Leftover BBQ Chicken Casserole combines leftover BBQ chicken with pasta, corn, diced tomatoes, sour cream, and cheese. It's finished with a drizzle of BBQ Sauce, green onions, and a sprinkle of cilantro.
Turn leftover BBQ Chicken into a mouth-watering casserole the whole family will love.
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WHY YOU WILL LOVE THIS EASY MEAL
- The BBQ Chicken and the tangy barbecue sauce add a smokey flavor that pairs perfectly with the other ingredients.
- The recipe is super quick and easy to make, and most of the ingredients are pantry staples saving you a trip to the grocery store.
- The pasta and corn provide a pleasant texture, and the cheese on top gives it a deliciously gooey finish!
- It's a satisfying meal that will make your taste buds happy and satisfy the whole family.
- It's a great way to use up leftover chicken.
INGREDIENTS AND SUBSTITUTIONS
- Leftover BBQ Chicken - Chop your leftover chicken breast, bbq chicken thighs, or store-bought rotisserie chicken into small bite-size pieces. Feel free to use shredded chicken if that's what you have.
- BBQ Sauce - Use your favorite barbecue sauce or make this homemade recipe.
- Cooked Spiral Pasta - Three cups of raw pasta will equal four cups cooked.
- Diced Tomatoes - Do not drain the tomatoes. Use petite diced tomatoes if you have any picky eaters.
- Corn - Frozen, canned or leftover corn on the cob are all great options.
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Powder
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Sour Cream - Greek yogurt can be substituted for sour cream.
- Bacon - See how to cook crispy bacon in the oven here in this Loaded Potato Bites recipe post.
- Colby Jack Cheese - Colby and Monterey Jack cheese offer a delicious melty cheese. You could also use half cheddar cheese and have Monterey Jack cheese.
- Cilantro and Green Onions Garish - If you dislike cilantro, omit it from the recipe or substitute fresh parsley.
Feel free to add extra ingredients like black beans, green chiles, and red onion.
HOW TO MAKE LEFTOVER BBQ CHICKEN CASSEROLE
STEP 1: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Cook pasta al dente. Drain and add the pasta to a large mixing bowl.
STEP 2: Add, chopped tender chicken, BBQ Sauce, diced tomatoes (do not drain), corn, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and sour cream to the pasta bowl. Mix well until all ingredients are well combined.
STEP 3: Transfer the chicken mixture to a large casserole dish, top with cheese and bacon, cover and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the aluminum foil, drizzle with BBQ sauce and return to the oven for 5 minutes.
STEP 4: Garnish with green onions, chopped cilantro and a drizzle of BBQ sauce. Serve immediately.
TIPS FOR MAKING BARBECUE CHICKEN CASSEROLE
Spice it up: Do you like your food spicy? Add red pepper flakes to add heat to the dish.
Pasta: Do not overcook the pasta on the stovetop. Al dente is vital to keep the pasta from becoming mushy.
Don't have any leftover chicken? Here's the best way to bake BBQ chicken using boneless chicken breasts:
- 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.
Baking dish: Use a 9 x 13 casserole dish for this recipe.
Cheese: It's always best to grate cheese over using shredded cheese that comes in a bag. Not only does it melt better, but you'll also save money, and it tastes better because it doesn't have any preservatives or chemicals.
Storage
Store leftovers properly: If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezer: Store leftovers in an airtight container after they have cooled entirely for up to 3 months.
Reheat: Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave. Heat in 30-second increments until heated through.
Other leftover BBQ chicken recipes
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas - Spread chicken, a mixture of mozzarella and cheddar cheese, with a drizzle of BBQ sauce for a delicious quesadilla. Serve ranch dressing, green onions, and cilantro.
BBQ Chicken Pizza - This is one of my favorite ways to use leftover chicken or pulled pork.
Chicken Salad - Change up classic chicken salad by adding smokey bbq chicken.
FAQ about leftover bbq chicken pasta
Yes, this recipe can easily be made ahead. Once the casserole is all put together, cover and refrigerate until ready to cook. Do not garnish until after it has cooked. The casserole will take an additional 10 - 15 minutes to warm through.
Serve leftover bbq chicken casserole with tortilla chips or corn chips and a simple green salad.
Yes, you can substitute rice, but the measurement may be slightly different.
To cook pasta al dente, cook spiral pasta for approximately 8 minutes.
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