Leftover Smoked Chicken Recipes are the perfect way to repurpose leftover smoked chicken meat into another dinner or lunch. Chicken seems to be one of those dinners I can smoke quickly, and the whole family loves dinner. So why not use it for dinner or lunch the next day??
(I have included affiliate links to products I love. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.) In addition, this post contains affiliate links that will make me a small commission when used to order online.
Smoked meat leftovers are one thing I love to feed my lunch box and my belly the next day. Repurposing smoked chicken into other meals is fantastic for the tummy but also good for meal prepping. The good-tasting food is just a bonus.
Pit Boss Pellet Grills
Traeger Pellet GrillsZ Grills Pellet Grills
I smoke most of my meat on my Pit Pellet Smoker; cooking low and slow is how I cook with it. Now, this also works amazing for leftover meals, using it as an oven but adding smoke flavor! I love the cost of them vs. other pellet grills, plus it hasn’t disappointed me yet.
How to Store Leftover Smoked Chicken
Once your chicken has cooled, you can shred it using the meat claws; in my opinion, chicken is easier to shred or tear apart when it is still warm. Place your chicken into an airtight container or bag and store it in the fridge. The chicken should be used or frozen within five days.
How To Freeze Leftover Smoked Chicken
Once your chicken is in an airtight container, please place it in the freezer; you can store it in the freezer for up to three months. Allow thawing within a food-safe temperature. You can freeze it as smoked shredded chicken or chunks of chicken. The frozen smoked chicken will retain the smoke flavor.
Now storing anything in the freezer requires the proper tools. I like storing leftovers in the freezer in an airtight container. What food can be sealed in a food saver I do that way, and without a food saver, I use actual freezer bags as regular Ziploc bags are not as good of a quality for freezing. The food scale is handy for measuring the amounts you are freezing to know the portion size.
Freezable storage ContainersFood SealerFreezer BagsFood Scale
Smoked Chicken Recipes
If you use chicken on the bone, you will want to debone the chicken. I find this easier to do when the smoked chicken is slightly warm. You can keep or remove the skin of the smoked chicken leftovers; that is a personal preference. If I am making soup, I like the skin for flavoring.
- Smoked Chicken Breasts– I often use this to make my leftover recipes. I always make a huge batch to have leftovers to shred up.
- Smoked Cornish Game Hens– The brine adds a good flavor that is tasty in leftovers, and it’s easy to put an extra hen on the smoker to use for the smoked chicken meat.
How To Make Shredded Smoked Chicken!
Smoke your chicken breasts or other chicken. Once you are done smoking, you can shred the chicken. See my Shredded Smoked Chicken post. (see it ->here)
Now if you don’t have leftover smoked chicken for some of these recipes, you can use Crockpot Shredded Chicken; I have done this for chicken noodle soup and pot pies. It’s still pretty tasty in a pinch.
What to do with leftover smoked chicken
You can reheat the chicken and eat it as is no problem. Or you can debone the chicken or shred it. Just place the smoked chicken in any place you use: shredded or canned chicken. Even if not made again in the smoker, recipes with smoked chicken will have the smoked flavor.
Leftover Smoked Chicken Recipes:
Smoked Chicken Noodle Soup– This Smoked Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe is the perfect way to make comfort food on your smoker! Use smoked chicken breast to bring even more flavor! Get the recipe -> here.
Smoked Chicken Pot Pie-The perfect comfort food to make on a pellet grill!! The smoked flavor is fantastic on the crust and the chicken in the pot pie. Get the recipe > here.
Leftover Smoked Chicken Salad– An easy way to use leftover smoked chicken; this was what we made the first time we asked ourselves what to make with smoked chicken! Pair up with good bread to make the perfect sandwich for lunch at work the next day! Get the recipe -> here.
Smoked White Chicken Chili– Shred the chicken into a delicious white bean chili! Just shred up the smoked chicken and throw it in the Dutch oven the next day on the smoker. Get the recipe ->here.
Stove Top Casserole– This is the ultimate leftover smoked chicken casserole when you add in smoked chicken! Made with stuffing, cheese, and creamy sauce. Use the shredded smoked chicken to bake or smoke this casserole! Get the recipe -> here.
Slow Cooker Chicken Pot Pie Soup– Add the smoke flavor to this fantastic comfort food, shred the chicken, and allow it to simmer with the pot pie fixings for a tasty soup. Get the recipe ->here.
Easy Chicken Quesadilla Dip– Make an easy dip for an appetizer or tailgating. The added smoke flavoring will pair great with the dip ingredients. Get the recipe-> here.
sides to go with smoked chicken leftovers
Any side will pair with your smoked chicken leftover recipes!! If I am smoking the meal, I love using one of my Best Smoked Side Dishes! But grilled side dishes also work perfect as well!
Sides: Smoked Deviled Egg Macaroni Salad, Easy Smoked Queso Dip, Smoked Cream Cheese, Smoked Refried Bean Dip, Creamy Smoked Macaroni And Cheese, Tomato Caprese Appetizer, Grilled Twice Baked Potatoes, and Smoked Potato Salad
Pellet Smoker Recipes To check out
Looking for more smoker recipes?? Be sure to check out Smoker Recipes. The post contains smoker recipes from ham to macaroni and cheese to Prime Rib! See it -> here.
- Dutch Oven In The Smoker Recipes
- Special Occasion And Holiday Recipes
- Smoked Side Dishes
- Smoked Deli Salads
Leave a Reply