You can make almost anything with leftover chicken and turkey. Casseroles, soups and salads are my favorite uses for leftovers. The recipes below are my favorites.
TURKEY NOODLE SOUP
3 cups of left over turkey (cubed) 6 cups of turkey stock see recipe below) 2 cups of water 2 - 12 ounce bags of noodles (your choice, I use extra wide egg noodles) 3 celery stalks (chopped) 1 cup of carrots (sliced) 1 medium size onion (diced) 1 cup of whole kernel corn 1 cup of cut green beans 1 cup of peas
TURKEY STOCK
8 cups of water 2 Tablespoons of turkey base or 4 bullion cubes
Bring to a rapid boil and simmer stirring often for 10 minutes be sure the base or cubes have completely dissolved, you will be left with 6 cups of turkey stock.
Preparation
In a large sauce pan cook your noodles and set them aside. In a large sauce or stock pan place all your ingredients EXCEPT the noodles and cook on low heat for 30 minutes, add the noodles and simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Serves 6 with leftovers.
CHICKEN or TURKEY and RICE CASSEROLE
4 cups of left over chicken or turkey (bite size) 4 cups of uncooked rice (white, brown or flavored) 1- 8 ounce can of cheese soup (Campbell's) 1/2 cup of half and half 2 celery stalks (diced) 1 small onion (diced) 2 garlic cloves (minced) 1 cup of unseasoned bread crumbs 1/4 cup of butter 1 cup of shredded mozzarella
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a 9X13 baking dish pour in your rice and cover the bottom of the dish, spread the butter out by dropping spoon size amounts over the rice. Set your chicken or turkey on top of the rice, sprinkle the celery, onion and garlic over the top, pour the can of cheese soup and half and half over the top then spread the bread crumbs over the entire mixture and finally the cheese. Bake for 1 hour. Serves 6
SWEET and SOUR CHICKEN OR TURKEY and RICE CASSEROLE
4 cups left over chicken or turkey (bite size) 4 cups of rice (cooked) 1/2 cup of orange juice 1 - 6 ounce can of pineapples slices (save juice) 2 tablespoon of minced garlic 1 teaspoon hot sauce 3 tablespoons of pineapple juice 1 ounce cherry juice 1 ounce lemon juice Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix all your ingredients, minus your chicken in a blender on medium for 1 minute. Pour contents of blender in a large mixing bowl. Add your chicken into the bowl and coat the chicken breasts well.
In a lightly greased 9X13 baking dish, place your well coated chicken in the dish and pour the sauce over the top and top off with the pineapple slices. Serve over the rice. Serves 6
CHICKEN OR TURKEY BURRITOS
1 cup of leftover chicken or turkey 1 medium onion (diced) 1- 12 ounce can of refried beans 2 cups of shredded lettuce 1 cup of fresh tomatoes (diced) 2 cups of shredded cheese (any type) 1 cup of sour cream 1 jar of taco sauce or salsa 1 - 8 count package of soft flat tortilla shells
Preheat the oven 325 degrees and warm your shells for 10 minutes. Lay out all your ingredients, place the meat or meat substitute in the center in an even layer, then add your beans and other ingredients in a layer format. Wrap your burrito and eat!
CHICKEN or TURKEY SALAD
2 cups of left over chicken or turkey 3 cups of lettuce (Iceberg and Romaine) 1/3 cup sliced cucumbers 8 tomato slices 1/3 cup of black olives 6 red onion slices 6 green pepper slices (circular) 1/4 cup of restaurant style croutons Three Tablespoons of bacon bits 1/3 cup shredded sharp cheese
Combine all ingredients in a large salad bowl and toss well serve with your favorite salad dressing.