Cooking with Rotisserie Chicken (2024)

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Rose Nguyen

"When in doubt, buy a rotisserie chicken."No wiser words have ever been spoken!When you're low on time or cooking willpower, skip a step and use store-bought chicken. In no time at all, you cancreate a quick and easy meal that your family will love. We've got over 70 recipes that take advange of the convenience and flavor of rotisserie chicken, from hearty pizza, to soul-warming soup, to fresh salads.

Rosemary-Brined Rotisserie Chicken

Rosemary-Brined Rotisserie Chicken Recipe

If you're a DIY type of person and have a rotisserie on your grill, make your own rotisserie chicken to use throughout the week. Nothing beats a brined whole chicken that turns slowly on a spit and bastes itself while the skin turns golden brown and delicious.

King Ranch Chicken and Quinoa Casserole

King Ranch Chicken and Quinoa Casserole Recipe

This ain't your mama's chicken casserole. The comfort food classic gets a modern, nutrient-dense makeover with the addition of quinoa. Beyond being warm, cheesy, and generally delightful, this flavor-packed casserole is loaded with protein and is sure to become a new family favorite.

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake

Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake Recipe

Cheese-filled tortellini and a chopped pecan topping add extra flavor to kid-friendly Pasta-Chicken-Broccoli Bake, while broccoli and red bell pepper contribute pops of color throughout this one-dish meal.

Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole Recipe

A traditional creamy chicken casserole can have more than 800 calories per serving! Try our lightened up version that offers great flavor without all the calories.

Avocado-Mango Salsa

White Lightning Chicken Chili Recipe

White Lightning Chicken Chili gets its name because it only takes 30 minutes from start to finish to get this one-dish meal to the table. Don't drain the chopped green chiles or navy beans. Serve chili with cornbread.

Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie

Loaded Chicken-Bacon Pot Pie Recipe

Deli-roasted chicken and puff pastry shortcut time; bacon, white wine, and mustard give the gravy and vegetables savory punch.

Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole image

Chicken Chilaquiles Casserole Recipe

In a pinch and in need of a quick meal that will please everyone? Aone-pan, assemble-and-bake Tex-Mex casserole just might be the answer.It takes just 5 ingredients to make a melty, cheesy, smoky green chile chicken dish. Add rice and black beans for a full on fiesta! Use the breast and leg quarters of a rotisserie chicken and store-bough enchilada sauce for convenience.This super-fast dish is even more delicious served with pico de gallo, guacamole, or even leftover tostadas on top for more crunch. If you can't find tostadas, yellow corn tortilla chips will also work.

Chicken & Veggie Hash

Try this hash combining roasted potatoes, chicken, bell peppers, onion, and Parmesan cheese for a delicious one-dish dinner.

Lemon and Dill Quinoa Chicken Soup image

Lemon and Dill Quinoa Chicken Soup Recipe

Quinoa cooks right in the soup without soaking up too much liquid. If you'd like to change to a heartier grain like farro or barley, cook it separately, and stir in during the last 5 minutes of simmering to reheat. Use any combination of delicate green vegetables, such as snow peas, spinach, frozen green peas, or edamame. Stir in a couple of teaspoons of fresh lemon juice for an extra dose of brightness just before serving.

Chicken and Herbed Cornmeal Dumplings image

Chicken and Herbed Cornmeal Dumplings Recipe

Southwestern Chopped Salad image

Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad Recipe

Every bite of this salad is a delightful mix of flavors and textures, but the homemade baked tortilla chips on top steal the show. They're light, crunchy, and spiced with cumin; you'll never crave a traditional crouton again.

Chicken Verde Tacos

Chicken Verde Tacos Recipe

We like a warm taco filling, but if you're going for something a little cooler and more refreshing, skip step 1 and drizzle the salsa over assembled tacos.

Chicken and Fontina Panini

Chicken and Fontina Panini Recipe

Crusty on the outside, gooey on the inside, this sandwich requires little effort and makes a satisfying lunch or light dinner.

