Transforming last night’s teriyaki chicken into a whole new meal is such a great way to keep things easy and tasty. This teriyaki chicken leftover recipe is so good, you might start making extra on purpose! For more ideas, try this leftover roasted chicken recipe or this easy leftover BBQ chicken recipe.
If you're feeling sad, just eat this. Trust me, it'll help. There's something inherently comforting about the sweet-savory balance of teriyaki sauce combined with tender chicken and fresh vegetables. This quick stir-fry approach transforms your leftovers into a restaurant-quality meal in under 15 minutes.
What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Quick and Easy - Ready in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast
- Versatile - Works with any leftover teriyaki chicken and can be customized with whatever vegetables you have available
- Budget-Friendly - Reduces food waste by transforming leftovers into an exciting new meal that doesn't taste like leftovers
Recipe Ingredients
Everything you need for this delicious transformation of leftovers comes together quickly with these simple ingredients:
- Leftover teriyaki chicken
- Cooked rice or noodles
- Mixed vegetables
- Leftover teriyaki sauce
- Olive oil
- Garnishes (sesame seeds and green onions)
Ingredient Notes
- Leftover Teriyaki Chicken - This recipe works with both homemade and store-bought teriyaki chicken. The chicken can be in any form - sliced, diced, or shredded.
- Mixed Vegetables - Feel free to use whatever vegetables you have on hand. Fresh vegetables work best, but frozen mixed vegetables can work in a pinch.
- Teriyaki Sauce - If you don't have leftover sauce, you can use store-bought teriyaki sauce or quickly make your own with soy sauce, brown sugar, and a touch of ginger.
How to Make Teriyaki Chicken Leftover Recipe
For the complete printable recipe with exact measurements, see the recipe card below. Here's a quick overview of how this delicious meal comes together:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat
- Sauté mixed vegetables until tender (about 5 minutes)
- Add leftover teriyaki chicken and cook for 2 minutes to warm through
- Mix in cooked rice or noodles and leftover teriyaki sauce
- Heat everything together for 2 more minutes
- Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions before serving
Pro Tips
It's so simple, even a beginner can nail it. For best results, chop all your vegetables to similar sizes so they cook evenly. If your leftover chicken is particularly dry, add an extra tablespoon of teriyaki sauce or a splash of chicken broth to rehydrate it during cooking.
Storage and Reheating
- Refrigeration - Store leftovers of your teriyaki chicken leftover recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing - For longer storage, freeze in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Allow to thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating - Warm gently in a skillet with a splash of water or broth to prevent drying out, or microwave on 70% power with a damp paper towel covering the dish. Explore best methods for storing and reheating chicken with sauce.
Additions & Substitutions
Additions:
- Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes or sriracha for a spicy kick
- Mix in a beaten egg at the end for extra protein and a fried rice feel
- Toss in some pineapple chunks for a sweet tropical twist
- Stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter for a Thai-inspired flavor profile
Substitutions:
- Swap rice for cauliflower rice to make this dish lower in carbs
- Use any protein leftovers if you don't have teriyaki chicken (plain chicken, beef, or tofu work well)
- Replace olive oil with sesame oil for more authentic Asian flavor
- Substitute soy sauce mixed with a bit of honey if you don't have teriyaki sauce
FAQs about this Teriyaki Chicken Leftover Recipe
How long is leftover teriyaki chicken good for?
How to reheat leftover teriyaki chicken?
What to make with leftover chicken?
What Can I Serve with this Teriyaki Chicken Leftover?
This versatile dish is a complete meal on its own, but for a more substantial dinner, consider serving it with a simple side salad dressed with rice vinegar and sesame oil, or a light miso soup. A side of kimchi or quick-pickled vegetables also provides a nice contrast to the sweet teriyaki flavors.
If you try this teriyaki chicken leftover recipe, I'd love to hear how it turned out! Please leave a comment below and share your experience or any creative modifications you made.
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Teriyaki Chicken Leftover Recipe
Equipment
- Large Skillet
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups leftover teriyaki chicken shredded or diced
- 1 cup cooked rice or noodles
- 1 cup mixed vegetables e.g., broccoli, carrots, bell peppers
- 2 tablespoon leftover teriyaki sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Garnish
- sesame seeds
- sliced green onions
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add mixed vegetables and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the leftover teriyaki chicken and cook for another 2 minutes to warm through.
- Add the cooked rice or noodles and pour in the leftover teriyaki sauce. Mix well and heat for an additional 2 minutes.
- Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds and sliced green onions.
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