Leftovers don’t have to be boring! If you’ve got chicken and rice sitting in your fridge, transform them into flavorful meals the whole family will enjoy. These recipes are quick, easy, and budget-friendly—perfect for busy nights or lazy weekends.
1. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded or diced)
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup frozen peas and carrots
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tsp garlic powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
In a large bowl, mix chicken, rice, cheese, peas and carrots, soup, milk, and seasonings.
Spread the mixture evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Serve warm and enjoy!
2. Chicken Fried Rice
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken (chopped)
3 cups cooked rice
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 eggs (beaten)
1 cup mixed vegetables (frozen or fresh)
2 tbsp sesame oil
1/4 cup chopped green onions
Instructions:
Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat.
Add vegetables and sauté for 3 minutes. Push to the side of the skillet.
Pour beaten eggs into the skillet, scramble, and mix with the vegetables.
Add chicken, rice, and soy sauce. Stir until everything is heated through.
Garnish with green onions and serve hot.
3. Chicken and Rice Soup
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
1 cup cooked rice
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup diced carrots
1/2 cup diced celery
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp black pepper
Salt to taste
Instructions:
In a large pot, bring chicken broth, carrots, celery, thyme, pepper, and salt to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer until vegetables are tender (about 15 minutes).
Stir in chicken and rice, and cook for another 5 minutes.
Serve warm with a crusty bread roll.
4. Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients:
4 bell peppers (tops removed, seeds and membranes cleaned)
2 cups cooked chicken (diced)
2 cups cooked rice
1 cup marinara sauce
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Mix chicken, rice, marinara sauce, cheese, and seasoning in a bowl.
Stuff the mixture into the hollowed bell peppers.
Place peppers upright in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 25 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly.
5. BBQ Chicken and Rice Bowls
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
2 cups cooked rice
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1 cup corn kernels (canned or frozen)
1/2 cup black beans (rinsed and drained)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Instructions:
In a bowl, mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce.
Divide rice into serving bowls.
Top each bowl with BBQ chicken, corn, black beans, and cilantro.
Serve immediately for a quick, flavorful meal.
Helpful Notes:
You can swap chicken for turkey in any of these recipes!
For extra flavor, try seasoning your rice with herbs or spices before incorporating it into recipes.
Store leftovers in airtight containers for up to 3 days.
Turn your leftovers into magic with these five ideas. Which one will you try first? Let us know!
