30+ Mouthwatering Ideas for What to Do with Barbecue Chicken

Got leftover BBQ chicken sitting in your fridge? Don’t let that delicious smoky goodness go to waste! As someone who grills chicken almost weekly during summer, I’ve faced the “what now?” dilemma more times than I can count. The good news? That leftover barbecue chicken is practically begging to be transformed into something amazing.

Whether you’ve got BBQ chicken from last night’s cookout or you’re meal prepping with a batch of slow cooker BBQ chicken, I’ve rounded up over 30 creative and simple ways to give it new life. From quick lunch ideas to hearty family dinners, these recipes will make you excited about leftovers!

How to Store Your BBQ Chicken Properly First

Before diving into recipes, let’s make sure your chicken stays fresh and safe:

• Allow chicken to cool completely before storing
• Store in shallow airtight containers
• Keep meat separate from bones for best results
• Refrigerate for 3-4 days or freeze for up to 4 months
• When reheating, ensure chicken reaches 165°F internally

Now that we’ve got that covered, let’s explore all the delicious possibilities!

Quick & Easy Lunch Ideas

1. BBQ Chicken Wraps

Turn your leftover chicken into a portable lunch by wrapping it in a tortilla with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and a drizzle of ranch dressing. It’s less messy than a sandwich and perfect for on-the-go eating.

2. BBQ Chicken Salad

For a lighter option, toss your chicken with:

• Mixed greens
• Corn
• Black beans
• Shredded cheese
• BBQ ranch dressing

This hearty main-dish salad is both healthy and filling!

3. BBQ Chicken Quesadillas with Avocado

These take just 15 minutes and need only 4 ingredients! Fill tortillas with Monterey Jack cheese, BBQ chicken, and sautéed onions, then cook until the cheese melts Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for dipping

4. Loaded Chicken Salad

Mix your shredded BBQ chicken with mayo, diced celery, red onion, and a touch more BBQ sauce. Serve on crackers, in lettuce cups, or as a sandwich filling

5. Curry Chicken Salad

For a surprising twist, mix your BBQ chicken with curry powder, mayo, diced apples, and raisins. The sweet and spicy flavors work surprisingly well with the smoky barbecue notes.

Family-Friendly Dinner Ideas

6. BBQ Chicken Pizza

Pizza night gets an upgrade when you top your favorite crust with:

• BBQ sauce instead of traditional pizza sauce
• Leftover BBQ chicken
• Red onions
• Cilantro
• Mozzarella cheese

Bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden. My kids literally cheer when I make this!

7. BBQ Chicken Nachos

Layer tortilla chips with shredded BBQ chicken, beans, cheese, and all your favorite toppings. Bake until the cheese melts for an irresistible snack or casual dinner that’s ready in minutes.

8. BBQ Chicken Pasta Bake

Combine cooked pasta with your shredded chicken, diced red peppers, onions, and BBQ sauce. Top with cheese and bake until golden and bubbly. This one-dish meal is pure comfort food!

9. BBQ Chicken Sliders

These mini sandwiches are perfect for using up leftover chicken. Just pile the meat onto small buns with pickles and extra BBQ sauce. Add some cheese and bacon for extra indulgence. They’re great for parties or quick weeknight dinners.

10. BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese

What makes mac and cheese better? BBQ chicken! Stir your leftover chicken into your favorite mac and cheese recipe for a protein boost and flavor explosion.

11. BBQ Chicken Fried Rice

Ready in just 15-20 minutes, this is a fantastic way to use up both leftover chicken AND leftover rice. Stir-fry with veggies, eggs, and soy sauce, then mix in your BBQ chicken at the end.

Creative Fusion Ideas

12. BBQ Chicken Tacos

Revamp taco night by swapping traditional fillings with shredded BBQ chicken. Top with sliced avocado, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and a dollop of sour cream for a fusion dish everyone will love.

13. BBQ Chicken Tostadas

Crisp up some corn tortillas, then top with refried beans, BBQ chicken, lettuce, cheese, and salsa. These provide all the crunch and flavor you crave!

14. BBQ Chicken Flatbread Sandwiches

Layer naan bread or pizza dough with BBQ chicken, bacon, Swiss cheese, lettuce, and ranch dressing. Bake until the bread is crispy for a hearty handheld meal.

