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If you have found your way to this post as you have found yourself with leftover roast chicken, then you have landed on the right page to make the perfect quick chicken curry.

On rare occasions in this house that we have roast chicken leftovers from a roast dinner, we almost always turn it into a curry using this mild leftover chicken curry recipe.

Sometimes we plan ahead and deliberately cook a larger joint of meat to get two meals out of it. Consequently, our easy leftover chicken curry goes down a storm. Using little more than basic ingredients that we have lying around in the back of a cupboard (and the leftover meat of course). We can fill our bellies in less than an hour.

This versatile recipe that we turn to a lot, has become one of those comfort food options for us as a family but it is also great for busy weeknights. For example, at Christmas, we always have leftover Turkey, simply switching out the leftover chicken for leftover turkey meat makes for a mean meaty meal.

Our recipe uses mild spices (not hot), however, if you like some heat in your curry just add a freshly sliced red chilli or two and leave the seeds in, alternatively, you could switch to hot curry powder if you would prefer a hot curry! Moreover, you could leave the meat out entirely and throw in more vegetables. For example, how about some potatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans, mushrooms or maybe even Brussels sprouts?

How to cook leftover chicken curry

Prep time – 15 Minutes

Cooking time – 25 Minutes

Ingredients

• 250g Left Over Chicken (or whatever you have)
• 1 Large Onion (diced)
• 1 Red Peppers(chunks)
• 2 Garlic cloves
• 3 tbs Curry Powder (we used Medium curry powder)
• 1 tbs Ground Cumin
• 1 tbs Ground Coriander
• 1 tbs Tomato Puree
• 1 tin of Chopped Tomatoes
• 1 Cinnamon Stick
• 200ml Chicken Stock (Vegetable stock will work just as well)
• Salt and Pepper
• Olive Oil

Instructions

• Add a healthy glug of olive oil to a pan and turn on medium heat.
• Throw in the diced onion and sweat down for roughly a minute.
• Pop in the chunks of red bell pepper and sweat for a further minute.
• Sprinkle in the leftover chicken.
• Stir in the garlic, curry powder. cumin, coriander and season with salt and pepper.
• Once everything is coated with the spices, add the chicken stock, tin of chopped tomatoes and tomato puree.
• Mix well, pop the cinnamon stick on the top and leave to simmer for 20 minutes.
• Discard the cinnamon stick, cook up some rice, serve and enjoy!

Our favourite way to serve our delicious curry is with plain rice however, switch this up for brown rice, cauliflower rice, side salad or even naan bread if you fancy something a little different.

With this in mind, we would love you to try our quick leftover chicken curry a try and let us know how you got on. Above all, we would love to hear what other meats, vegetables and spices you use in your curries. Obviously, this recipe for leftover roast chicken is just one of the many ways to use up leftovers but don’t be put off using things such as fresh vegetables, sweet potatoes, leftover veg and other meats that you may have leftover.

Can you reheat leftover chicken curry?

No, you can not, as the meat itself has been reheated to make the curry, I would not recommend reheating this again. Illnesses from incorrect cooking of chicken are really not pleasant and you do not want to make yourself poorly from it.

To be safe, just add in whatever chicken you know will be eaten, you can save the additional chicken for another curry later or maybe for salads or sandwiches.

If your question is can you reheat chicken curry, then the answer is yes. As long as it is not made using leftover chicken, this is fine to reheat once, just make sure it is cooked through thoroughly.

How long can you store leftover cooked chicken?

Leftover roast chicken is best eaten the next day, however, it is fine to store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 48 hours. Storage and cooking of this is key, so please take care when you have this. Storing leftovers correctly is great for extending the quality of the product.

Other ways to use up leftover cooked chicken

When it comes to leftover chicken, there are endless possibilities for delicious meals and snacks. Here are a few of the best ways to use leftover chicken:

1. Chicken Salad: Shred or chop the leftover chicken and toss it with some mayo, diced celery, diced onions, and seasonings like salt, pepper, and herbs. Serve it on a bed of lettuce, between slices of bread, or in a wrap for a refreshing and filling chicken salad.
2. Chicken Quesadillas: Add shredded leftover chicken to a tortilla along with some shredded cheese, chopped vegetables (like bell peppers and onions), and your favourite seasonings. Cook the quesadilla in a pan until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
3. Chicken Fried Rice: Sauté some diced onions, bell peppers, carrots, and peas in a pan. Add cold, cooked rice and stir-fry until heated through. Add the leftover chicken, soy sauce, and any other desired seasonings. Stir-fry everything together until well combined.
4. Chicken Noodle Soup: Make a quick and comforting chicken noodle soup by simmering the leftover chicken in chicken broth along with some diced carrots, celery, onions, and cooked noodles. Season it with herbs and spices of your choice, and enjoy a warming bowl of homemade soup.
5. Chicken Tacos: Warm up the leftover chicken and use it as a filling for soft or hard taco shells. Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, grated cheese, sour cream, and salsa for a delicious Mexican-inspired meal.
6. Chicken Stir-Fry: Sauté some vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and snow peas in a wok or large pan. Add in the leftover chicken and stir-fry until heated through. Season with soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and any other desired seasonings. Serve over rice or noodles.
7. Chicken and Vegetable Skewers: Cube the leftover chicken and thread it onto skewers alternating with your favourite vegetables like bell peppers, onions, and cherry tomatoes. Grill or broil the skewers until the chicken is heated through and the vegetables are slightly charred. Serve with a side of rice or a fresh salad.

These are just a few examples of the many ways you can use leftover chicken to create new and delicious meals. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different cuisines and flavours.

If you liked this recipe, don’t forget to check out our other savoury recipes. Likewise, you can find easy-to-follow recipes on our Pinterest account found here.