Leftover BBQ Chicken Casserole
Got leftover BBQ chicken in your fridge? Don’t let it go to waste – turn it into this cheesy, comforting BBQ Chicken Casserole that comes together quickly and hits the spot every time.
Whether the chicken is from a recent cookout, a rotisserie, or meal prep earlier in the week, this easy recipe is your go-to for transforming leftovers into a family-friendly dinner with big flavor and minimal effort.
Why I make this Easy BBQ Chicken Pasta on Repeat
I’m a little obsessed with this one. It’s the kind of easy, cheesy, smoky dinner that disappears fast—and it’s perfect for using up leftover grilled BBQ chicken. Honestly, when I had my meal prep business, this would’ve been a total client favorite. It comes together in no time, and every bite is pure comfort.
Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, so it’s easy to throw together without a special trip to the store. My family absolutely loves it, and we rarely have any leftovers of this casserole.
Free 3 Ways To Cook Chicken PDF
Ingredient Notes (Leftovers plus Pantry Staples)
- Cooked Chicken (2 cups) – Leftover baked, grilled, instant pot, or rotisserie chicken works perfectly; just shred or dice before adding.
- BBQ Sauce – Use your favorite bottled brand or this homemade honey bourbon BBQ sauce is a great choice.
- Cooked Pasta – Spiral pasta like rotini holds the sauce well. You’ll need about 4 cups cooked (3 cups dry).
- Diced Tomatoes – No need to drain! Petite diced works well if you’re cooking for picky eaters.
- Corn – Frozen, canned (drained), or leftover corn all work here.
- Sour Cream – Greek yogurt makes a great substitute.
- Bacon – A little crispy bacon gives extra flavor. Leftovers or store-bought work great.
- Colby Jack Cheese – Melts beautifully! Feel free to swap in cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a mix of both.
- Black beans, green chiles, and red onion would all be great additions to the casserole.
Step-By-Step Directions
Step 1: Preheat.
Step 2: Mix.
Step 2: Layer and bake.
Step 3: Garnish with green onions, chopped cilantro and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.
Storage
Refrigerate – Cool casserole within 2 hours, then seal in a shallow, airtight container; keeps 3–4 days.
Freeze – Portion into freezer-safe containers once completely cool; freeze up to 3 months for best quality.
Reheat – Microwave covered, stirring every 30 sec, or bake covered at 350 °F until the center hits 165 °F.
More Ways to Use Leftover BBQ Chicken
- BBQ Chicken Mac & Cheese – Big-batch comfort food that easily feeds a crowd.
- Chicken Pizza – 15-minute naan-crust shortcut for a speedy weeknight slice.
- Chicken Salad – Toss smoky chicken into classic mayo salad for an easy lunch twist.
FAQ
Absolutely. Cover unbaked casserole and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add 5–10 minutes bake time straight from the fridge.
Yes. Dice 1 lb raw chicken, sauté until 165 °F, then proceed with the recipe. Flavor won’t be as smoky, so add 1 tsp extra BBQ seasoning.
Short, sauce catching shapes like penne, rotini, or cavatappi hold the sauce without getting mushy.
Did you make the recipe? Let us know what you thought by leaving a comment below and sharing it on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook! Thanks so much!
Recipe
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BBQ Chicken Pasta
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cup Leftover BBQ Chicken
- ¾ cup BBQ Sauce
- 4 cup Cooked Spiral Pasta Three cups raw pasta
- 1 15oz can Diced Tomatoes Do not drain
- 1 cup Corn
- 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- ½ cup Sour Cream
- ½ cup Bacon
- 2 cup Cheddar Cheese
- Cilantro and Green Onions Garish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cook pasta until al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain and place in a large bowl.4 cup Cooked Spiral Pasta
- Add chopped chicken, BBQ sauce, undrained diced tomatoes, corn, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sour cream. Stir until well combined.2 cup Leftover BBQ Chicken, ¾ cup BBQ Sauce, 1 15oz can Diced Tomatoes, 1 cup Corn, 1 teaspoon Onion Powder, 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Pepper, ½ cup Sour Cream
- Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking dish. Top with cheese and bacon. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.½ cup Bacon, 2 cup Cheddar Cheese
- Uncover, drizzle with a little extra BBQ sauce, and bake 5 more minutes.
- Garnish with green onions and cilantro. Serve warm.Cilantro and Green Onions
Notes
- Pound the raw chicken so that each breast is approximately the same thickness.
- Season chicken with BBQ Spice Rub.
- Bake at 400 degrees for 18 minutes. Be sure the internal temperature of the chicken is at 165 degrees before removing from the oven.
- Next, brush your favorite bbq sauce over each chicken breast.
This looks delicious! I may have missed it, but what are the measurements for the ingredients?
Hi Lisa, You can find all of the measurements in the recipe card. I hope you make and enjoy the casserole.
I have been looking for a good recipe for leftover chicken. I just popped the casserole in the oven and if it tastes as good as it smells it’ll be a winner! thanks
Thank you Alison!
Really great dish !!
I love this recipe! Such an easy and delicious way to use up leftover chicken. My family absolutely loved this casserole and I’ll definitely be making this again! Thanks for sharing this fantastic recipe!
Thank you Jessica!