Onion, Kale, Chickpea, and Chicken Soup

Onion, Kale, Chickpea, and Chicken Soup Recipe

Few things beat a steaming bowl of veggie-packed chicken soup on a crisp autumn evening, and this one happens to be a perfect potion for the seasonal chills. You can leave the thyme sprigs in the broth (just ladle around them) so they'll keep releasing herbaceous goodness into any leftovers.

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce

Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with White Barbecue Sauce Recipe

White Barbecue Sauce, widely used in Alabama-style barbecue, is known for its vinegary taste and its use of mayonnaise as its base, rather than the usual tomato sauce. To make the sauce ahead of time, combine all the ingredients, store it in the refrigerator, and bring it to room temperature before serving.

Chicken-Poblano Tortilla Soup

Chicken-Poblano Tortilla Soup Recipe

Chilly evenings call for a comforting soup with a bit of restorative kick and plenty of vibrant toppings. Top with tortilla chips, or make your own crispy tortilla strips as shown: Cut 4 (6-inch) corn tortillas into 1/2-inch strips and bake at 375°F for 10 minutes. Crush half the strips for the soup and garnish with the rest. Make these ahead and store in a ziplock bag at room temperature for a day or two. Poblano peppers range in heat; add cooling avocado or crushed red pepper as needed.

Shredded Chicken and Avocado Nacho Salad

Shredded Chicken and Avocado Nacho Salad Recipe

Dinner doesn't get any easier than this five-ingredient salad. And it's bursting with Super Bowl Sunday potential.

Warm Chicken and Sautéed Mushroom Salad

Warm Chicken and Sautéed Mushroom Salad Recipe

"My family loves salads for weeknight dinners," says reader Marilyn Ritchie. Inspired by a recipe for warm mushroom dressing, Ritchie added chicken, goat cheese, and extra balsamic vinegar to come up with this luxurious main dish. When she wants to splurge, she uses shiitakes.

Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza Recipe

Try this quick, playful spin to turn pizza night on its head—in a good way. You get all the creamy goodness of chicken potpie, in a fun, eat-with-your-hands way that kids will love. Grown-ups will dig it, too, especially if you offer hot sauce at the table. Cooking the pizza in a preheated cast-iron skillet makes the crust wonderfully crispy so that it doesn’t sog out when the creamy sauce goes on. Be sure to use only 10 ounces of dough (though you’ll likely have to purchase in a 1-pound or larger ball); save the remaining dough to make breadsticks the next night.

Broccoli Cheddar and Ranch Chicken Calzones

Broccoli, Cheddar, and Ranch Chicken Calzones Recipe

Why order delivery, when you can make pizza at home? Put down that phone right now and bake up a mouthwatering, cheesy broccoli and ranch calzones tonight.

Broccoli Salad with Cider Dressing

Green Goddess Chicken Salad Recipe

It's important to thinly slice the kale, otherwise it'll lead to a tough-to-chew salad. An easy way to do thisis by stacking a few of the de-stemmed leaves on top of one other, rolling them into a cylinder, and thinly slicing the leaves. If you feel inclined to roast your own chickens, substitute those for the rotisserie ones called for.Serve leftovers on croissants, in collard green wraps, with garlic toast or crackers,or on their own.

Grilled Pesto Pizza with Chicken, Mozzarella, and Ricotta

Grilled Pesto Pizza with Chicken, Mozzarella, and Ricotta Recipe

Chicken Pesto Grilled Portobello Mushrooms

Chicken Pesto Grilled Portobello Mushrooms Recipe

Not only is this loaded fork-and-knife entrée easy and cheesy, it's customizable, too. Make it your own with any produce or herbs you already have in your fridge. If you have the time, you could make your own pesto.

Family-Style Chicken Spaghetti

Family-Style Chicken Spaghetti Recipe

A family favorite swaps jarred sauce for fresh--which requires just a few ingredients and less than 10 minutes.

Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Chicken Cordon Bleu Grilled Cheese Sandwiches Recipe

The flavors of classic cordon bleu translate delectably as a raveworthy grilled cheese. Serve with a side of wilted spinach or a salad.

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pizza Recipe

The prebaked Italian pizza crust and deli-roasted whole chicken make this buffalo chicken pizza meal a quick and easy choice for weeknights.

Lemony Orzo-Veggie Salad with Chicken

Lemony Orzo-Veggie Salad with Chicken Recipe

This colorful orzo and chicken main dish salad is packed with an assortment of chopped fresh vegetables and tossed with a tangy lemon dressing. It's a great use for leftover or rotisserie chicken.

Spicy-Sweet Chicken Lettuce Cups

Spicy-Sweet Chicken Lettuce Cups Recipe

Fresh and crunchy, these lettuce wraps come together in a flash when you use pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. A quick vinegar soak keeps the chicken moist and intensely flavorful in this light dish.

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya

Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya Recipe

Jambalaya is a classic Creole dish that combines rice with a variety of other ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, peppers and some type of meat or shellfish. This easy one-dish meals features both smoked sausage and shredded rotisserie chicken.

Green Salad with Chicken and Pink Grapefruit

Green Salad with Chicken and Pink Grapefruit Recipe

This colorful one-dish dinner salad is great with either grapefruit or oranges and is a great way to use either rotisserie or leftover chicken.

Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas

Quick BBQ Chicken Pizzas Recipe

Weighing in at less than 350 calories per serving, this quick twist on BBQ chicken pizza is one you need to add to your repertoire. Hint: Baking the pizzas directly on the oven rack gives you a crisp crust in less time

Tex-Mex Chicken Chili with Lime

Tex-Mex Chicken Chili with Lime Recipe

This hearty chili is ideal for serving company, especially when you set out a DIY toppings bar. Store-bought rotisserie chicken shortcuts the cook time, while white ale adds spice, body, and flavor.

Pappardelle with Chicken and Winter Greens

Pappardelle with Chicken and Winter Greens Recipe

This bright-tasting pasta makes good use of radicchio and chard, two sturdy greens that are packed with vitamins and flavor. This cozy meal is ideal for serving on chilly nights.

Fettuccine with Chicken and Squash

Fettuccine with Chicken and Squash Recipe

Incorporate more vegetables into your weeknight menu with this fabulous pasta dish—a variation on a favorite Italian classic.

Asian Chicken Slaw

Asian Chicken Slaw Recipe

Whether you eat this cool and delicious dish on its own or loaded into a wrap, it's guaranteed to satisfy an appetite of any size. Combine the ingredients of the slaw with the homemade dressing and top with slivered almonds and sesame seeds before serving. Toast the almonds and seeds if you like, or skip that step to keep the recipe completely no-cook.

Caprese Wraps with Chicken

Caprese Wraps with Chicken Recipe

Turn a Caprese salad of tomato, mozzarella and basil into a sandwich by combining the salad ingredients with rotisserie chicken and wrapping up in flatbread.

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Creating authentic barbecue at home requires a smoker and about eight hours. Shortcut that routine without missing a beat of flavor by combining shredded chicken, barbecue sauce, and jalapenos and serving the delicious mixture on hamburger buns.

Chicken and Dill Souvlaki

Chicken and Dill Souvlaki Recipe

Souvlaki is a street food favorite in Greece, where it is typically served with pita and a savory yogurt sauce. This super simple version is great for busy weeknights or lunch on the go.

Cilantro-Chicken Sandwiches

Cilantro-Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Make a super stacker for dinner by topping French bread, drizzled with a homemade cilantro-olive oil dressing, with grilled vegetables, rotisserie chicken, and freshly sliced tomatoes. The cilantro oil adds bold flavor, cutting out the need for other condiments.

Chicken and Apple Salad with Orange-Mustard Vinaigrette

Chicken and Apple Salad with Orange-Mustard Vinaigrette Recipe

Arrange greens on four dinner plates. Drizzle with reserved 1/4 cup vinaigrette and top with chicken. Sprinkle with nuts and serve.

