25 Delectable Recipes That Make Good Use of Rotisserie Chicken
A tender, perfectly cooked rotisserie chicken is often all you need to turn a simple dish into a wow-worthy meal. Easily picked up from the grocery store, the nutrient-rich protein serves as an ideal starting point for a number of different dinner recipes. The premade and seasoned chicken saves time (you'll have one less component to cook on busy weeknights) while its crispy skin flecked with seasoning practically guarantees a flavor-packed entrée. Whether you purchase a small fowl or large bird, there are so many tasty and intriguing ways to transform the classic meat into something special for your family.
If you're looking for a more involved recipe, take a trip down memory lane with a traditional bake, like the Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole that's pictured here. You could also try the equally delicious Chicken and Spinach Casserole, which is made with a mouthwatering white wine-cream sauce and savory spinach for an extra dose of nutrients. Another warm favorite, our Chicken Potpies with Ham, will have the whole family asking for seconds.
Though it's easily used in rich and decadent casseroles, a rotisserie chicken can be put to good use in lighter meals, including our flavorful Asian-inspired Chicken, Mushroom, and Cabbage Salad with Soy-Lemon Dressing. Make the salad as an appetizer or as a tasty lunch option—it only takes just 20 minutes to put together. For more Eastern flavors, try our Indian-inspired Mango Chicken Salad. The bright colored mangos pack just as much flavor as they do color, and their sweet flavor pairs perfectly with the cooked chicken when placed atop a bed of lettuce.
From quick and simple salads and sandwiches to hearty and decadent casseroles, rotisserie chicken remains the most valuable ingredient in these tried and true recipes. Get dinner on the table fast with any of the following ideas.
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Half-Hour Chicken Gumbo
Rotisserie chicken, precooked andouille sausage, and frozen okra are the workarounds that get this stew on the table in 30 minutes. To make the most of your time, bake a batch of cornbread while the gumbo simmers.
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Cobb Salad Sandwich
Enjoy your Cobb salad in sandwich form when you stack crusty bread with shredded chicken, bacon, tomato, avocado, and hard-cooked eggs. Drizzle with homemade blue cheese dressing just before serving.
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Chicken with Couscous and Orange
Using a supermarket rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking couscous gets this one-pot dinner on the table in a flash. Fresh mint leaves, chopped navel orange, and toasted pistachios lend vibrant flavors to this easy meal.
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Chicken and Kale Casserole
Kale and lemon zest add a twist to this chicken and pasta casserole, while ricotta and parmesan cheeses make it rich and satisfying.
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Apricot-Basil Chicken Salad
Dried apricots, fresh basil, and slivered almonds make this chicken salad worthy of a spot at an elegant luncheon or in a pretty picnic basket. Combine mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, paprika, minced garlic, and champagne vinegar to make the tangy, flavorful dressing.
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Asian Chicken Sandwich
This sandwich—a cross between an Asian chicken salad and a Vietnamese banh mi sandwich—gets crunch and color from a tangy slaw of red cabbage and carrots dressed in lime juice and soy sauce. Spread a baguette with mayonnaise and layer with shredded rotisserie chicken, slaw, and fresh cilantro and mint leaves.
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Turmeric-Ginger Chicken Soup
In just under 20 minutes, create this immunity-boosting soup with store-bought broth and rotisserie chicken—dinner is served in a flash!
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Chicken Posole
Our easy version of the traditional Mexican soup seasons canned chicken broth with tomato paste, chili powder, and plenty of garlic. Pick up a rotisserie chicken or use leftover chicken or turkey as the protein base.
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Chicken, Chickpea, and Pesto Salad
Toss chickpeas, sliced English cucumber, celery, and shredded rotisserie chicken breasts in pesto to make this hearty chicken salad. Chopped tomatoes and bell peppers can be added for extra flavor and crunch.
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Southwestern Chicken Wraps
A tangy, spicy spread made from sour cream, pickled jalapeños, and lime juice adds kick to these wraps stuffed with rotisserie chicken, black beans, tomato, and avocado.
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Roasted Chicken Salad
It's quick and easy to make this sophisticated chicken salad when you start with a store-bought rotisserie chicken. Add toasted pecans, sliced celery and scallions, raisins, oregano, and chopped Fuji or lady apples, and coat with a tangy sour cream dressing.
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Asian Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Blend two cups of fresh cilantro with lime juice and vegetable oil to make the bold, fresh dressing for this quick Asian chicken salad. Toss romaine lettuce with the cilantro dressing and pile rotisserie chicken, red bell pepper, scallions, red cabbage, and cashews on top.
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Chicken Potpies with Ham
Fennel bulb and seeds add a new twist to the classic chicken potpie. Using store-bought pie crust and rotisserie chicken means this recipe is quick enough to make for a weeknight dinner.
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Barbecued Chicken on Garlic Toast
Using a rotisserie chicken and bottled barbecue sauce, these irresistible sandwiches come together in just 15 minutes. Choose thick Texas toast or regular white sandwich bread to make the garlic toast.
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Chicken, Rice, and Black-Bean Salad
With brown rice, black beans, and sliced tomatoes, this hearty Southwestern chicken salad makes a complete meal. Toss with jalapeño-cumin vinaigrette to give it a little kick.
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Chicken, Avocado, and Bacon Sandwich
Shredded rotisserie chicken is a great source of protein in this easy and filling sandwich. Spread slices of toast with garlic mayonnaise and stack with sliced avocado and bacon for a satisfying bite. Served with a side salad, it's a great dinner option.
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Chicken and Spinach Casserole
Combine shredded rotisserie chicken with sautéed spinach in a white wine-cream sauce to make this comforting casserole. The topping of torn bread lightly coated in olive oil becomes golden and crisp as it bakes.
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Chicken, Mushroom, and Cabbage Salad with Soy-Lemon Dressing
Marinate sliced white button or cremini mushrooms in a warm mixture of soy sauce, lemon juice, sugar, and sesame oil to make a delectable dressing for this quick Asian chicken salad. Toss the dressing with shredded leftover cooked or rotisserie chicken, napa cabbage, radishes, carrot, celery, scallion, and mint leaves.
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Chicken and Kale Hand Pies with Cheddar Crust
Flaky cheddar pastry encloses a filling of sautéed kale, leeks, thyme, and shredded chicken. These hand-held pies make a satisfying lunch dish or party appetizer.
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Healthy Chicken Burrito Bowl
The simple cilantro-lime marinade transforms the rotisserie chicken in this deconstructed burrito, while the rice and beans can easily be switched out for your favorite grains or lettuce.
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Chicken, Mushroom, and Goat Cheese Burritos
Rotisserie chicken and frozen corn are great time-savers in these easy burritos. Sautéed mushrooms, green salsa, goat cheese, and spinach add layers of flavor.
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Mango Chicken Salad
This Indian-inspired chicken salad combines shredded chicken and diced mango in a spicy yogurt dressing seasoned with Major Grey's mango chutney, lime juice, turmeric, cayenne pepper, and fresh cilantro. Serve the chicken salad on a bed of spinach, sprinkled with toasted coconut.
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Chicken Tostada Salad
Use store-bought rotisserie chicken to prepare this quick dinner—it's ready in just 25 minutes. To make this Mexican-inspired chicken salad, melt Monterey Jack cheese on oven-crisped corn tortillas before topping with a chili powder-seasoned chicken and red onion mixture. Top each chicken tostada salad with your choice of garnishes, such as diced avocado, chopped tomato, fresh cilantro, or salsa.