If you're looking for quick and easy recipes using rotisserie chicken, then you'll love this roundup of 16 meal ideas. I'm a fan of using rotisserie chicken to create a quick and easy meal during the week. It saves so much time and effort.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
So sometimes I like to buy rotisserie chicken as I have pre-planned to make something quick and easy. Other times it's because I haven't planned, and I know how great a shortcut using rotisserie chicken is. Rotisserie chicken is definitely one of my survival kit ingredients I like to keep stocked up on.
Five simple dinners. One grocery list.
No recipe hunting, no messy shopping notes, no complicated chef projects. Just family dinners that fit real weeks.
If you always have things like canned beans, rice, and some good flavor boosters, then you're always set to create something quick, easy, and flavorful. I even sometimes buy rotisserie chicken and shred the meat, then freeze it for some easy meals.
1) Buffalo Chicken Wrap
This buffalo chicken wrap using rotisserie chicken is super quick to make and will be ready before your kids even finish asking what's for dinner. Everybody goes for the spicy, creamy flavor of these wraps.
I'm a big fan of using wraps and pre-cooked meats for fillings; they're one of the quickest dinners you can rustle together. Just make sure you have plenty of pantry staples that you can make a good sauce from, and you'll be surprised how quickly you can also love something delicious everyone will enjoy.
Be careful with the buffalo flavor, as it can be too hot for some people. I always add a little less than a recipe suggests if I am making this for other people; you can always add more, but you can't take it away.
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
Think of this one as fettuccine Alfredo but in a handheld pizza form. You don't even need a fork; you can eat the whole thing with your hands.
I like recipes like this, taking a classic and reimagining it in a different format. One of my favorite recipes like this is carbonara French toast.
When it comes to pizza night, my family always thinks of a good red sauce as the base, but the first time they tried a pizza with a white base, they were surprised at how good it was.
One of the weirdest combinations I ever tried was a pizza with figs, goat cheese, and prosciutto. I genuinely didn't know what to expect, but it was so good. It taught me to be a bit more adventurous with my food.
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
Everyone loves quesadillas, and these barbecue chicken quesadillas combine sweetness with smokiness. And with a good helping of cheese is the sort of cooking that everyone enjoys, especially the smell, using rotisserie chicken as the shortcut.
I always like to keep some barbecue sauce in my pantry for nights like these. Quesadillas are usually a treat in my house and not on regular rotation whenever I make quesadillas. When it comes to cheese, I keep it classic and go for something like Monterey Jack or Pepper Jack; you can't go wrong with either.
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
I'm a huge chicken Caesar salad fan, especially when using rotisserie chicken to make it less labor-intensive. Some people might not think of this as dinner, but sometimes you just want something. I went to waiter, waiter, and not do heavy. I like to keep my Caesar salad pretty classic and not veer away from the classic recipe.
This is definitely one of those recipes I like to eat on a hot night. It's tasty, refreshing, still filling but not overly so. And with minimal preparation, it can still be quite relaxing to make on a hot summer night.
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
Soups are a great way to use rotisserie chicken, and this southwestern chicken soup tastes like it has been simmering all day to create our cozy bowl.
When it comes to Southwestern flavors, I am a big fan of spice and smoky flavors; the more, the better, but my family prefers to keep it on the mild side.
My pro tip for a shortcut to make flavorful soups quickly is to always keep things like canned beans and frozen or fresh pre-chopped things like carrots and onions. Using our all-liquid bouillon concentrate or even mole paste can help mimic that smoky flavor without all the effort.
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
Everyone loves enchiladas, and these chicken and cheese ones made from rotisserie chicken are comfort food through and through; they're the best. It's cheesy and saucy, which is a winning combination.
My family loves making enchiladas. It means everyone can get together and pitch in with different tasks. There's a great way to learn about cooking and also spend time with your family. This one is definitely for the cheese lovers.
Whenever we are craving cheese in my house, we either make these or mac and cheese. They both hit the spot when you need that cheesy hit.
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
If you're a fan of Thai chicken curry, you can make it quicker than takeout using rotisserie chicken with a gorgeous coconut curry base, which is lovely and rich. On busy nights, it's easy to reach for takeout, but with a couple of shortcuts and having things like coconut milk in your pantry, you can rustle up something faster than takeout, as much better for you, and taste just as good.
Our family's favorite when we are craving takeout is butter chicken. When it comes to takeout, the maximum I tend to wait is around 30 minutes, which is more than enough time to create something yourself.
That is one of the reasons why I learned to cook butter chicken. You will be amazed at the freshness and the difference in flavor when you make it yourself.
