The best leftover chicken recipes

Make a broth more robust by using the leftover chicken carcass for the stock. Dark soy, ginger and honey give this chicken noodle soup a fragrant Chinese flavour and pieces of leftover roast chicken are optional (the stock should be potent enough that you don't need it). Sprinkle over spring onions and chilli for a kick and enjoy the combination of crunchy, tangy pickled ginger with the soft umami noodles.

2. Chicken & leek filo pie

What could be better after a long day than sitting down to a filo-topped chicken & leek pie? It only takes 15 minutes to prep, then put your feet up for a bit before throwing together some buttered cabbage and creamy mashed potato to serve with it.

3. Mexican chicken & black bean wraps

Good Food's got your leftovers all wrapped up. Smother your tortillas with cheese, hot sauce, guacamole and all your favourite toppings for our Mexican-inspired chicken & black bean wraps. Not only do they count towards your five-a-day but they can be on the table in just over half-an-hour. Perfect for sharing, try these DIY dinner wraps for a night in with your family.

4. Leftover roast chicken pad thai

Take your tastebuds on a trip to Thailand with our leftover chicken pad Thai. Any dish with oodles of noodles and juicy king prawns is a winner in our book. It's all about the aromatics, though. Transform what could be boring and bland with sriracha, shrimp paste and tamarind – great storecupboard ingredients to have handy. Finish with a squeeze of zesty lime.

5. Chicken & freekeh salad

Our chicken & freekeh salad is an easy throw-together meal that's chock-full of good-for-you greens like asparagus, avocado and cucumber. There's plenty of crunch and flavour, too, from radishes, toasted pine nuts and a fresh salsa verde to complement the chicken. As salads go, this earthy recipe is more substantial than most and it counts as two of your five-a-day.

6. Roast chicken soup

Pinching pennies doesn't have to mean skimping on flavour. Go for a rustic chicken soup with a dose of garlic, a smattering of thyme and a cheesy scone on the side. Ideal for warming up on a chilly evening, this marvellously moreish concoction can also be frozen for an even quicker meal at a later date – or use a slow cooker to have it ready when you need it. See the tip box for our feta & spinach scone recipe.

7. Chicken & bean enchiladas

Frugal cooking at its finest. Try these flavoursome chicken & bean enchiladas for a speedy, cheesy supper. Bulk up your wraps with tinned kidney beans, sweetcorn and your favourite fresh veg. Ramp up the spice, too, for those who enjoy a dish with some peppery punch. Serve golden and bubbling.

8. Roast chicken & pea risotto

Stir up a budget-friendly chicken risotto with a little thyme – this herb goes so well with chicken – crème fraîche and of course, a healthy grating of parmesan. If you boil the leftover carcass to make stock, it'll be even better. In any case it's a real winter warmer and sure to become a family favourite.

9. Mexican bean soup with shredded chicken & lime

Here's more comforting bowl food – our Mexican bean soup with shredded chicken & lime. Make use of any canned beans sitting in the storecupboard to whip up this low-cost meal that's ideal for two. It's healthy, hearty, low-calorie and low-fat, plus you can cook it in one pot. Serve with crusty bread.

10. Chicken & mushroom hotpot

Slide your spoon through a layer of lightly crisped potatoes and into a richly flavoured, umami filling. Our chicken & mushroom hot-pot is a wholesome, family-friendly dish that uses whatever vegetables you have in the back of the fridge along with the leftover chicken, plus fresh button mushrooms. Delicious.

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What's your favourite recipe for leftover chicken? Leave a comment below...