These leftover rotisserie chicken recipes prove you don’t actually have to cook chicken to make an amazing chicken dish! It’s the best ingredient for busy weeknight meals when you need something quick and easy.
Table of Contents
- The Shortcut to Quick Chicken Dinners
- Best Reasons to Make Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
- FAQs
- Best Recipes with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken in 30 Minutes
- Wraps, Burritos, and More
- Salad Recipes Using Rotisserie Chicken
- Casserole Recipes for Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
- Rotisserie Chicken Soup Recipes
- Rotisserie Chicken Pizza Recipes
- Rotisserie Chicken Printable Recipe
- The Full List of Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
The Shortcut to Quick Chicken Dinners
After so many years cooking, there is nothing I love more than learning about a new shortcut that will cut down time in the kitchen. This one may seem obvious, but I can’t sing the praises of using leftover rotisserie chicken enough. It saves cooking time and works really well in any recipe that calls for shredded chicken.
The pre-roasted rotisserie chickens are typically sold in the deli section of the grocery store, and are typically more affordable than buying a raw, whole chicken that still needs to be cooked. The best place to buy them is Costco.
I like to shred the meat and keep it stored in the fridge (or even the freezer!) at the ready if I need a quick easy dinner idea without a lot of work.
You can also opt to use a roasted chicken or make your own shredded chicken if for some reason you can’t find rotisserie or would prefer to do it yourself. Both options work really well in the leftover rotisserie chicken recipes below.
Best Reasons to Make Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
The rotisserie chicken makes a great shortcut, but it is so much more than that. If you are just learning to cook or are low on time, give these recipes a try. Here is why I love to use it.
- Almost foolproof. New cooks don’t need to worry that the chicken is cooked properly with a rotisserie chicken.
- Saves time. You don’t have to take time cooking the chicken, so that means the meal is on the table in less time.
- Builds confidence. Rotisserie chicken gives a new cook (or even a seasoned one) the chance to focus on the other flavors and different ways to bring the dish together.
- Staple ingredient. As I mentioned above, I like to always have a shredded rotisserie on hand (fridge or frozen) in case of a quick meal.
- Endless options. Just look at all the different ways this one ingredient can be transformed into leftover rotisserie chicken recipes: casseroles, quesadillas, soups, pizzas, salads, and so on.
FAQs
When stored properly cooked chicken is good for 3-4 days in the refrigerator. Store in a sealed storage bag or container and it’s a good idea to label it with a date so you know how long it has been there.
If you are reheating your whole chicken, reheating rotisserie chicken in the oven is best. Remove rotisserie chicken from packaging and place in an oven safe dish. Add a cup of chicken broth to the pan and then tent the chicken with foil so it doesn’t dry out. Roast for 25 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Use any of the following recipes with your leftover chicken or for a quick idea top almost any salad recipe with it for an extra boost of protein and flavor.
You could also make a sandwich for lunch, top it on a pizza or add it to pasta recipes.
Best Recipes with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken in 30 Minutes
Since the rotisserie chicken is already cooked, it is a big time saver. These recipes with rotisserie chicken are a great way to have dinner on the table in less time than delivery.
- Creamy Chicken Pasta. Rotisserie chicken is tossed in rich white pasta sauce with sautéed onions and peppers.
- Buffalo Chicken Sliders. These small sandwiches make the perfect party dish or a quick weeknight meal.
- Chicken Salad Croissant. Enjoy this elevated spin on the classic chicken salad sandwich.
- Sheet Pan Nachos. Who doesn’t love nachos, especially when they are so loaded you can eat them as a meal?
- Chicken Crescent Rolls. With a creamy chicken mixture wrapped inside a flaky crescent roll and then rolled in crackers, this dinner will be a new family favorite!
Wraps, Burritos, and More
I always have tortillas or taco shells on hand, so this makes it super easy to create a full meal with just the addition of a leftover rotisserie chicken. Here are a few of my go-to recipes on how to turn these items into a family favorite.
- Chicken Burritos. These come together in a flash and can be customized with whatever you like.
- Chicken Flautas. The creamy and cheesy chicken filling, made in a flash with rotisserie chicken, is rolled and then fried to crispy perfection.
- Sheet Pan Quesadillas. I love this recipe for its ease and endless opportunities to mix flavors.
- Chicken Caesar Wrap. One of my favorite ways to enjoy the classic salad on the go.
- Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos. I like to make a bunch and keep them frozen until I need a quick dinner.
- Chicken Crepes. These incredibly flavorful crepes are a beautiful way to impress any guest.
- BBQ Chicken Tacos. Just 15 minutes to make taco Tuesday a night to remember plus it solves what to make with rotisserie chicken.
Salad Recipes Using Rotisserie Chicken
Salad is so much more than a side, especially when we add rotisserie chicken. These recipes with rotisserie chicken are just a few of my favorite salads that take center stage for lunch or dinner.
- Chicken Pesto Pasta Salad. The beauty of this salad is it can be tailored almost any way you like.
- Asian Chicken Salad. I make this salad when I am in need of something light and refreshing.
- Mango Chicken Quinoa Salad. Thanks to the combination of avocado, mango, and chicken, this salad makes you feel as good as it tastes.
- Shredded Chicken Taco Salad. Rotisserie chicken is tossed with lettuce, black beans, grilled corn, avocado, tomatoes and bell pepper in a salsa ranch dressing.
- Chicken Salad Recipe. A tangy, sweet sauce covers rotisserie chicken, grapes, cashews, and celery. What’s not to love?
Casserole Recipes for Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
Casseroles can be time consuming, but they don’t have to be. I cut down on the time by using a rotisserie chicken and it makes everything just a little bit easier.
- Creamy Chicken Alfredo Lasagna. Less than 20 minutes to prep a lasagna might seem too good to be true, but it’s not.
- Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas. I am not joking when I say that I make this recipe at least once per month (if not more!) by request.
- Mexican Chicken Casserole. The entire dish is done in 30 minutes and makes enough for leftovers the next day. Win win.
- Chicken Enchilada Casserole. This simple recipe only needs 5 ingredients and 30 minutes to bake.
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole. This “all in one” meal can easily be prepared earlier in the day and then baked right before dinner time.
- Buffalo Chicken Dip. Not technically a casserole, but a great appetizer to make any night feel like a party.
Rotisserie Chicken Soup Recipes
There is little as comforting as a warm bowl of soup, and, thanks to rotisserie chicken leftovers, these recipes come together quickly giving you more time to relax and simply enjoy.
- Chicken Taco Soup. Make a bowl of tortilla chips to serve with this soup and thank me later.
- Easy Chicken Gnocchi Soup. The gnocchi in this soup make it super comforting and so hearty.
- Chicken and Corn Chowder. Two of my favorites come together to create a sweet and filling soup.
- Creamy White Lasagna Soup. Imagine if lasagna was deconstructed and turned into a bowl of goodness.
- Chicken and Rice Soup. Add the chicken towards the end. Works great!
Rotisserie Chicken Pizza Recipes
Chicken on pizza may seem a little far out to some, but it just takes one bite to realize that the two were meant to be. You really can customize any pizza dough with your favorite toppings along with shredded rotisserie chicken, but here are a few favorites to get you started.
- Easy BBQ Chicken Pizza. BBQ sauce, shredded chicken, mozzarella, red onion and cilantro come together to create an addictive pizza.
- Healthy Pizza. I always feel good after eating a slice of this topped with fresh veggies, mozzarella, chicken, arugula and a balsamic glaze.
- 15-Minute Mexican Pizza. Warm tortillas are stuffed with refried beans, shredded chicken, and melty cheese. Yum!
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza. Your favorite homemade chicken wings with Buffalo sauce have been transformed into a pizza.
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Rotisserie Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken
Instructions
- On a cutting board, place the chicken, breast-side up, and cut away any twine.
- Remove the skin and discard. Pull all the meat from the breast, legs, and thighs until no meat remains on the body.
- Shred the meat with your hands or in a stand mixer with a paddle attachment on low. You can also opt to cut or dice the meat, depending on the recipe you are making.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
The Full List of Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
Click on the links below to find the recipes for all of the delicious leftover rotisserie chicken recipes mentioned above.
Categorized as: 30 Minute Meals, 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Chicken, Italian, Mexican, Recipe Roundup, Sheet Pan
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Exactly what I was looking for! I buy a rotisserie each week to make life easy as a working mom. I made the chicken pizza and can’t wait to make more!
So many amazing recipe ideas! Thank you for putting these together!
This is such a great resource! The sheet pan quesadillas were easy and amazing, I can’t wait to try more off this list!