15 Pre-Cooked Rotisserie Chicken Meals For Quick, Delicious Weeknight Dinners
homedude is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, We may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Rotisserie chicken: a weeknight lifesaver.
This versatile protein is a busy cook’s best friend. Skip the takeout menus and create satisfying meals with these 15 recipe ideas, all featuring the magic of pre-cooked rotisserie chicken.
These are basic recipe ideas; feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavors to create your ideal rotisserie chicken meals. Pick up one or two on your next grocery run and start using them to whip up stress-free dinners.
1. Chopped Chicken Salad
This is a classic for a reason. Shred the chicken and toss it with your favorite greens, chopped vegetables, diced fruits (like grapes or apples), nuts, and a light vinaigrette. Add cooked grains like quinoa, brown rice, or barley for a heartier salad.
2. Mandarin Orange Chicken Salad
Add a sweet and tangy twist with mandarin oranges, sliced red onion, chopped celery, and a creamy Asian-inspired dressing. To elevate the flavor of your mandarin orange chicken salad, consider using toasted slivered almonds instead of raw almonds. Toasting the almonds brings out a richer, nuttier flavor that complements the sweetness of the mandarin oranges and the savory chicken.
3. Buffalo Chicken Salad
Spice things up with buffalo sauce, blue cheese crumbles, celery, and red onion. Serve on toasted buns or lettuce wraps. To create a more balanced flavor profile in your buffalo chicken salad, consider adding a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt, or blue cheese dressing to help tame the heat and add a cooling, tangy counterpoint.
4. Chicken Tortilla Soup
This is a quick and flavorful fiesta in a bowl. Shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, corn, black beans, and tortilla strips simmered in a flavorful broth. If you have time, you can roast the chicken carcass and vegetables before simmering them in the water. This adds a deeper, caramelized flavor to the broth.
5. Chicken and Rice Soup
Comfort food at its finest. Shredded chicken, cooked rice, carrots, celery, and your favorite herbs simmered in chicken broth. Add fresh cilantro for a burst of flavor to complement the rice and soup.
6. Chicken Noodle Soup
It is a classic consisting of shredded chicken, egg noodles, carrots, celery, and chicken broth. For a more herbal flavor, add a bay leaf, a few sprigs of fresh thyme, or whole peppercorns to the vegetables. Cook the noodles separately in a pot of boiling water. Once the noodles are cooked slightly firm to the bite, remove them and rinse them in cold water. Then, add the cooked and drained noodles to the simmering broth along with the shredded chicken and any other vegetables you like in your soup. Heat through for a couple of minutes and serve immediately.
7. Chicken Alfredo
A creamy and decadent treat. Shredded chicken tossed with fettuccine pasta in a creamy Alfredo sauce. Feel free to experiment with different types of pasta. Other options include linguine, pappardelle, or even rotini. You can use low-fat cream or half-and-half instead of heavy cream for a lighter version. However, the sauce will not be as rich and creamy.
8. Chicken Caesar Salad
This is a lighter take on a classic: shredded chicken on romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing, parmesan cheese, and crunchy croutons. If romaine lettuce is unavailable, you can use other sturdy greens like kale, radicchio, or a mix of baby greens. While homemade Caesar dressing offers a fresh and flavorful option, a good quality store-bought dressing can save you time. This salad pairs perfectly with crusty bread or toasted garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
9. Chicken Broccoli Pasta
A quick and healthy weeknight meal. You can try a one-pot version of this recipe. Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot, reserving some pasta water before draining. Add the broccoli florets and cook until tender-crisp. Then, follow the steps for making your chosen sauce directly in the pot with the cooked pasta, broccoli, and reserved pasta water. Finally, stir in the rotisserie chicken slices and heat through.
10. BBQ Chicken Pizza
Get creative with leftover rotisserie chicken! Top store-bought or homemade pizza dough with BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, red onion, and mozzarella cheese. Bake until golden brown. Feel free to experiment with different toppings beyond the classics, such as chopped pineapple, diced red onion, or sliced red peppers to top up your intake.
11. Chicken Enchiladas
A crowd-pleasing Mexican favorite. Shredded chicken rolled in tortillas with cheese, green chiles, and your favorite enchilada sauce. Baked until bubbly and golden. Let the enchiladas cool slightly before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh cilantro, sliced green onions, sour cream, and diced avocado.
12. Chicken Stir-Fry
Chicken stir-fry is a quick, easy, and endlessly customizable meal perfect for busy weeknights. Sauté shredded chicken with your favorite vegetables (broccoli, peppers, onions) and a stir-fry sauce of your choice. Serve over rice or noodles.
13. Chicken Quesadillas
Chicken quesadillas are a quick, easy, and satisfying meal perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack. Stuff tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and your favorite toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.
14. Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is a savory blend of tender chicken, flavorful vegetables, and creamy sauce encased in a flaky or puff pastry crust. For a shortcut, use leftover chicken and pre-made puff pastry for a quick and easy pot pie. Let the chicken pot pie cool for at least 15 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the filling to set and prevents burning.
15. Chicken Salad Sandwiches
It is simple, satisfying, and a quick lunch option. Pile shredded chicken salad on toasted bread with your favorite condiments. If your chicken salad seems too dry, add a little more mayonnaise or a tablespoon of chicken broth for extra moisture.
Always Have A Rotisserie Chicken In The Fridge
There are two main ways to store leftover rotisserie chicken: in the fridge or freezer, depending on how soon you plan to eat it.
If in the fridge, remove the chicken from the plastic bag or container it came in from the store. This plastic can trap moisture and lead to faster spoilage. Tightly wrap the chicken in aluminum foil or plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container. This helps prevent the chicken from drying out and absorbing fridge odors. Properly stored rotisserie chicken will stay safe to eat in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
To store in the freezer, you can choose to debone the chicken to save space and easier portion control. Wrap the chicken pieces or whole chicken (if not deboned) securely in freezer paper or plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer bag or airtight container to prevent freezer burn. Frozen rotisserie chicken will stay safe to eat for up to 90 days.
Enjoy Delicious Quick Meals
With these 15 recipe ideas, you can turn a pre-cooked rotisserie chicken into a week’s worth of delicious and satisfying meals. So next time you’re at the grocery store, grab a rotisserie chicken and get creative in the kitchen!