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Pickle Juice Slaw

BBQ Chicken Sandwiches with Pickle Juice Slaw Recipe

Chicken and Guacamole Tostadas

Chicken and Guacamole Tostadas Recipe

Smoked paprika gives these chicken tostadas rich, grill-like flavor with no cooking. Serve with lime wedges for authentic Mexican flair.

Chicken Verde Enchiladas

Chicken Verde Enchiladas Recipe

Everyone will love these speedy enchiladas, ready in just 25 minutes. Rotisserie chicken joins salsa verde, tomatoes, sour cream and avocado in a saucy tortilla filling, which is then covered with cheese and baked. Delicious!

Quick Chicken and Dumplings

Quick Chicken and Dumplings Recipe

Chicken and dumplings are a Southern staple. This quick-and-easy version makes use of rotisserie chicken, frozen boxed veggies, and canned chicken broth. Dinner's on the table in just 20 minutes!

Crisp-Crust Chicken Potpie

Crisp-Crust Chicken Potpie Recipe

Turn to rotisserie chicken and frozen puff pastry dough to shave time from this deconstructed version of a comfort classic. Cooking the crust separately keeps it crisp and crunchy.

Melon Chicken Salad

Melon Chicken Salad Recipe

Invigorate your taste buds with a recipe that speaks to their every desire. The combination of sweet honey, salty soy sauce, tart vinegar, bitter daikon radish, and savory chicken make this inspired dish one for the repeat recipe file. If you want a truly no-cook dinner, skip toasting the nuts and simply add them to the dish straight from the package.

Peanut Chicken Noodle Soup

Peanut Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

If you can't find udon, substitute 6 ounces uncooked spaghetti.

Spicy Chicken Quesadillas

Spicy Chicken Quesadillas Recipe

Quesadillas are a fan favorite, no matter what age. These are stuffed with rotisserie chicken, corn, black beans, Monterey Jack cheese, and pickled jalapeño peppers. To make these quesadillas kid-friendly, simply omit the jalapeños.

Chicken, Arugula, and Radish Pizza

Chicken, Arugula, and Radish Pizza Recipe

If you don't have white wine vinegar on hand, substitute red wine vinegar or champagne vinegar.

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches

Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Good barbecue chicken sandwiches don't have to result from hours over the grill. Our chicken sandwich starts with a rotisserie chicken and super easy homemade barbecue sauce. This sandwich is the perfect solution for those busy weeknights.

Roasted Chicken and Arugula Salad

Roasted Chicken and Arugula Salad Recipe

Save time by using store-bought croutons in this recipe, which reduces it to seven-ingredient recipe that's ready in just the time it takes to chop the chicken and toss the salad. Top with grated Parmesan cheese for a bright bite of flavor.

Grilled Corn, Chicken, and Bell Pepper Salad

Grilled Corn, Chicken, and Bell Pepper Salad Recipe

This summery salad gets its gorgeous colors from a mix of grilled fresh veggies. A slightly spicy, creamy dressing glues everything together, making this one salad you'll want to keep eating again and again.

Black Bean and Chicken Casserole

Black Bean and Chicken Casserole Recipe

This simple, protein-packed casserole uses a slow cooker, canned beans and rotisserie chicken to make a super-convenient family meal.

Chicken Salad with Orange-Pistachio Vinaigrette

Chicken Salad with Orange-Pistachio Vinaigrette Recipe

This speedy salad requires absolutely no cooking at all, thanks to rotisserie chicken and a package of precooked quinoa and brown rice. A bright, nutty vinaigrette ties it all together in a simple yet elegant fashion.

Peanut-Sauced Chicken Pitas

Peanut-Sauced Chicken Pitas Recipe

Here's a tasty way to use up leftover roast chicken. Dark meat stands up to the intense flavors in the dressing. For a change, try using a wrap or naan instead of a pita.

Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups

Chicken Salad in Lettuce Cups Recipe

Rotisserie chicken is a great time-saver on busy evenings. Freeze any extra meat in portion sizes, and use in future recipes.

Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad

Creamy Blueberry Chicken Salad Recipe

Red onion and celery add crunch to this quick chicken salad. Blueberries have thick skins, so they won't break apart when tossed with the chicken.

Chicken and Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers

Chicken and Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

Update the classic stuffed bell pepper recipe with a tangy chicken, couscous, and goat cheese salad, instead of the traditional ground beef and rice.

Philly Chicken Sandwiches

Philly Chicken Sandwiches Recipe

Sandwiches don't have to be boring! These Philly-style sammies feature shredded rotisserie chicken, provolone cheese, and sauteed onion and red bell pepper on whole-grain buns.

Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos

Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos Recipe

These skillet-grilled burritos come together in a flash thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken. Keep this meal light by serving with a fresh green salad.

Curried Chicken Salad

Curried Chicken Salad Recipe

Chicken salad is a classic no-cook recipe perfect anytime of year. Swap your usual recipe for this spicy-sweet version flavored with fresh fruit, curry powder, and a hint of honey. Serve on a baguette or with whole-grain crackers for a refreshing–and fast–meal.

Southwestern Chicken Soup

Southwestern Chicken Soup Recipe

Use rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken in this easy Southwestern-flavored chicken soup. Would you believe it requires just 15 minutes from stovetop to table?

Chicken Taco Salad

Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

Taco salad has remained a restaurant favorite for years. While this version ditches the fried tortilla shell, it is still delightfully satisfying. Using rotisserie chicken helps you pull this convenient, healthy dish together in a flash.

Ginger Chicken Soup with Vegetables

Ginger Chicken Soup with Vegetables Recipe

Avocado, lime and cilantro give this chicken and rice soup its Mexican flair. It makes about 8 servings and is great for when you're having a crowd, but don't want to be in the kitchen for hours.

Rotisserie Chicken Tostadas

Rotisserie Chicken Tostadas Recipe

Tostadas are basically flat tacos piled high with tasty toppings. This recipe calls for rotisserie chicken, refried beans, cheese, tomatoes and avocados, but feel free to customize it with your favorite taco toppers.

Rotisserie Chicken with Peaches, Walnuts, and Basil

Rotisserie Chicken with Peaches, Walnuts, and Basil Recipe

In 15 minutes you can transform rotisserie chicken into dinner by topping chicken quarters with a mixture of fresh peaches, peach jam, basil, feta cheese and glazed walnuts.

Chicken Salad in Radicchio Cups

Chicken Salad in Radicchio Cups Recipe

Combine shredded rotisserie chicken with shredded carrot and sliced scallions, then mix with a light Dijon mustard vinaigrette for a tangy, colorful salad. Serving it in radicchio leaves makes a beautiful presentation.

Chicken and Peaches Platter

Chicken and Peaches Platter Recipe

This no-cook meal is perfect for an al fresco lunch or supper. A simple yet well-rounded platter of precooked rotisserie chicken, fresh peaches, blue cheese and almonds will have you wishing that summer would never end.

Greek-Style Chicken Wraps

Greek-Style Chicken Wraps Recipe

Look for plain rotisserie chicken in the deli section of your supermarket. Use the lean, mild breast meat for pastas and sandwiches, and the leg and thigh meat for more robust salads, soups, or tacos.

Spicy Asian-Chicken-Salad Lettuce Cups

Spicy Asian-Chicken-Salad Lettuce Cups Recipe

Reinvent chicken salad by combining shredded rotisserie chicken with chile sauce, sesame oil, water chestnuts and avocado, and serving in crisp lettuce cups.

Chicken and Glass Noodle Salad

Chicken and Glass Noodle Salad Recipe

Cellophane noodles cook quickly when submerged in hot tap water, making them a perfect base for this dish. Fresh, crunchy veggies brighten the dish, while Asian ingredients bring flavor and spice.

Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Chicken and Strawberry Salad Recipe

Pair this simple, no-cook meal with toasted buttery baguette slices.