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    Home » Recipes » Curry

    Easy Leftover Chicken Curry Recipe

    Published: Jul 23, 2024 · Modified: Mar 19, 2025 by Beth Sachs · 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe
    Leftover chicken curry pin image.

    A creamy and mild leftover chicken curry recipe using roast chicken leftovers or store bought rotisserie chicken!

    It's quick (prepped and cooked in less than 30 minutes), easy, and perfect for busy weeknights!

    Leftover roast chicken curry with red peppers in a red pan.

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    You can use leftover roast chicken or roast turkey in this easy mild curry recipe!

    Serve the leftover roast chicken curry with homemade pilau rice and naan bread for a delicious curry night feast.

    Add vegetables to bulk up the curry, so the amount of leftover chicken doesn’t matter. Have less chicken? Simply increase the vegetables!

    👩‍🍳Looking for more leftover chicken recipes? Try my easy leftover chicken tacos or BBQ Chicken Pizza next!

    Jump to:
    • ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!
    • 🛒 Ingredient notes
    • 🔪 How to make leftover chicken curry
    • Top Tips
    • 🍴 Serving suggestions
    • 📖 Variations
    • 🥡 Storage
    • ❓ Frequently asked questions
    • More chicken curry recipes
    • 😋 More curry recipes
    • Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    ✔️ Why you'll love this recipe!

    1. Simple left over chicken curry recipe.
    2. Bulk it out with vegetables.
    3. Mild and creamy to suit the whole family.
    4. Freezer-friendly.

    "A great recipe for using leftover cooked chicken. I used coconut milk and the curry was delicious." ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Andrea

    🛒 Ingredient notes

    Ingredients for roast chicken curry.

    Chicken - 300 - 400g of leftover roast chicken pieces. If you have less chicken, add another pepper, or other vegetables like courgettes or aubergines.

    Olive Oil - for frying.

    Onion - one brown onion, finely chopped.

    Garlic - 2 garlic cloves, peeled and finely chopped.

    Fresh Ginger - roughly 1 teaspoon of freshly grated ginger.

    Pepper - red, orange, or yellow pepper, sliced.

    Curry Powder - use a good quality mild or medium curry powder, depending on individual taste.

    Mango Chutney - gives the curry a fruity flavour boost.

    Creme Fraiche - use full-fat creme fraiche or swap for coconut cream or coconut milk. Half-fat creme fraiche may split on heating.

    Salt & Pepper - for seasoning.

    Coriander - freshly chopped for garnish

    Recently boiled water - to loosen the sauce if needed.

    🔪 How to make leftover chicken curry

    The recipe card with ingredient quantities and detailed instructions can be found at the bottom of the post

    One: Heat the oil in a shallow casserole or large frying pan and gently cook the onions, garlic, ginger, and sliced red pepper for 4-5 minutes.

    Two: Add the curry powder and stir into the onion mixture.

    Three: Mix in the mango chutney, creme fraiche, salt & pepper and simmer on a low heat for 4-5 minutes.

    Four: Add a few tablespoons of boiling water to loosen the sauce (I used 2 tablespoons) then stir in the leftover chicken. Garnish with coriander before serving.

    Step by step photo instructions for making leftover chicken curry.

    Top Tips

    • This is a great base recipe you can use with a variety of leftover meats, such as turkey, lamb, or beef.
    • Double the recipe and freeze half for another day. If you don't have enough chicken, make up the difference with more vegetables.
    • Use full-fat creme fraiche only. Half-fat creme fraiche will split on heating and become grainy.
    • Curry often tastes better the day after you make it as the flavours have more time to come together.

    🍴 Serving suggestions

    This simple leftover chicken curry recipe is delicious with homemade pilau rice, cauliflower rice, or turmeric rice, as well as naan bread, chapatis, lime pickle, and raita. I often serve a vegetarian curry with it too, like this tasty chickpea and spinach curry.

    Love dessert? Zingy no-bake lemon curd tarts would be my go-to dessert after a curry.

    Leftover chicken and red pepper curry in a red pan.

    📖 Variations

    • Swap the red pepper for a can of drained chickpeas.
    • Add a handful of baby spinach at the end of cooking. The residual heat will wilt the spinach in minutes.
    • Like your curries hot? Use hot curry powder and add a chopped red chilli or chilli powder.
    • Mix in leftover cooked vegetables such as green beans, sweet potato, butternut squash, or cauliflower. It's a great way to bulk out the curry if you don't have much chicken.
    • Swap the creme fraiche for coconut milk or coconut cream. If you prefer tomato based sauces, use a tin of tomatoes instead.
    • Sprinkle over garam masala, sultanas or cashew nuts before serving.

    🥡 Storage

    Store - The curry can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.

    Reheat - In the microwave until piping hot.

    Freeze - Allow to cool and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.

    Leftover chicken curry.

    ❓ Frequently asked questions

    Can you reheat cooked chicken to make a curry?

    Yes, you can! Ensure the cooked chicken has been stored correctly in the fridge in an airtight container.

    Can I use rotisserie chicken to make curry?

    Yes, you can! It's a quick and easy alternative to using leftover roast chicken.

    Can I use raw chicken in this curry recipe?

    This recipe has been developed using cooked chicken. If you would like to make a curry with raw chicken breasts, try my mild chicken curry recipe instead!

    More chicken curry recipes

    • Mild Chicken Curry
    • Slow Cooker Chicken Curry
    • Mango Chutney Chicken Curry
    • Peanut Butter Chicken Curry
    • Chicken Pasanda

    😋 More curry recipes

    • Creamy chicken pasanda.
      Easy Chicken Pasanda Curry Recipe
    • Quorn curry in a red pan.
      Easy Quorn Curry Recipe
    • Creamy mango chutney chicken.
      Fruity Mango Chutney Chicken Curry Recipe
    • Courgette curry in a red pan.
      Easy Courgette and Chickpea Curry
    Leftover chicken and vegetable curry with a bowl of rice.

