovers can lose moisture and flavor when stored for longer times in the freezer.
Is chicken better than turkey for Thanksgiving? ›
Chickens are much smaller than turkeys, which make them a great alternative for smaller families or gatherings. Unless, of course, you want to eat leftover turkey for weeks. Because chickens are smaller, cooking them is also so much easier to manage.
Can you substitute chicken for turkey on Thanksgiving? ›
There are so many options with less waste. A whole chicken makes the perfect turkey substitute. To make it extra special, try this recipe for Parmesan Crusted Garlic Butter Chicken with Cauliflower!
Is 2 year old frozen chicken still good? ›
How long can you store chicken in your freezer? According to the USDA, frozen chicken will be "safe indefinitely" as long as you keep it continuously frozen (i.e., you're not unfreezing it and then re-freezing it because you didn't have a chance to cook or eat it).
Can I eat 10 day old chicken? ›
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw chicken can be kept in your fridge approximately 1–2 days. The same applies to raw turkey and other poultry (1). Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3–4 days (1).
Is a 3 year old frozen turkey still good? ›
Turkeys can be kept in the freezer indefinitely. However, cook turkeys within 1 year for the best quality.
Can you eat 10 day old turkey? ›
Turkey typically lasts up to four days in the fridge before it goes bad. It can be stored in the freezer for up to four months before it starts to lose its flavor and texture.
Is it OK to eat turkey that's been in the fridge for 2 weeks? ›
If properly stored, raw turkey can last in the fridge for 1–2 days, while cold cuts last up to 5 days. How long does cooked turkey last in the fridge? If you have leftovers that include cooked turkey, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Which is the healthiest turkey or chicken? ›
Both chicken and turkey provide healthy protein. Generally, chicken tends to be higher in vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid, and turkey tends to be lower in calories, fat, and sodium while having more zinc, niacin, and vitamin B12.
In terms of calories, fat, and protein, turkey breast and chicken breast are similar. Turkey breast contains about 44 calories, six grams of protein, and two grams of fat per ounce. Chicken breast contains slightly more protein and slightly less fat. But, to most people, these differences are negligible.
What meat is better than turkey? ›
Beyond saturated fat, beef has a little more iron, zinc and selenium than does turkey. Turkey has slightly more potassium and phosphorus, and turkey and beef provide similar amounts of protein. The take-home message is that both turkey and beef can be part of a healthy diet.
What do you say instead of Happy Thanksgiving? ›
Short Thanksgiving greetings
May the chairs around your table be filled with those you love. May this day and every day be filled with love, joy and happiness. Wishing you every blessing of this bountiful season. May the blessings of Thanksgiving fill your heart and home with joy.
Does KFC make turkey for Thanksgiving? ›
It can be preordered from now until Thanksgiving, and picked up at participating KFC locations (they'll even be open on Thanksgiving until 4 p.m.). The turkey can be purchased a la carte for $70 or as part of a KFC's Holiday Meal for $100, or in a Holiday Feast for $110.
What is an adult female turkey called? ›
Adult female turkeys are called hens. Juvenile females are called jennies.
Can I eat leftover chicken after 5 days? ›
How Long Can You Keep Cooked Chicken in the Fridge? The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that cooked chicken can last three to four days in the refrigerator, if stored at 40°F or less. 1 And that goes for any type of cooked chicken—store-bought, homemade, or restaurant leftovers.
Can I eat chicken 5 days after use by? ›
never eat food after the use-by date, even if it looks and smells ok. it is safe to eat food until midnight on the use-by date shown on a product, but not after, unless the food has been cooked or frozen.
Does chicken go bad after 4 days in fridge? ›
Storing Chicken in the Fridge
Storing chicken to use in the immediate future? No need to stash it in the freezer — it's OK to store raw chicken (whole or in pieces) for 1–2 days in the fridge. If you have leftovers that include cooked chicken, you can expect those to last in the refrigerator for 3–4 days.
Is chicken bad after 3 days in the fridge? ›
At home, immediately place chicken in a refrigerator that maintains 40 °F. Cook raw chicken within one or two days, or freeze at 0 °F. You can keep cooked chicken in the refrigerator three to four days or freeze it within that length of time. If kept frozen continuously, it will be safe indefinitely.
