15 Leftover Grilled Chicken Recipes for Shortcut Weeknight Dinners

Grilled chicken is one of the most versatile proteins you can make, so there’s no shortage of ways to repurpose the leftovers. From chicken casseroles to salads to sandwiches, leftover grilled chicken doesn’t require much fuss to reinvent. We love that the tender protein gets a bit of smoky flavor from the grill, so you can use that to your advantage by incorporating it into chicken salads or soups for an extra kick. If you’re short on time and looking to create hearty meals that can last all week, start by cooking up a batch of our test kitchen's best grilled chicken. Store it in your refrigerator and benefit from the leftovers every day with these fun and inventive ways to repurpose them.

Crispy lettuce, smoky grilled chicken and creamy avocado make this one of the best salads you can make for lunch or dinner. While you can choose to sear your own chicken fresh, this salad is an even better way to use up leftover grilled chicken. The homemade dressing helps add moisture and creamy texture to every bite.

These shortcut chicken salad sandwiches are a great meal to make when you don’t have time to poach a whole chicken. Whether you use store-bought rotisserie chicken or leftover grilled chicken, it’s quick, easy and packed with flavor. A chewy croissant makes the perfect vessel for serving the refreshing salad.

Although this recipe uses freshly browned chicken, you could easily swap in leftover grilled chicken. Simply skip step one, and proceed with the recipe as normal. Be sure to sprinkle your grilled chicken with a bit of cumin and garlic powder before folding it into the enchiladas.

These tasty lettuce wraps can be ready in under a half hour, and they’re even quicker if you use pre-cooked, leftover chicken. Ginger, orange and hoisin add a bold flavor that’s sweet, spicy and acidic. Top with scallions and a squeeze of orange juice before serving in cups of crispy lettuce.

All your favorite Tex-Mex flavors come together in this comforting casserole that's fast and easy to throw together. Ready in under an hour, it’s a great way to use up leftover chicken too — simply chop up any leftover grilled chicken and add to the casserole for extra smoky flavor. Top with fresh cilantro and serve hot and bubbly.

Who said chili needed to sit on the stove for hours? This quick and easy shortcut meal calls for rotisserie chicken, but we think leftover grilled chicken adds even more smoky flavor. Serve with chips, cheese and chopped scallions.

Chicken and caesar salad is a classic combination. If you have leftover grilled chicken in the refrigerator, repurposing it into a bright and fresh salad is a great idea. While this recipe calls for fresh chicken, you can easily swap it out for leftover grilled chicken — it’ll cut your prep time in half!

Super satisfying and easy to whip up, these baked sweet potatoes are packed with flavor. Better yet, they’re a low maintenance meal that uses leftover chicken to save on time. Cheddar cheese adds sharp bite while salsa verde adds bold, spicy flavor.

Rotisserie chicken is the time-saving secret to this mash-up of two crowd-pleasing foods, but you could easily swap the rotisserie for leftover chicken you cooked at home. Simply stuff corn tortillas with a cheesy Buffalo filling and bake until melted for an easy weeknight meal or game day snack that's ready in a half hour.

If you have leftover grilled chicken, you're halfway done with Bobby's summery take on a classic dish. Simply reheat your grilled chicken, then give it the Cordon Bleu treatment by melting a little cheese on top and finishing it off with a pile of prosciutto and arugula.

Why fuss with making a traditional pot pie? You can finish this easy stove-top version in half the time by swapping out freshly-poached chicken for leftover grilled chicken. While this recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, using leftover grilled chicken helps give it a smoky, complex flavor.

This easy recipe is a fantastic way to use up leftover grilled chicken. Though it calls for shredded chicken, you can easily use cubed, leftover chicken instead. The homemade green goddess dressing is bright and zesty, making this a fun spin on the traditional chicken salad — but it’s just as cool and refreshing.

This casserole based on a favorite soup will satisfy any comfort food craving, and using leftover grilled chicken instead of rotisserie helps give it extra smoky depth. Partially cooking the egg noodles allows them to soak up the flavorful sauce without becoming too soft. Bake and serve hot and bubbly.

If you’re looking for an easy meal to prep in advance and assemble fresh whenever you want, these chicken burritos are a great option. Perfect for a midweek meal or a quick and filling lunch, leftover grilled chicken can be put to excellent use here. Chipotles in adobo sauce add extra spicy flavor.