I am so happy grilling season is here again. It opens up so many more possibilities. One of my favorites is grilled chicken. Not the most exciting, maybe, but so versatile! So easy!
I like to make a giant batch of grilled chicken, have it for dinner that night with maybe a sweet potato and grilled vegetables, and then repurpose it for a few more dinners and lunches. When I make my meal plan, I put it in early in the week so we have leftovers. Or, I get it done over the weekend.
Making big batches is one of my favorite healthy eating tips. You’re already cooking, right? Why not make a bunch more and make your life easier on another day?
I keep the chicken simple, just seasoning it with salt, pepper, and a little bit of garlic powder. This way it is more versatile. You can use it for more recipes. You can add spices when you repurpose it to add flavor and change it up even more.
Here are some ways I use our leftover grilled chicken, other than just eating it as is….
10 Quick & Easy Grilled Chicken Meals
- Salad with Grilled Chicken. Cut up the chicken, add it to mixed greens, add some mix-ins, and top it as you like. I love cherry tomatoes, diced apples, sliced carrots, and sunflower seeds. My husband adds cheese to his salad, too. We use a healthy avocado oil salad dressing that’s easy and so healthy. This is a great lunch you can prep ahead of time!
- Chicken Salad. Chop the chicken up into smaller-than-bite-size pieces, add a healthy mayo alternative, some spices, maybe some chopped onion and dried cranberries. This is great for lunch, too. Have it as a sandwich or on top of a salad.
- Chicken Bacon Sensation. This tasty little meal feels like a real treat, so good it has to be called the Chicken Bacon Sensation. I take a piece of leftover chicken, top it with a slice or two of turkey bacon, and then some cheese, usually mozzarella. Heat it up in the oven until the cheese melts, maybe broiling it for a minute or two at the end. It’s so good. Savory and delicious. And as long as you don’t go too overboard with the cheese, it’s pretty healthy!
- Chicken with Pasta. Cut up the chicken into bite-size pieces and boil up some whole wheat pasta. Make a healthier version of your favorite alfredo sauce and toss it all together. Or add chopped chicken to your healthier version of macaroni and cheese. Or add it to pasta and steamed broccoli tossed with garlic and olive oil. Or just regular tomato sauce and pasta and some Italian seasonings. Throw in a bit of mozzarella cheese while you’re at it!
- Chicken Pita Pizza. I’m a little obsessed with pita pizzas lately. Take a whole wheat pita (made with minimal ingredients), top with tomato sauce and cubed chicken, then cheese. It is really tasty, and a healthier alternative to pizza from the pizza place. The chicken adds a healthy protein that you don’t usually get with pizza. Add a salad on the side or some chopped veggies right on your little pizza and you have a great meal. I’ll whip this up for myself sometimes when the kids are having pizza and I want to avoid the white flour in pizza crust.
- Stir Fry. Slice the chicken up into strips, add veggies, add a little soy sauce (or liquid aminos!) and throw it all over brown rice or quinoa.
- Chicken Fajitas. Fajitas are so easy and so delicious and so healthy. Having the leftover chicken makes them that much easier. Stir fry some pepper strips and onions in some olive oil, add the chicken (cut into strips) and fajita seasoning (see the recipe I use here) and you’re done in minutes. Wrap it all up in a healthy tortilla, add some fixings, and you have a great meal.
- Chicken Quesadillas. My kids love quesadillas. I love them, too. They’re not exactly the healthiest meal, but if you use a decent whole wheat tortilla they can be ok. Add some chopped leftover chicken and it’s even better.
- Chicken Sandwich. Make a chicken sandwich on healthy bread, like the sprouted flax seed bread I love. Add some greens and some tomato if you like. Add a slice or two of turkey bacon or a piece of cheese. That’s part of a nice healthy lunch or even dinner. The bread takes care of your healthy carbohydrate. Add some extra veggies, like a salad, and you have a great balanced meal.
- Greek Chicken Pita. Another pita idea. To add flavor you can cut the chicken into strips, kick it a quick spray of olive oil and toss it with some seasonings. Put it in a pita with a greek yogurt based sauce (like this one from allrecipes.com)and you have something a little different.
These meal ideas make planning and cooking easier for me and offer ways to keep from getting too bored with the chicken. Leftovers are a great way to eat healthy with less hassle!
What do you do with your leftover chicken? I’d love to hear new ideas!
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