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    Recipe

    Leftover chicken curry in apna with rice and naan bread on the side.
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    5 from 12 votes

    Easy Leftover Chicken Curry

    A creamy and mild leftover chicken curry recipe using roast chicken leftovers or store bought rotisserie chicken!
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine British, Fusion, Indian
    Prep Time 7 minutes minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time 27 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 301kcal
    Author Beth Sachs
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    Equipment

    • Chopping Board
    • Knife
    • Shallow Casserole
    • Wooden Spoon

    Ingredients

    Metric - US Customary
    • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
    • 1 Onion peeled and finely chopped
    • 2 Garlic Cloves peeled and finely chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Ginger peeled and grated
    • 1 Red Pepper Deseeded and sliced
    • 2 tablespoon Curry Powder mild or medium
    • 150 g Mango Chutney
    • 150 g Creme Fraiche or Coconut Cream full-fat
    • ½ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • 2-3 tablespoon Boiling Water optional
    • 1 tablespoon Coriander chopped
    • 300 g Leftover Chicken shredded or sliced

    Instructions

    • Heat the oil in a shallow casserole or large frying pan and gently cook the onions, garlic, ginger, and sliced red pepper for 4-5 minutes until soft.
      1 tablespoon Olive Oil, 1 Onion, 2 Garlic Cloves, 1 teaspoon Ginger, 1 Red Pepper
    • Add the curry powder and stir into the onion mixture.
      2 tablespoon Curry Powder
    • Mix in the mango chutney, creme fraiche, salt & pepper and simmer on a low heat for 4-5 minutes.
      150 g Mango Chutney, 150 g Creme Fraiche or Coconut Cream, ½ teaspoon Salt, ¼ teaspoon Black Pepper
    • Add a few tablespoons of boiling water if you wish to loosen the sauce (I used 2 tablespoons) then stir in the leftover chicken. Garnish with coriander before serving.
      2-3 tablespoon Boiling Water, 300 g Leftover Chicken, 1 tablespoon Coriander

    Notes

    Top Tips:
    • This is a great base recipe you can use with a variety of leftover meats, such as turkey, lamb, or beef.
    • Double the recipe and freeze half for another day. If you don't have enough chicken, make up the difference with more vegetables.
    • Use full-fat creme fraiche only. Half-fat creme fraiche will split on heating and become grainy.
    • Curry often tastes better the day after you make it as the flavours have more time to come together.
     
    Variations:
    • Swap the red pepper for a can of drained chickpeas.
    • Add a handful of baby spinach at the end of cooking. The residual heat will wilt the spinach in minutes.
    • Like your curries hot? Use hot curry powder and add a chopped red chilli.
    • Mix in leftover cooked vegetables such as green beans, sweet potato, butternut squash, or cauliflower. It's a great way to bulk out the curry if you don't have much chicken.
    • Swap the creme fraiche for coconut milk or coconut cream.
     
    Storage:
    Store - The curry can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
    Reheat - In the microwave until piping hot.
    Freeze - Allow to cool and freeze for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge before reheating.
     
    Nutrition:
    The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
     
    Nutrition Facts
    Easy Leftover Chicken Curry
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    301
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    11
    g
    17
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    5
    g
    31
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    3
    g
    Cholesterol
     
    38
    mg
    13
    %
    Sodium
     
    1117
    mg
    49
    %
    Potassium
     
    458
    mg
    13
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    36
    g
    12
    %
    Fiber
     
    3
    g
    13
    %
    Sugar
     
    22
    g
    24
    %
    Protein
     
    15
    g
    30
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    976
    IU
    20
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    44
    mg
    53
    %
    Calcium
     
    42
    mg
    4
    %
    Iron
     
    2
    mg
    11
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Snap a pic and tag @effortlessf00d on Instagram or Twitter

    More Easy Curry Recipes

    • Slow cooker chicken curry garnished with chopped coriander.
      Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Curry Recipe
    • Turkey mince curry in a red pan.
      Easy Turkey Mince Curry Recipe
    • A pan of leftover turkey curry.
      Easy Leftover Turkey Curry Recipe
    • A pan of beef mince keema curry.
      Easy Beef Keema Curry Recipe

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ned

      January 26, 2023 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      My wife is a huge fan of curry, so I decided to make this for her and she loved it!

      Reply
    2. Tara

      January 26, 2023 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      Oooh, such a wonderful use of leftover roast chicken! The flavors sound amazing, especially with the addition of the mango chutney.

      Reply
    3. Gloria

      January 26, 2023 at 2:16 pm

      5 stars
      This is a great way to use leftover chicken. Curry is always a hit in our house. I know the family will love this for dinner.

      Reply
    4. Toni

      January 26, 2023 at 2:47 pm

      5 stars
      I really love how quick and easy this is!! Perfect for busy nights!

      Reply
    5. Mimi

      January 26, 2023 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      I love it when you can make a new dish from leftovers. This dish was so delicious. Can't wait to make it again.

      Reply
    6. Andrea

      September 14, 2023 at 5:14 am

      5 stars
      A great recipe for using leftover cooked chicken. I used coconut milk and the curry was delicious x

      Reply
    5 from 12 votes (6 ratings without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Beth!

    Mum of three (and two crazy dogs), living in Cornwall, UK. I love creating easy, delicious and fuss-free recipes, perfect for busy families, just like my own.

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