15. BBQ Chicken Zucchini Boats

For a lower-carb option, scoop out zucchini halves and fill them with a mixture of BBQ chicken, cheese, and your favorite veggies. Bake until tender for a healthier dinner option.

16. BBQ Chicken Pineapple Bowl

Mix your leftover chicken with a can of chopped pineapple. The sweetness from the pineapple complements the tangy barbecue sauce perfectly. Serve over lemon rice for a tropical-inspired meal.

One-Dish Comfort Foods

17. BBQ Chicken Casserole with Sweet Potato

Combine your leftover chicken with cooked rice, corn, black beans, and additional BBQ sauce. Top with cheese and breadcrumbs, then bake until bubbly. This hearty one-dish meal is perfect for busy weeknights.

18. BBQ Chicken Tetrazzini

This twist on the classic chicken tetrazzini uses BBQ chicken instead of plain. The smoky flavor adds depth to this creamy pasta bake.

19. BBQ Chicken Soup

Transform your leftovers into a hearty soup by simmering the chicken in broth with carrots, celery, onion, and potatoes. The barbecue flavor infuses the soup with sweet, smoky depth.

20. BBQ Chicken Chili

Add your chicken to a pot of chili along with beans, veggies, and spices. The BBQ flavor gives the chili wonderful complexity. Top with cheese, onions, and sour cream.

21. Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

This indulgent casserole combines BBQ chicken with cream cheese, sour cream, and a crunchy topping for a dish that tastes like a million bucks!

Handheld & Sandwich Ideas

22. Grilled BBQ Chicken and Cheese Sandwich

Upgrade your grilled cheese by adding BBQ chicken between the slices before grilling. It’s like a BBQ chicken melt that’s ready in just 5 minutes!

23. BBQ Chicken Flautas

Roll BBQ chicken in tortillas and fry until crispy. Serve with guacamole and sour cream for dipping.

24. BBQ Chicken Burrito

Wrap BBQ chicken with rice, beans, cheese, and your favorite burrito fillings for a hearty meal.

25. BBQ Chicken Sliders with Ranch Slaw

Top mini buns with BBQ chicken and a cool, creamy ranch slaw for the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Healthier Options

26. BBQ Chicken Power Bowl

Create a nutritious bowl with:

• BBQ chicken
• Brown rice or cauliflower rice
• Roasted veggies
• Avocado
• A drizzle of BBQ sauce

These customizable bowls are perfect for meal prep!

27. BBQ Chicken Lettuce Wraps

For a low-carb option, fill butter lettuce cups with a mixture of BBQ chicken, diced red onion, bell pepper, shredded carrots, and chopped cilantro.

28. BBQ Chicken Cobb Salad

Top romaine lettuce with BBQ chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, and blue cheese for a hearty but healthy meal.

29. Stuffed BBQ Chicken Baked Potatoes

Split baked potatoes and fill with BBQ chicken, a little butter, and your favorite toppings. It’s a complete meal in one!

30. BBQ Chicken Twice-Baked Potatoes

These loaded potatoes contain all the makings of a full chicken dinner and are infinitely customizable. Skip the jalapeños if you don’t like spice, or swap the cheese for your favorite variety.

Quick 3-Ingredient Crockpot BBQ Chicken Recipe

Don’t have leftover chicken but want to try these recipes? Here’s an easy way to make BBQ chicken in your slow cooker:

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
• 2 tablespoons dry ranch seasoning (1 packet)
• 1 cup BBQ sauce (Sweet Baby Ray’s works great!)

Instructions:

1. Place chicken in crockpot
2. Cover with ranch seasoning on both sides
3. Pour BBQ sauce over the chicken
4. Cover and cook on high for 2.5-3 hours or low for 3.5-4 hours
5. Shred chicken with forks and stir into sauce

This makes about 4-6 servings and can be used in any of the recipes above!

Final Thoughts

With so many options for using leftover BBQ chicken, you might start making extra on purpose! These recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or just when you want to transform yesterday’s dinner into something completely new.

Happy cooking!

Great side dishes for BBQ chicken include classics like potato salad, coleslaw, and baked beans, as well as corn on the cob, mac and cheese, and cornbread. You can also opt for lighter options such as grilled vegetables and fresh salads with ingredients like cucumber, tomato, or mango. For something different, consider pasta salads, fried okra, or sweet potato fries.