If you like to rely on shortcuts to get dinner on the table, you’ll love these easy ways to use rotisserie chicken. The precooked chicken will save you time and the recipes below will keep you from getting bored.
We’ve all done it. You look up and realize the kids will be home from school any minute and that your son has soccer practice at 6 so have to eat an early dinner, and then remember that you haven’t taken anything out of the freezer for dinner. Your left eye starts to twitch and your thighs automatically start to expand as you realize that you will probably have to rely on a trip through a drive-thru to feed your family tonight.
The good news is, you have another option. If you forget to thaw meat for dinner, instead of spending a lot of money on eating out or ordering in, why not pick up a rotisserie chicken for just a few dollars at your local grocery store and try one of these satisfying and healthy family meals? Save money, eat healthy, no guilt—this is a no brainer.
Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken
Although I’ve definitely served rotisserie chicken as is with some steamed veggies on the side, if I have a few extra minutes I like to do something more interesting. Each of these different ways to use rotisserie chicken are quick and easy. Plus, they’ll keep you from getting bored with this busy weeknight staple.
Chicken Salad
This chicken salad recipe from Craving Something Good is an easy, crowd-pleasing version that also works well as an appetizer when spooned into phyllo tartlets (as shown in her picture below).
Soup
In colder months, nothing is more satisfying than a hot bowl of chicken soup. Try this easy, hearty version from the Authentic Suburban Gourmet – Rotisserie Chicken & Barley Soup.
Pizza
Simple and quick to throw together, with flavors that are popular with kids. If you like the BBQ Chicken Pizza from a very popular pizza franchise, you will love this copycat recipe from the Split Pearsonality Recipe Collection.
Mexican Food
Tired of tacos? Satisfy your craving for Mexican food with these kid-friendly Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas from Fancy Fork.
Pasta Salad
Bold, fresh flavors to bring life to your otherwise plain rotisserie chicken. This recipe for Greek Chicken Pasta Salad from Blissfully Domestic is great for hot summer nights when you want something refreshing.
Casserole
You will love this revision of the classic comfort food from Skinny Mom. This Skinny Chicken Broccoli Casserole tastes so good, the only thing you’ll miss is the calories.
Skillet Dinner
Quick, flavorful, and a departure from your standard chicken dinners. This delicious Chicken and Couscous Skillet Dinner from Kevin & Amanda will easily become one of your new go-to meals for busy nights.
More Ways to Use Rotisserie Chicken
If you have any chicken leftover after making one of the delicious recipes above, you can use it on your salad or in a wrap for lunch the next day, stretching that $5 purchase even farther. You can’t do that with a fast food “value” meal.
I often find myself buying a rotisserie chicken from the store-as a person who lives alone it does make life easier–but boring –thank you so much for the helpful recipes so I don’t have to eat it the same way many days in a row!!
I like to use a marked down rotisserie chicken to make chicken and sausage gumbo. Nothing like a shortcut to a fabulous meal! 🙂
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I really appreciate this post. We love Rotisserie Chicken – always so many wonderful things to do with it! But if you have a home roasted chicken these would work well too.
Going to bookmark these for more ideas Thanks
Great ideas for dinner. I love the chicken salad. This will make dinner time less stressful on busy days. Thanks for all the recipes.
Not yet, Corinne! I have 5 years old and 13 months old, that’s why there are so much left over left! 😉
Thanks for all of the recipes! My husband loves a rotisserie chicken, and it would be nice to use it in something else besides the way we always eat it!
Don’t forget that the bones make great chicken stock, so you get even more for your money 🙂 Great ideas!
Great suggestion! So much less sodium that way too compared to store-brought broth. Thanks for sharing the tip.
I always have a lot of left over when I buy rotisserie chicken. Thank’s for sharing the 7 ways ideas!
You must not have a teenage son–LOL. Ever since mine hit puberty, the rest of us are lucky to get enough to eat! I hope you enjoy the recipes.
These are great ideas! Thank you!! Rotisserie chickens are popular these days, but people rarely post the recipes. Since we have a small household (2 adults), 1 decent sized rotisserie chicken can last us 4 meals or so if used right, but I get bored with the same old recipes.
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