Wondering what to make with rotisserie chicken? You already have the hardest part done. A store-bought rotisserie chicken is tender, flavorful, and ready to use, so it can turn into an easy dinner in very little time.
It is also a great way to save money and avoid food waste. You can pull the chicken from the bones, add it to pasta, tacos, sandwiches, soups, casseroles, or salads, and make a completely different meal each time.
These easy rotisserie chicken recipes are perfect for busy weeknights, quick lunches, and simple family dinners. Most use basic ingredients that are easy to find at any American grocery store.
1. Chicken Tacos
Rotisserie chicken makes tasty tacos with almost no work. Pull the chicken into small pieces and warm it in a skillet with taco seasoning and a little water. You can also add a squeeze of lime for extra flavor.
Fill warm tortillas with the chicken and add shredded lettuce, cheese, tomatoes, avocado, or salsa. Sour cream and fresh cilantro are also great toppings. This is an easy dinner that everyone can build the way they like.
For a little more flavor, warm the tortillas in a dry skillet before serving. You can use flour or corn tortillas depending on what your family prefers.
2. Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken quesadillas are one of the easiest meals to make with leftover rotisserie chicken. Place shredded chicken and shredded cheese between two flour tortillas. Cook in a skillet until the tortillas are golden and the cheese melts.
Cut the quesadilla into triangles and serve it with salsa, sour cream, or guacamole. You can also add black beans, corn, bell peppers, or green onions.
This meal works well for both lunch and dinner. It is also a great way to use small amounts of leftover vegetables.
3. Chicken Pasta
Creamy chicken pasta is a simple comfort food that can be ready quickly. Cook your favorite pasta and toss it with shredded rotisserie chicken and a creamy sauce.
You can make a simple sauce with butter, garlic, cream, Parmesan cheese, salt, and black pepper. Add broccoli or spinach if you want some vegetables in the meal.
The cooked chicken only needs to be warmed through because it is already cooked. This makes the recipe much faster than starting with raw chicken.
4. Chicken Salad
Chicken salad is a great choice when you want something cold and easy. Mix shredded rotisserie chicken with mayonnaise, a little mustard, salt, and black pepper.
For extra crunch, add chopped celery, red onion, or pickles. You can also add grapes or dried cranberries if you like a little sweetness.
Serve the chicken salad on bread, croissants, crackers, or lettuce leaves. It is especially useful for easy lunches during a busy week.
5. Chicken Soup
Rotisserie chicken can make homemade soup much faster. Start with chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, and seasonings. Let the vegetables cook until they are tender.
Add shredded rotisserie chicken near the end and let it warm through. You can also add noodles, rice, potatoes, or beans.
This is a warm and filling meal for cold days. It is also a simple way to turn leftover chicken into something new.
6. Chicken Enchiladas
Chicken enchiladas are a great dinner when you have several cups of leftover chicken. Mix the chicken with a little cheese and enchilada sauce, then roll it inside tortillas.
Place the filled tortillas in a baking dish and cover them with more enchilada sauce and cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve with avocado, sour cream, chopped cilantro, or a simple green salad. You can prepare the dish earlier in the day and bake it when you are ready for dinner.
7. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
For a quick meal, mix shredded rotisserie chicken with your favorite barbecue sauce. Warm it in a skillet until hot and well coated.
Pile the chicken onto soft hamburger buns. Add coleslaw, pickles, or thinly sliced red onion for extra crunch.
These sandwiches are great for busy weeknights because they take only a few minutes to prepare. You can serve them with potato wedges, corn, or a simple salad.
8. Chicken Casserole
A chicken casserole is a good way to turn leftover chicken into a filling family meal. Combine shredded chicken with cooked rice or pasta, vegetables, a creamy sauce, and cheese.
Spread everything into a baking dish and add more cheese on top. Bake until hot and golden.
Broccoli, peas, carrots, corn, and spinach can all work well. You can also use leftover cooked vegetables instead of making new ones.
9. Chicken Fried Rice
Rotisserie chicken is perfect for quick homemade fried rice. Use cooked and chilled rice, shredded chicken, eggs, peas, carrots, and green onions.
Cook everything in a large skillet or wok with a little oil. Add soy sauce and a small amount of sesame oil for flavor.
This is an easy meal when you have leftover rice in the refrigerator. It can be ready much faster than ordering takeout.
10. Chicken Flatbread
Chicken flatbread is a simple meal that feels a little different from a normal sandwich. Start with naan, pita, or another flatbread.
Add shredded rotisserie chicken, mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes, and a little sauce. Bake until the cheese melts and the edges become crisp.
You can also make a BBQ chicken flatbread with barbecue sauce, chicken, red onion, and cheese. Add fresh cilantro after baking for a fresh finish.
11. Chicken Pot Pie
Rotisserie chicken can save a lot of time when making chicken pot pie. Combine shredded chicken with peas, carrots, corn, and a creamy sauce.
Place the filling in a baking dish and cover it with refrigerated pie crust or puff pastry. Bake until the top is golden brown and the filling is hot.
This is a cozy family dinner that feels homemade without requiring you to cook a whole chicken. It is especially good during fall and winter.
12. Chicken Caesar Wraps
Chicken Caesar wraps are quick, fresh, and easy to pack for lunch. Mix shredded rotisserie chicken with Caesar dressing and chopped romaine lettuce.
Place the mixture inside a large flour tortilla and add Parmesan cheese. Roll it tightly and cut it in half.
You can add croutons for crunch or avocado for a creamy texture. These wraps are also a good option when you want something lighter than a hot casserole.
How to Store Rotisserie Chicken
If you are not using the whole chicken right away, remove the meat from the bones and place it in a covered container. Keep it refrigerated and use it within a few days.
You can also freeze shredded chicken for later meals. Divide it into smaller portions before freezing so you can take out only what you need.
Frozen chicken can be useful for quick tacos, soup, casseroles, and sandwiches. Label the container with the date so it is easy to keep track of it.
Easy Ways to Add More Flavor
Rotisserie chicken already has plenty of flavor, but you can change it easily with sauces and seasonings. Taco seasoning gives it a Mexican-style flavor, while barbecue sauce turns it into an easy sandwich filling.
Buffalo sauce is great for wraps and sandwiches. Pesto works well with pasta and flatbread. You can also use ranch, honey mustard, teriyaki sauce, or a simple garlic butter sauce.
Changing the sauce is an easy way to make the same chicken taste completely different.
What to Do With the Leftover Bones
Do not throw away the bones if you like homemade broth. The leftover bones can be used to make chicken stock with water, onion, carrots, celery, and simple seasonings.
Let the mixture cook gently until the broth becomes flavorful. Strain out the bones and vegetables before using the stock.
Homemade stock can be used for soup, rice, gravy, sauces, and casseroles. It is a simple way to get even more use from one rotisserie chicken.
Easy Meals Start With One Chicken
There are so many things you can make with rotisserie chicken. From tacos and quesadillas to soup, pasta, sandwiches, and casseroles, one cooked chicken can become several different meals.
The best part is that you do not have to spend a lot of time cooking the chicken first. Just shred it, add your favorite ingredients, and turn it into a meal your family will enjoy.
If you have a rotisserie chicken in the refrigerator tonight, try one of these simple ideas instead of eating the same leftovers again. A few basic ingredients can turn it into an easy and delicious dinner.
