Creative Keto Leftovers: Chicken Breast Recipes And Ideas

There are plenty of options for what to do with leftover chicken breast on a keto diet. Chicken is a versatile protein that can be shredded, filleted, or cooked in its whole form. It can be used in soups, salads, and casseroles. For example, you could make a keto chicken pot pie, a chicken and broccoli casserole, or chicken salad. Chicken is a lean protein that provides beneficial macronutrients to a ketogenic diet, so it's a great option to include in your meals.

Keto Chicken Patties

Ingredients:

• 2 cooked chicken breasts, shredded (you can also use leftover rotisserie chicken or canned chicken)
• 2 whole eggs
• Grated parmesan cheese
• Coconut or avocado oil, for frying
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder or dried minced onion
• Optional: spinach, celery, smoked paprika

Method:

• Combine the shredded chicken, eggs, parmesan cheese, and spices in a large mixing bowl. If you're using spinach and celery, add them in as well.
• Form the mixture into 10 equal-sized patties. Don't worry if they seem a little delicate, as the cheese will help hold them together once cooked.
• Heat coconut or avocado oil in a large pan over medium heat.
• Shallow fry the patties until golden brown on both sides, about 2-3 minutes per side.
• Serve hot with your choice of sides, such as a salad or low-carb vegetables.

Tips:

• If using canned chicken, pat it dry as much as possible before adding to the mixing bowl.
• For extra crispy patties, you can air fry or bake them instead of frying.
• These patties can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.

Keto Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• Mayonnaise (preferably made with avocado oil)
• Sour cream
• Dijon mustard
• Garlic
• Spices
• Shredded cheddar
• Scallions
• Bacon bits

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking dish with foil and grease the foil.
• Arrange the chicken breasts in the prepared pan. Spray them with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until cooked through, for about 20 minutes.
• Grease a 2-quart casserole dish. In a large bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne, and half of the shredded cheddar.
• Once the chicken is cooked, let it cool down until it's easier to handle. Cut it into cubes or shred it. Add the chicken cubes to the bowl with the mayonnaise-sour cream mixture and toss to coat.
• Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the casserole with the remaining shredded cheddar.
• Bake until the cheese is melted and the casserole is heated through, for about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle the casserole with sliced scallions and bacon bits. Serve immediately.

Tips:

• You can season the chicken breasts with additional spices, such as garlic powder and paprika.
• For a complete meal, you can add steamed broccoli florets or other vegetables to the casserole before the final stage of baking.
• If you are using cold leftover chicken, it is recommended to microwave it covered before adding it to the casserole, or bake the casserole for a longer time to ensure it is heated through.
• Leftovers can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days and gently reheated in the microwave.

Variations:

• Low-Carb Mexican Chicken Casserole: Layer spiced riced cauliflower, sautéed onions, green pepper, and tender chicken. Top with cheese sauce and bake until bubbly.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole: Combine cooked chicken, bacon, ranch dressing, and vegetables (such as broccoli or spinach). Transfer to a baking dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake.

Chicken Salads

Apricot Almond and Tarragon Chicken Salad

This salad has a tangy flavour and combines white meat chicken with sweet apricots, crunchy almonds and fresh tarragon. Be sure to source apricots without added sugar.

Healthy Probiotic Potato Salad

This salad is nutrient-dense, containing live probiotics, resistant starch, healthy fats and protein. It's a light meal that will leave you feeling satisfied.

Chopped Chicken Salad with Ranch

This salad is a meal in itself, combining crispy romaine, chicken, tomatoes, avocados and cucumbers with a homemade dairy-free ranch dressing.

Crispy Thai Chicken Salad

This salad features crispy chicken smothered in a Thai-inspired dressing, tossed with shallots, scallions, tomatoes and granny smith apple. It's a fresh and flavourful option that's sure to become a favourite.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This is another great option for using up leftover chicken. It's a cheesy chicken bake that's quick and easy to make with just 7 common ingredients and 5 minutes of prep time.

Keto Chicken Patties

These patties are tasty, crispy and gluten-free. They can be made with leftover chicken breasts from soup or a rotisserie chicken. Simply shred the chicken and add eggs, parmesan cheese and spices, then fry until crispy.

Chicken Soups

Keto Chicken Soup

This soup is packed with vegetables and fresh herbs and is ready in just 40 minutes. Start by sautéing onion, carrots, leek, and celery with thyme and parsley. Add garlic and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Pour in chicken broth, add bay leaves, and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 15 minutes. Add cooked, shredded chicken and blend half the soup to thicken it. Finally, add some cavolo nero or kale and simmer until the greens are soft.

One-Pot Keto Chicken Soup

This soup is made with juicy chicken, tender veggies, and a warming broth. It takes under 45 minutes to cook. Sauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic in olive oil for 5 minutes. Add salt, pepper, chicken broth, and bay leaves, and bring to a boil. Add chicken and cauliflower rice and cook on low for 30-35 minutes. Serve with parsley and lemon juice.

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Soup

This soup is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken. Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add celery, zucchini, and mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes. Add cauliflower florets, thyme, and oregano and cook for a further 1-2 minutes. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add salt and pepper, then add shredded rotisserie chicken and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add lemon juice and serve with fresh parsley.

Customisation Ideas

These soup recipes can be customised to suit your taste preferences. Here are some ideas:

• Use different vegetables, such as cauliflower, spinach, celery root, bell peppers, zucchini, butternut squash, kale, or broccoli.
• Add different herbs and spices, such as lemongrass, basil, rosemary, marjoram, oregano, chili powder, smoked paprika, cumin, ginger, star anise, or cloves.
• Make it creamy by adding heavy cream, sour cream, cream cheese, or butter.
• Use bone broth for added collagen and nutrients.
• Add keto-friendly noodles, such as shirataki noodles, kelp noodles, zucchini noodles, or shredded cabbage.
• Make it spicy by adding hot sauce or ginger.
• Top with shredded cheese.

Chicken Casseroles

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole

This simple one-dish meal is easy to assemble and can be ready in about 40 minutes, making it a great weeknight dinner option. You will need cooked chicken breasts, mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic, spices, and cheddar cheese. Simply mix the chicken cubes with the sauce, transfer to a baking dish, top with cheese, and bake. You can also add broccoli florets to make it a complete meal.

Low-Carb Mexican Chicken Casserole

This casserole is inspired by fajitas and is loaded with spicy cheese goodness. It has layers of spiced riced cauliflower, sauteed onions and green peppers, chicken, and a cheese sauce. The whole thing is then topped with more cheese and baked. This casserole is a great way to use up leftover chicken and is sure to be a hit with the whole family.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This hearty and satisfying casserole is a great way to get your family to eat their veggies. It is made with cooked chicken, bacon, ranch dressing, garlic, and shredded cheese. Simply mix all the ingredients, transfer to a baking dish, and bake until hot and bubbly. You can also add broccoli or spinach for a veggie-heavy option.

Baked Ranch Chicken Casserole with Crispy Onion

This nourishing and family-friendly dinner is packed with protein-rich chicken and flavorful ranch dressing. It is also low-carb and gluten-free. Unfortunately, I was not able to find a full recipe for this casserole, but it sounds like a delicious option!

Broccoli Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese and Mozzarella

This chicken casserole is loaded with delicious flavors and is sure to be a hit with your family. Unfortunately, I was not able to find a full recipe for this one, but it sounds like a great option to use up leftover chicken.

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