5 Reasons to Roast a Chicken This Week

A roast chicken makes a delicious, traditional family meal, but there’s also an added bonus: leftovers! Cooked chicken is perfect for preparing quick weeknight meals, from salads and sandwiches to pastas and soups.

Next time you’re roasting a chicken, make sure to cook more than you need so you can enjoy the fruits of your efforts all week. Try one of the recipes below, which each incorporate cooked chicken into a unique, flavorful dish.

Roasted Chicken and Brie Frittata Use leftover chicken meat to make this delicious frittata, which also includes Brie cheese and chopped fresh herbs. Round out the meal with toasted walnut bread and a fruit salad; it’s perfect for a savory lunch or dinner.

Individual Chicken Potpies Potpies are a great way to use up leftovers in general, from meat to vegetables. This recipe calls for store-bought puff pastry, so it comes together surprisingly quickly.

Shanghai Noodles with Chicken High-quality, fresh Chinese egg noodles elevate this simple recipe, but you can also substitute dried pasta if necessary. It’s a full meal loaded with vegetables and savory flavors.

Chicken Panini with Pesto and Mozzarella This simple sandwich is easy to customize to your tastes, using cheese, fresh fruit and your favorite chutney. Prepare it in a panini press to achieve the delicious textures of comforting, melting cheese and crisp, toasty bread.

Chicken Stracciatella with Baby Spinach This light, brothy soup is easy to prepare with just five ingredients, plus salt and pepper. Peas or thinly sliced cooked vegetables, such as carrots or broccoli, can be used in place of the spinach.