Leftover roast chicken is one of those things that always seems like a good idea at the time. A big Sunday roast, plenty of chicken for everyone… and then the next day you open the fridge and realise you’ve got quite a lot left.
Of course there are the usual options: sandwiches, chicken salad, maybe a bit thrown into a pasta dish. But this week I thought I’d try something a little different.
I’ve been looking for new ways to use up leftover chicken and kept coming across something called chimichangas. These are essentially filled tortillas that are folded up and then fried or baked until they’re crispy.
I’ve never made them before, but the idea seemed simple enough – and perfect for leftover roast chicken.
I’m calling mine crispy chicken wraps 🌯, mainly because it sounds slightly less mysterious and a bit more like something that might appear on the family dinner table without too many questions.
The idea
Take some leftover roast chicken, shred it up and mix it with a few tasty extras. Then wrap it all inside a tortilla, fold it up like a parcel, and cook it until the outside goes golden and crisp.
The result is something halfway between a burrito and a toasted wrap, with a crunchy outside and a warm, savoury filling inside.
Why this works so well
Leftover roast chicken already has lots of flavour, so it doesn’t need much help. Wrapping it in a tortilla and crisping it up transforms it into something that feels like a completely new meal.
It’s quick, easy, and a great way to avoid food waste. And if, like me, you’ve never made anything resembling a chimichanga before, this is a very forgiving place to start.
For my version of crispy chicken wraps, I’ve used homemade refried beans, homemade enchilada sauce, and a simple garlic sauce. I’ve written these up as separate recipes so you can mix and match depending on what you have in the fridge – or how much effort you feel like making.
You can find the recipes below. 👇
Have you got a favourite way to use up leftover roast chicken? I’m always looking for new ideas.
Love,
Jam Jam 💛