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
I have a good chicken pot pie, and when you make it with rotisserie chicken, you end up with something that is flaky and golden- the ideal comfort food- with hardly any effort needed.
Don't lose this article. Enter your email below, and I'll send it to you right now. Plus a little encouragement and inspiration from me, straight to your inbox.
Sometimes I will make my own crust, but if I need something super quick, then store-bought is more than okay. I like to keep a couple of store-bought crusts in my freezer, so I know dinner is never far away on a busy night.
Other times, I like to make a lot of pot pies when you need something that takes little effort but still tastes good. You can't beat a good chicken pot pie recipe.
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
If you have lots of veggies to use up, try making this chicken stir-fry with rotisserie chicken. Perfect when your fridge drawer is full of veggies starting to wilt. I always tend to have things like peppers, carrots, and savory celery that I need to use up.
In our house, we love things with a little bit of space, so our favorite style of stir-fry sauce is sweet and spicy, usually involving chili and garlic. We make stir-fries regularly; it's one of the best ways to use up odds and ends.
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
If you're craving a comforting bowl of soup, try making lemon chicken orzo soup with rotisserie chicken. It's nice and zesty but also warm and comforting.
I wait to use all of my lemons in my cooking, and using them in soups is a great way to give the whole dish a lift. If you don't have orzo, you can use rice or even noodles.
It's nice to have things like orzo in the pantry for a change. One of my favorite comforting soups is a really good bowl full of spicy, aromatic broth.
We always make sure I have lemons in the fridge to brighten up anything I make. Sometimes I switch it up with limes too.
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
Try making these chicken tacos for a taco night without all the effort, thanks to rotisserie chicken. At our house, we like to always make sure we have 20 toppings and salsas, such as onions, cilantro, lime, and pico de gallo.
We like to have taco night regularly, usually once a week. A great tip for a dinner shortcut is using jarred sauce. I do this when I make pasta, and upgrade the store-bought sauce by adding extra things like garlic and herbs, or onions and ground meat, and nobody ever seems to notice.
When it comes to tacos, I love a crispy shell, but soft shells have their place too.
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
Chicken fajitas made with rotisserie chicken are quick and help you create something with a restaurant-quality feel at home. Everybody loves the sizzling platter effect you get from onions and peppers; when it comes to fajitas, that's what people expect. Presentation can be so important when creating a meal.
Our favorite fajita toppings at home are the classics: fresh guacamole and pico de gallo. I'm a big fan of also adding jalapeños for extra spice. And when I think of restaurant quality, I'm looking for something that has great taste, works well, and looks good.
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
This chicken and broccoli casserole is ideal for sneaking vegetables into your kids' diet without them realizing. Everyone loves a good cheesy bake, especially when you use rotisserie chicken to cut down on the effort.
I use the cheese flavor to mask vegetables when making cauliflower cheese. Casseroles are a big deal in my house; they are so comforting, easy to make, and endlessly customizable. Broccoli is definitely the vegetable that my kids will only eat if it is disguised and usually covered in cheese
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
This chicken pesto pasta using rotisserie chicken is so quick, you can make this the time that it takes to boil the noodles, and you end up with something at this tastes fresh and delicious.
When it comes to making pesto, I'm a big fan of making it myself. The flavor is far superior to anything that you buy in the shops. But the jarred version has its place when you need something quick and easy; fast pasta dinners are a lifesaver.
I regularly make alio olio, so quick and done in 10 minutes. The only thing I do like to always keep bass fresh herbs. So I'm using the difference, it is amazing the difference they make to a quick meal, not only in terms of weaver, but also just makes the mule a little bit, makes the meal a little bit more special and helps to just finish off, finish it off."""
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
If you need a lunch or dinner you can prep ahead of time, try this honey mustard chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken. Honey and mustard are a classic combo. Some might say it's overhyped, but it's one of my favorite combinations.
Prep-ahead meals are so important during the week; one of my favorites is lasagna. You can assemble it in advance, and it's one of my favorite prep-ahead meals. One of my favorite chicken salad recipes is chicken Caesar salad. My mom used to make this for us regularly, and it always takes me back to my childhood.
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
Try this chicken Parmesan sandwich using rotisserie chicken. It gives you all the flavor of chicken parm but without all the effort of dredging and frying the chicken.
Chicken parm is one of those recipes I didn't discover until later in life. I wish I knew about it earlier. So flavorful, and I haven't met anyone who doesn't like a good chicken parm.
For me, a good chicken parm needs plenty of cheese and crispiness from the golden fried chicken. One of my favorite sandwiches to order at a restaurant is a good Reuben. I have yet to try making this, but it is on my list.
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.
