The total per capita consumption of chicken in the US is predicted at 98.3 lbs by the end of 2022. But, according to data from 2016, around 15% of the chicken is wasted in the kitchen. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could make use of the leftover chicken too? Here are 4 ways you can make delicious meals with leftover chicken.
Tacos
The ingredients required to make tacos from leftover chicken are leftover chicken, olive oil, garlic, tomato paste, taco seasoning, taco shells, and toppings.
How to make tacos from leftover chicken
- Take a large frying pan and heat some oil.
- Add garlic to the oil and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and spices. Stir the mix and let it cook.
- Add 60 ml boiling water and mix with a wooden spoon.
- Add the leftover chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes on a medium flame.
- Place taco shells in a baking dish and spoon the chicken mix into the shells
- Add grated cheese on top.
- Bake or grill for 4-5 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Add your favorite toppings and serve.
Another twist to the taco is a Chicken Frittata, which can be a healthy meal for children.
Chicken Fried Rice
The ingredients needed include shredded leftover chicken, cooked rice (cold), vegetable or sunflower oil, beaten eggs, peas, sliced spring onions, and soy sauce.
Steps to make fried rice from leftover chicken
- Cook the rice a few hours before needed and let it drain and get as dry as possible.
- Place the rice in the fridge to completely cool it.
- Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable or sunflower oil in a wok.
- Add shredded chicken pieces when the oil is hot.
- Fry the chicken for 5 minutes until it is golden and starting to crisp. Remove the chicken from the oil.
- Add 2 beaten eggs to the wok and cook until scrambled. Remove and set aside.
- Add the cooked and cold rice and cook in the oil for a couple of minutes.
- Add peas, sweet corn, diced spring onions, scrambled egg, and soy sauce.
- When everything is golden and crispy, add the chicken and serve hot.
Chicken Sandwich
Along with the leftover chicken, you will need ciabatta bread, basil pesto, olives, tomato slices, and mozzarella cheese.
Steps to make the sandwich
- Shred the leftover chicken into small pieces and season it with salt and pepper.
- Slice the bread and spread basil pesto on one side of each slice.
- Place shredded chicken on the pesto sid.
- Top it with tomato slices, olives, mozzarella cheese
- Cover with a second slice of bread and grill.
- Your sandwich is ready.
Chicken Pasta
The ingredients required are leftover chicken, tomato sauce, onion, garlic, chopped tomatoes, herbs, pasta, seasoning, and basil.
How to make your favorite pasta
- Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the onions and garlic.
- Add chopped tomatoes.
- Cook for 3-4 minutes until the liquid reduces.
- Add the herbs.
- Add shredded or chopped chicken.
- Boil the pasta in water or chicken broth.
- Drain the cooked pasta and add to the chicken mix.
- Add seasonings and basil leaves.
- Serve hot.
Leftovers can become exciting meals with a little thought. It doesn’t need too much effort. Plus, you can come up with healthy recipes that both adults and children will love.
