What to Cook with Leftover Chicken and Rice: 8 Easy Recipes

The Most Common Leftover Combo

Leftover chicken and rice might be the most universal fridge situation. Whether it's from last night's dinner or meal prep gone wrong, these two ingredients are begging to be transformed.

The good news: This combo is incredibly versatile. From Asian stir-fries to Mexican bowls, here are 8 ways to turn your leftovers into something even better than the original.

1. Classic Chicken Fried Rice (10 mins)

The king of leftover transformations.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 3 cups day-old rice (cold rice works best!)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup frozen peas and carrots
• 3 green onions, chopped

Instructions:

1. Heat oil in a wok over high heat
2. Scramble eggs, push to the side
3. Add rice, break up clumps, stir-fry 3 minutes
4. Add vegetables, chicken, and soy sauce
5. Toss everything together, drizzle sesame oil
6. Top with green onions

Pro tip: The secret to restaurant-quality fried rice is using cold, day-old rice. Fresh rice is too moist.

---

2. Chicken Rice Soup (15 mins)

Comfort in a bowl, ready in 15 minutes.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• Salt, pepper, thyme

Instructions:

1. Bring broth to a boil with carrots and celery
2. Simmer 10 minutes until vegetables are tender
3. Add rice and chicken
4. Season and serve

Bonus: This soup freezes beautifully for future lazy days.

---

3. Chicken Burrito Bowl (10 mins)

Chipotle at home, minus the $15 price tag.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can black beans, drained
• 1 cup corn
• Salsa, sour cream, cheese
• Lime, cilantro

Instructions:

1. Warm chicken with a splash of salsa
2. Season rice with lime juice and cilantro
3. Layer: rice, beans, corn, chicken
4. Top with cheese, sour cream, more salsa

Estimated savings: $12 vs. ordering out

---

4. Chicken Rice Casserole (25 mins)

Set it and forget it comfort food.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• Salt, pepper, garlic powder

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, rice, soup, broccoli, and half the cheese
2. Pour into a greased baking dish
3. Top with remaining cheese
4. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes

---

5. Asian Chicken Rice Bowl (10 mins)

Quick, healthy, and packed with flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 avocado, sliced
• Sriracha mayo
• Soy sauce, sesame seeds

Instructions:

1. Warm rice and chicken
2. Arrange in bowls with cucumber and avocado
3. Drizzle with sriracha mayo and soy sauce
4. Sprinkle sesame seeds

---

6. Chicken Rice Stuffed Peppers (30 mins)

Impressive enough for guests, easy enough for Tuesday.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 4 bell peppers, tops removed
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Italian seasoning

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken, rice, half the sauce, and seasonings
2. Stuff peppers with mixture
3. Place in baking dish, pour remaining sauce around
4. Top with cheese
5. Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes

---

7. Chicken Fried Rice Omelette (10 mins)

Breakfast for dinner, or dinner for breakfast.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup shredded chicken
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 3 eggs
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• Green onions
• Sriracha (optional)

Instructions:

1. Quick stir-fry rice and chicken with soy sauce
2. Beat eggs, pour into a hot pan
3. When eggs are almost set, add rice mixture to one side
4. Fold omelette over, serve with sriracha

---

8. Chicken Rice Lettuce Wraps (5 mins)

Low-carb, high-flavor, zero cooking.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 1 cup cooked rice
• Large lettuce leaves
• Hoisin sauce
• Shredded carrots
• Chopped peanuts

Instructions:

1. Mix chicken and rice with a splash of hoisin
2. Spoon into lettuce cups
3. Top with carrots and peanuts
4. Wrap and eat!

---

The Economics

Your savings: $10-16 per meal

---

Why This Combo Works So Well

Chicken and rice are the ultimate blank canvas:

• Neutral flavors that absorb any seasoning
• Complementary textures (tender + fluffy)
• Complete protein + carbs for a balanced meal
• Cuisine-flexible from Asian to Mexican to American

---

Never Waste Chicken and Rice Again

NoFoodAlone automatically tracks what's in your fridge and suggests recipes before food expires. Instead of Googling "what to cook with chicken and rice," get personalized suggestions based on everything you have.

Features:

• Scan receipts to auto-add ingredients
• Get alerts before food expires
• AI recipe matching based on your inventory
• Track your savings over time

---

More Ingredient Combos

• What to Cook with Chicken and Cabbage
• What to Cook with Eggs and Vegetables
• What to Cook with Ground Beef and Potatoes