4 Leftover Chicken Pasta Recipes for Easy Dinners

Leftover chicken is one of the easiest shortcuts for a fast pasta dinner because the meat is already cooked. These PantrySprint recipes use rotisserie chicken or other cooked chicken in four different pasta styles, from creamy sauces to pesto.

4 easy leftover chicken pasta recipes

1. Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta

A creamy 25-minute pasta with garlic, broth, cream, Parmesan, and optional spinach. It is the most direct option when you have shredded rotisserie chicken ready to use.

Get the leftover rotisserie chicken pasta recipe →

2. Cottage Cheese Chicken Pasta

Blended cottage cheese, milk, Parmesan, garlic, and cooked chicken make a smooth protein-forward sauce without needing heavy cream.

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3. 5-Ingredient Chicken Pasta

Pasta, cooked chicken, pesto, cream cheese, and spinach make a short-list dinner when you want very little prep and cleanup.

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4. 5-Ingredient Pesto Chicken Pasta

This version uses penne, cooked chicken, prepared pesto, cherry tomatoes, and Parmesan for a brighter, less creamy sauce.

Get the pesto chicken pasta recipe →

Can I use leftover roast chicken instead of rotisserie chicken?

Yes. Safely stored cooked roast chicken works in the same recipes. Remove any bones or skin you do not want, shred or chop the meat, and add it near the end so it only needs to heat through.

Which leftover chicken pasta should you make?

• Want a classic creamy sauce? Choose leftover rotisserie chicken pasta.
• Want cottage cheese in the sauce? Choose cottage cheese chicken pasta.
• Want the shortest ingredient list? Choose 5-ingredient chicken pasta.
• Want pesto and tomatoes? Choose 5-ingredient pesto chicken pasta.

How to keep cooked chicken from drying out in pasta

• Add the chicken after the sauce is nearly finished.
• Warm it gently instead of simmering it for a long time.
• Use reserved pasta water to loosen thick sauces.
• Cut or shred the chicken into bite-size pieces so it heats evenly.

How long can leftover cooked chicken stay refrigerated?

FoodSafety.gov recommends using cooked leftovers within 3 to 4 days when refrigerated properly. If you will not use the chicken within that window, freeze it instead. See the current cold-storage guidance.

More leftover chicken ideas

For non-pasta options, see our 7 leftover rotisserie chicken recipes roundup.