If you haven’t added grocery store rotisserie chickens to your weeknight survival kit, this is your sign! That little chicken does so much work during the weeks when cooking from scratch feels impossible. Here are 16 easy, cozy ideas to help you get the whole family to eat dinner.
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1) Buffalo Chicken Wrap
It will be ready before the kids finish asking what's for dinner, plus it's spicy and creamy!
Five simple dinners. One grocery list.
No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.
Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Ingredients
Method
- In a bowl, toss the shredded chicken with buffalo sauce until evenly coated.
- Warm the tortillas for a few seconds so they roll without cracking.
- Spread ranch down the center of each tortilla, then layer lettuce, celery, buffalo chicken, and blue cheese.
- Fold in the sides and roll up tightly. Slice in half and serve.
Notes
2) Chicken Alfredo Pizza
You can now enjoy all the comforts of fettuccine alfredo while being able to eat it with your hands.
Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
- Spread alfredo sauce evenly over the crust, leaving a small border.
- Scatter the chicken over the sauce, then top with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Bake for 12 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Sprinkle with parsley, slice, and serve.
Notes
3) BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Sweet, smoky, and cheesy to draw everyone to the kitchen!
BBQ Chicken Quesadillas
Ingredients
Method
- Toss the chicken with barbecue sauce until well coated.
- Melt a little butter in a skillet over medium heat.
- Lay down a tortilla, add cheese, barbecue chicken, red onion, more cheese, and a second tortilla.
- Cook 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden and the cheese melts.
- Slice into wedges and serve warm.
Notes
4) Chicken Caesar Salad
This dinner is refreshing and relaxing on a warm evening.
Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Add the chopped romaine to a large bowl.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing and toss until the leaves are coated.
- Top with rotisserie chicken, croutons, and shaved parmesan.
- Finish with cracked black pepper and serve immediately.
Notes
5) Southwestern Chicken Soup
A big cozy pot that tastes like it simmered all day!
Southwestern Chicken Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add the taco seasoning and toast for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the broth, tomatoes, black beans, and corn, then bring to a simmer.
- Stir in the chicken and simmer for 15 minutes.
- Ladle into bowls and top with your favorite garnishes.
Notes
6) Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
With a hug as a reward, it’s sure to be a hit! It’s cheesy and saucy, so it’ll be perfect!
Chicken and Cheese Enchiladas
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and spread a little sauce in a baking dish.
- Mix the chicken with half the cheese and the diced onion.
- Warm the tortillas, fill each with the chicken mixture, roll up, and place seam-side down.
- Pour the remaining sauce over the top and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until bubbly, then top with cilantro.
Notes
7) Thai Chicken Curry
Rich and luscious coconut curry that can be made in less time than it takes to receive take out!
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Ingredients
Method
- In a pot over medium heat, stir the curry paste into a splash of coconut milk until fragrant.
- Pour in the rest of the coconut milk and the broth, then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add the bell pepper and cook for 5 minutes until just tender.
- Stir in the chicken and fish sauce and simmer 5 more minutes.
- Serve over jasmine rice.
Notes
8) Chicken Pot Pie
Flaky, golden, and pure cozy comfort and with almost zero effort.
Chicken Pot Pie
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Stir together the chicken, vegetables, soup, and milk, then pour into a baking dish.
- Lay the puff pastry over the top and trim to fit, cutting a few slits to vent.
- Brush the pastry with beaten egg.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the crust is puffed and golden.
Notes
9) Chicken Stir Fry
A vibrant skillet meal that helps you use up any veggies that are starting to wilt in your crisper.
Chicken Stir Fry
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over high heat.
- Add the vegetables and stir-fry for 4 to 5 minutes until crisp-tender.
- Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in the chicken, soy sauce, and honey and toss for 2 minutes to heat through.
- Serve over rice.
Notes
10) Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Zesty and warm, this soup wraps you in comfort.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the olive oil in a pot and cook the carrot for 3 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and bring to a boil.
- Add the orzo and cook for 8 to 9 minutes until tender.
- Stir in the chicken and spinach and simmer until the spinach wilts.
- Remove from heat, stir in the lemon juice, and serve.
Notes
11) Chicken Tacos
Thanks to that bird, taco night just got a lot quicker!
Chicken Tacos
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the chicken in a skillet with the taco seasoning and water for 5 minutes.
- Warm the tortillas in a dry pan or microwave.
- Fill each tortilla with the seasoned chicken.
- Top with lettuce, cheese, and salsa, and serve.
Notes
12) Chicken Fajitas
You can feel the restaurant quality at home when you eat sizzling onions and peppers.
Chicken Fajitas
Ingredients
Method
- Heat the oil in a large skillet over high heat.
- Add the peppers and onion and cook for 6 to 7 minutes until charred and soft.
- Sprinkle in the fajita seasoning and stir.
- Add the chicken and cook for 3 minutes to heat through and coat.
- Pile into warm tortillas and serve.
Notes
13) Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
A cheesy bake that sneakily gets veggies into the kids!
Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Stir together the chicken, broccoli, rice, soup, milk, and half the cheese.
- Spread into a greased baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Let rest a few minutes before serving.
Notes
14) Chicken Pesto Pasta
It takes as long as boiling the noodles to make it fresh and herby.
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients
Method
- Cook the penne according to package directions, then reserve a little pasta water and drain.
- Return the pasta to the pot and stir in the pesto and a splash of pasta water.
- Add the chicken and cherry tomatoes and toss until warmed through.
- Finish with parmesan and serve.
Notes
15) Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
A light dinner or lunch that you can prepare in advance and will feel like a fun little treat.
Honey Mustard Chicken Salad
Ingredients
Method
- Whisk together the mayonnaise, mustard, and honey in a bowl.
- Add the chicken, celery, and cranberries and stir to combine.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Chill for 10 minutes, then serve on bread, crackers, or greens.
Notes
16) Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
You get all the comfort of chicken parm without needing to dredge or fry anything.
Chicken Parmesan Sandwich
Ingredients
Method
- Warm the chicken and marinara together in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Brush the rolls with olive oil and toast lightly.
- Spoon the saucy chicken into each roll and top with mozzarella and parmesan.
- Place under the broiler for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese melts.
- Serve hot.