Leftover Chicken Pasta

If you are looking for ways to use leftover chicken, try this easy recipe. Ready in 15 minutes, this creamy Leftover Chicken Pasta is perfect as a quick weeknight dinner. It’s a healthy and high protein complete meal that will feed the entire family.

I usually cook chicken breast ahead for the week. We make it for dinner and then store it in airtight containers – trust me, it comes very handy for when you’re hungry and don’t have time to cook. But sometimes, we get tired of eating plain chicken and we’re left with a bunch of cooked meat. Welcome to this leftover chicken pasta recipe – a delicious way to jazz up your leftovers!

Why you will love this recipe

• Quick and easy. This recipe is ready in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy work days or last-minute weeknight dinners.
• Delicious and satisfying. Rich, creamy and flavorful, this pasta dish will win the hearts of the whole family – kids and picky eaters included.
• Healthy. Made with whole-grain pasta, lean chicken, and light cream cheese, it’s a balanced meal packed with protein and fiber.
• Budget-friendly. Combining pasta with leftover chicken is a great way to reduce food wastes and save money.
• Customizable. Add your favorite vegetables, switch up the pasta, or tweak the sauce to match your cravings.

Ingredients

This easy chicken pasta recipe requires just a handful of pantry staples and can easily be adapted to your preferences. In the next section you’ll find the ingredient list along with details and substitutes, precise quantities are in the recipe card at the bottom.

• Leftover chicken. This recipe works with cooked plain chicken, roasted chicken and rotisserie chicken. If you don’t have it on handy, simply cook raw chicken in a separate skillet before proceeding.
• Pasta. I recommend short pasta such as penne, ziti, rigatoni or fusilli. Spaghetti, fettuccine and linguine are also great with chicken. Use whole-grain or gluten-free noodles, if necessary.
• Onion. Red, white or yellow onion are perfect to add a delicious savory flavor.
• Sun-dried tomatoes. Sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil are recommended, they are more tender and flavorful. Reserve the oil for the pasta, it will level up the dish.
• Olive oil. For more flavor I suggest using the olive oil from the sun-dried tomatoes. Regular extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil are also perfect.
• Cream cheese. I used low fat cream cheese, but regular cream cheese is also great. You can swap it for whipped cottage cheese or whole milk Greek yogurt for fewer calories and more protein. Plant based alternatives will also work.
• Milk. For a healthier sauce this recipe uses semi-skimmed milk, but also skimmed or whole milk work. Replace with unsweetened plant based milk such as soy or oat milk if necessary.
• Parmesan cheese. Grated Parmesan is the secret touch in the sauce; it adds a delicious savory flavor. Feel free to replace with shredded mozzarella or cheddar, or omit the cheese in case you don’t want it.
• Seasonings. I flavored my dish with garlic powder, salt and black pepper. You can also include other seasonings such as dried herbs, Italian seasoning, or chili powder and cayenne pepper for extra spiciness.

Creamy pasta sauce

This easy leftover chicken pasta comes with a rich and creamy white sauce made with reduced fat cream cheese and semi-skimmed milk. The sauce creates a rich base that’s lower in fat and calories but as satisfying and delicious as the original. For extra flavor I recommend adding Parmesan cheese – it provides a savory, cheesy touch that’s hard to resist.

If you want to reduce calories and fats even further, replace cream cheese with whipped cottage cheese or try my Greek yogurt pasta sauce. Of course you can also make it dairy-free by swapping cow milk for unsweetened plant milk, and cream cheese for nondairy alternatives. Blended silken tofu is a great option.

How to make leftover chicken pasta

Step 1 – Cook pasta. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to the instructions in the package, just until al dente. Drain and set aside while making the creamy chicken sauce.

Step 2 – Heat chicken. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet, then add sliced onion and sauté over medium heat until softened. Roughly chop the sun-dried tomatoes and add them to the skillet; sauté with the onions for about 1 minute. You can now add the cooked chicken (shredded or diced) and heat it through for 2-3 minutes.

Step 3 – Add sauce. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese with milk, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Use a fork or a small whisk to stir the sauce until smooth, then add it to the pan with the chicken.

Step 4 – Finish the dish. Toss in the cooked pasta, the remaining olive oil, and stir in Parmesan cheese. Serve warm with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil on top.

Recipe variations

• Leftover roast chicken pasta. Use shredded roast chicken for a deeper, smoky flavor.
• Leftover rotisserie chicken pasta. Rotisserie chicken is a convenient way to add plenty of taste with minimal effort.
• Baked pasta. Transfer the prepared pasta to a baking dish, top with extra Parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil, and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 10-15 minutes until melty on top.
• Tomato sauce. Replace the cream cheese sauce with marinara or tomato sauce for a lighter meal.
• Pesto pasta. Replace the cream with 4 to 6 tablespoons of basil pesto sauce.
• BBQ chicken pasta. Toss in a drizzle of BBQ sauce for a sweet and smoky flavor.
• Add vegetable. Include mushrooms, broccoli florets, or chopped spinach for more texture and nutrients.
• Add chorizo or ham. Mix in diced ham or cooked chorizo for extra protein, texture and flavor.

Serving ideas

This creamy leftover chicken pasta recipe makes a complete meal, with protein, complex carbs and healthy fats. For a boost of greens, serve it with air fryer Brussels sprouts, air fryer green beans, or a fresh side such as my creamy broccoli salad, a spinach salad or cucumber tomato salad.

You can also pair it with some soft slices of cottage cheese bread or oat bread, maybe spread with salted butter and garlic powder. The bread is also perfect for dunking, to soak up all that creamy sauce left in the plate.

Storage directions

If you have leftovers of leftovers, allow them to too cool first. Once cool, you can place the pasta in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of milk to restore the creaminess.

For a longer storage, transfer to a freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 2 months. When you are ready to serve it, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then reheat in a skillet with little oil until warm.

Frequently asked questions

More healthy chicken pasta recipes

• Cottage cheese Alfredo
• Spinach chicken pasta
• Cajun chicken pasta
• Tuscan chicken pasta