Turkey & Chicken Leftovers |20 Fast, Cheap & Tasty Dinners Meal Ideas | For 5+ People

 

 Turkey or Chicken Fried Rice

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked white rice (preferably cold)
• 1 cup leftover chicken or turkey, diced
• 1 cup frozen mixed vegetables (peas, carrots, corn)
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil (or vegetable oil)
• 2 green onions, sliced (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add diced meat and sauté for 2 minutes.
3. Push meat to one side, pour in beaten eggs, and scramble until cooked.
4. Add rice and frozen vegetables, stirring well to combine.
5. Drizzle soy sauce over the mixture and stir-fry for 3-5 minutes until everything is heated through.
6. Top with green onions before serving (optional).

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 BBQ Chicken/Turkey Sliders

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
• 8 slider buns
• 1 cup coleslaw (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, combine shredded meat and BBQ sauce. Cook until warmed through.
2. Toast slider buns in a separate pan or oven, if desired.
3. Assemble sliders: layer BBQ meat and a spoonful of coleslaw on each bun.
4. Serve immediately with chips or a side salad.

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 Chicken/Turkey Tacos

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1/2 cup water
• 8 small tortillas (corn or flour)
• Toppings: shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, salsa, sour cream

Instructions:

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Add shredded meat, taco seasoning, and water. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring until the meat is coated and heated through.
2. Warm tortillas in a dry skillet or microwave.
3. Fill each tortilla with seasoned meat and desired toppings.
4. Serve with rice or beans on the side.

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 Leftover Turkey Chili

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or diced
• 1 can (15 oz) kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 packet chili seasoning (or 2 tsp chili powder, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp paprika)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup chicken broth or water

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened.
2. Add turkey, beans, diced tomatoes, chili seasoning, and chicken broth. Stir well.
3. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Serve hot with cornbread or crackers.

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Chicken/Turkey Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 1/2 cup salsa
• 1 tbsp butter or oil

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt butter or oil.
2. Place a tortilla in the skillet. Sprinkle half with shredded meat, cheese, and a spoonful of salsa.
3. Fold the tortilla in half and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cheese is melted.
4. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Slice into wedges and serve with sour cream or guacamole.

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 Turkey Pot Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover turkey, shredded or diced
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 refrigerated pie crust (or homemade)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a bowl, mix turkey, vegetables, soup, milk, and pepper.
3. Pour mixture into a pie dish. Place pie crust on top, sealing the edges.
4. Cut a few slits in the crust for ventilation. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
5. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

 Buffalo Chicken/Turkey Wraps

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
• 4 tortillas
• 1/2 cup shredded lettuce
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• Ranch or blue cheese dressing (optional)

Instructions:

1. Toss shredded meat with buffalo sauce.
2. Place lettuce, carrots, and meat in the center of each tortilla.
3. Drizzle with dressing if desired, then roll tightly.
4. Serve immediately with celery sticks.

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 Chicken/Turkey Stir-Fry

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, diced
• 1 bag frozen stir-fry vegetables
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 tsp grated ginger (optional)

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a large skillet or wok over medium-high heat.
2. Add garlic, ginger (if using), and frozen vegetables. Sauté for 3-4 minutes.
3. Stir in meat and soy sauce. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Serve over rice or noodles.

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Chicken/Turkey Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed vegetables
• 1 cup chicken gravy
• 3 cups mashed potatoes (leftover or freshly made)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix meat, vegetables, and gravy in a baking dish. Spread mashed potatoes on top.
3. Sprinkle with cheese if desired.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

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Turkey or Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups leftover chicken or turkey, shredded
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery
• 1/2 cup noodles or rice
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a pot, bring chicken broth to a boil. Add carrots and celery.
2. Simmer for 10 minutes, then add noodles or rice.
3. Cook until tender, then stir in meat. Season to taste.
4. Serve hot with crusty bread.

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 Chicken/Turkey Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 store-bought pizza crust
• 1/2 cup marinara or BBQ sauce
• 2 cups shredded chicken or turkey
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Optional toppings: onions, bell peppers, mushrooms

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Spread sauce over the pizza crust. Top with meat, cheese, and other toppings.
3. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the crust is crispy and cheese is melted.

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Turkey or Chicken Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded chicken or turkey
• 8 tortillas
• 1 can (10 oz) enchilada sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup sour cream (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Roll meat in tortillas and place in a baking dish.
3. Pour enchilada sauce over the top and sprinkle with cheese.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Serve with sour cream.

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Chicken/Turkey Cobb Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 cups mixed greens
• 1 cup diced chicken or turkey
• 2 hard-boiled eggs, sliced
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese or feta
• Dressing of choice

Instructions:

1. Arrange all ingredients over the greens.
2. Drizzle with dressing and serve immediately.

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Turkey/Chicken Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
• 2 cups shredded meat
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix meat, rice, and marinara. Stuff into bell pepper halves.
3. Top with cheese and bake for 25-30 minutes.

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Turkey or Chicken Flatbreads

Ingredients:

• 2 naan or flatbreads
• 1/2 cup hummus or pesto
• 1 cup shredded chicken or turkey
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• Optional: crumbled feta

Instructions:

1. Spread hummus or pesto on flatbreads.
2. Top with meat, tomatoes, and feta.
3. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 8-10 minutes.

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Chicken/Turkey Lettuce Wraps

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded meat
• 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
• 1 head lettuce (butter or iceberg)
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots

Instructions:

1. Toss meat with hoisin sauce.
2. Spoon into lettuce leaves and top with carrots.
3. Serve immediately.

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Creamy Turkey/Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded meat
• 8 oz pasta (penne or rotini)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 cup spinach (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Heat cream in a pan, add Parmesan and spinach, and stir until smooth.
3. Add pasta and meat, tossing to coat. Serve warm.

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Chicken/Turkey and Rice Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded chicken or turkey
• 1 can (10.5 oz) cream of mushroom soup
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix rice, meat, and soup in a baking dish. Top with cheese.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.

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Chicken/Turkey Stroganoff

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded meat
• 8 oz egg noodles
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp flour

Instructions:

1. Cook noodles according to package instructions.
2. Heat broth and whisk in flour. Stir in sour cream and meat.
3. Toss with noodles and serve.

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Turkey or Chicken Nachos

Ingredients:

• 1 bag tortilla chips
• 2 cups shredded chicken or turkey
• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1/2 cup salsa
• Optional: sour cream, guacamole, jalapeños

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Spread chips on a baking sheet. Top with meat, cheese, and salsa.
3. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Add optional toppings and serve.

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Let me know which ones you try! 😊