Jake Harper
Chicken is a versatile meat that can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches, stir-fries to soups, and everything in between. It's no surprise that many people opt to cook a larger chicken than necessary to take advantage of the many ways to use the leftovers. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal or something more substantial, there are endless possibilities for what to do with leftover chicken.
Some popular options include chicken salad, chicken fried rice, chicken sandwiches, chicken tacos, chicken pot pie, chicken enchiladas, and chicken soup, to name just a few. With a bit of creativity and some simple ingredients, you can transform leftover chicken into a delicious and satisfying meal.
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What You'll Learn
Make bone broth with the bones
Making bone broth with leftover chicken bones is a great way to create a delicious and nutritious base for soups and sauces. Bone broth is incredibly rich in nutrients, especially minerals and amino acids like arginine, glycine, and proline. Glycine, for instance, supports the body's detoxification process and promotes healthy digestion.
To make bone broth, you'll need a slow cooker or a stockpot on the stove. You can use a variety of vegetables and aromatics, such as onions, garlic, carrots, celery, and herbs like rosemary and sage. Avoid using strong herbs like cilantro, as they can overpower the broth's flavor. Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Place the chicken bones in the slow cooker or stockpot. You can also add vegetables and aromatics at this stage.
- Cover the bones and vegetables with water, ensuring everything is submerged. You can also add a splash of vinegar to the water, as it helps release calcium from the bones, making the broth more nutritious.
- Bring the water to a simmer. Do not let it boil, as this will make the broth cloudy.
- Cook the broth for at least an hour, but preferably for 6-8 hours. The longer cooking time will result in a more flavorful and nutritious broth.
- Once cooked, remove the broth from the heat and let it cool. You can leave it uncovered in the fridge overnight. A layer of fat will form on the surface, which you can skim off with a spoon.
- Strain the broth through a fine-mesh strainer or a colander lined with cheesecloth to remove any solids.
- Transfer the strained broth to a container and store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can also freeze it in ice cube trays and then transfer the frozen cubes to a resealable freezer bag, where they will keep for about six months.
Your homemade bone broth can now be used as a base for soups, sauces, and various other recipes!
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Cook the liver for your dog
Chicken liver is a safe, nutrient-dense, and delicious treat for your dog. It is packed with protein, vitamin A, selenium, and iron, which support immune health and can help treat anemia.
First, rinse the chicken livers under cool running water and blot them dry with paper towels. Then, add the cleaned chicken livers and about an inch of water to a medium-sized pot and place it on the stove over high heat. Once the water comes to a boil, reduce the heat to a light boil and let the livers simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until they are no longer pink in the middle.
After boiling, turn off the heat and drain the water from the livers using a colander. Be sure to use oven mitts to protect your hands from the hot pot. Let the livers cool to room temperature on a plate before cutting or dicing them into suitable pieces for your dog. You can serve them as treats or mix them into your dog's food. If you want to mix them into your dog's food, consider dicing them into smaller pieces or using a food processor to create a finer texture.
You can store cooked chicken liver in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze it for later use. Remember, moderation is key when feeding liver to your dog, as too much can cause diarrhea. Also, if your dog has a sensitive stomach or is prone to pancreatitis, it may be better to choose beef liver over chicken liver due to its lower fat content.
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Use the feet for broth
Chicken feet are commonly used to make broth or stock, which is praised for its rich flavour and gelatinous texture. The collagen-rich feet are said to create a luxurious and nutritious broth.
To prepare the chicken feet for broth, you must first cut off all the nails and claws from the feet and scrub them clean. You can then blanch them with ginger, green onion, Chinese cooking wine, and water to remove any remaining scum.
After preparing the chicken feet, you can make the broth by boiling the feet and then draining the water. This step helps to remove any remaining impurities and proteins from the feet. You can then refill the pot with water and add vegetables such as carrots, onions, celery, and spices like bay leaf, thyme, and peppercorns. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for several hours. You can then strain the broth and discard the feet, or you can use a pressure cooker to speed up the process.
The broth will turn gelatinous as it cools, and you can use it as a base for soups or to add richness to other dishes, such as rice.
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Make stock from the bones
Making stock from leftover chicken bones is a great way to reduce waste and create a delicious and nutritious base for future meals. Here's a guide on how to make the most of those bones:
Preparing the Bones
First, ensure you have the bones from a leftover chicken carcass. You can stockpile these in the freezer if you're not ready to make stock immediately. When you're ready, place the bones in a crockpot or stockpot. You can also add a splash of vinegar to the water, which will help release calcium from the bones, making your stock even more nutritious. Apple cider vinegar is a good option, but most types of vinegar will work, except for white vinegar. Alternatively, you can use lemon juice.
Adding Vegetables and Aromatics
Along with the bones, you can add a few aromatic vegetables and herbs. Carrots, onions, celery, and garlic are all great options. You can also add the peels and skins of these vegetables, enhancing the flavour and reducing waste even further. Just be sure to avoid strong herbs like rosemary, sage, and cilantro, which can overpower the other ingredients.
Cooking the Stock
Cover the bones, vegetables, and aromatics with cool water. Bring the mixture to a simmer, being careful not to let it boil, as this will make the stock cloudy. Cook on low heat for at least an hour, but you can leave it for as long as 24 hours for a richer flavour. The longer cooking time also helps release more nutrients from the bones.
Straining and Storing the Stock
Once your stock is done cooking, remove it from the heat and let it cool. You can then strain the broth through a mesh sieve or a colander lined with cheesecloth into another pot or bowl. At this point, you can also skim off any excess fat that has risen to the top. The stock can then be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week or frozen for later use.
Using Your Stock
Your homemade chicken stock is now ready to use as a base for soups, sauces, rice dishes, or anything else you can dream up! It's a versatile and flavourful addition to many meals and is packed with nutrients like amino acids, collagen, and gelatin, which support skin, digestive health, and the body's detoxification process.
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Use the leftover meat for soup
Using leftover chicken meat for soup is a great way to create a tasty, nutritious meal without wasting food. Chicken soup is a comforting classic, and while it takes a while, it is not a difficult dish to make.
To begin, you will need to prepare a broth or stock. You can use the leftover chicken bones to create a flavoursome chicken broth, or use a stock cube as a base. If you are using bones, you can also add the neck, heart, gizzard, and feet to create an even richer broth. You can also add vegetables to your broth, such as carrots, celery, onions, and garlic.
Once your broth is ready, you can add your leftover chicken meat. You can also add vegetables, such as fennel, courgettes, mushrooms, and spinach. If you want to bulk up your soup, you can add noodles, rice, or leftover pasta. Season your soup with salt and pepper, and add herbs and spices to taste.
If you have a lot of leftover chicken, you can also freeze it in portions to use for soup at a later date.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to repurpose leftover chicken. You can shred the chicken and use it in burritos, burrito bowls, nachos, sandwiches, tacos, casseroles, soups, stews, and one-pot meals.
Cooked chicken can be stored in a sealed container and refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
Here are some simple chicken recipes:
- Baked chicken breast
- Chicken and dumplings
- Grilled chicken thighs with chimichurri sauce
- Crispy chicken thighs with lemon and herbs, served with red potatoes and bell peppers
- Chicken curry
To make juicy roasted chicken, brine the chicken in lukewarm saltwater for at least 15 minutes. Then, season the chicken generously with onion powder, salt, and pepper, and stuff the cavity with celery and butter. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (177°C) for about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the juices run clear and the thickest part of the thigh reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest for about 30 minutes before serving.
