25 Things to Do With Rotisserie Chicken

A rotisserie chicken is a busy cook's best friend. Whether you get yours from the farmers market or from your local grocery store, nothing beats being able to have dinner on the table in about five minutes. When simple roast chicken gets boring, you can save time by using the precooked chicken in various recipes. Read on for a big list of recipes. (See also: 5 Awesome, Easy-to-Freeze Meals)

1. Enchiladas

Cottage cheese lightens up these chicken enchiladas and gives them extra flavor. They feed a crowd and are sure to become a new favorite.

2. Chicken and Wild Rice Salad

This simple chicken and wild rice salad is easy and nutritious, with almonds for crunch and grapes for extra sweetness. 

3. Pho

The classic Vietnamese rice noodle soup, chicken pho, is super easy to make with pre-cooked chicken and canned chicken broth.

4. Fried Rice

Use up leftover chicken and vegetables in this simple chicken fried rice dish.

5. Chicken Pasta

A quick pasta dish is a lifesaver for busy families everywhere. Steam some vegetables and combine them with cooked chicken, pasta, and your favorite jarred pesto or pasta sauce.

6. Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Make a delicious sandwich for lunch the next day with this chicken salad flavored with tarragon. 

7. Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Simmer leftover vegetables, rotisserie chicken, and chicken stock together for a quick and satisfying chicken soup. Throw some noodles in for extra heartiness.

8. Pasta Salad

Chicken pasta salad is an easy dish for potlucks and picnics. Mix cooked chicken and raw vegetables with cooked pasta, and add vinaigrette or other salad dressing.

9. Chicken and Apple Quesadillas

Kids love quesadillas, especially when apples add a bit of sweetness and crunch to these apple chicken quesadillas.

10. Hawaiian Chicken and Pineapple Sandwich

Make a quick version of this grilled chicken and pineapple sandwich by subbing shredded rotisserie chicken for the grilled chicken. Doused in teriyaki sauce and served with a juicy slice of pineapple, this Hawaiian chicken sandwich is sure to please.

11. Chicken, Jicama, and Mango Salad

Lean chicken can be an excellent part of a low-fat diet. Try this naturally low-fat chicken and jicama salad that is as delicious as it is healthy.

12. Chicken and White Bean Chili

Lighten up a classic chili by making it with chicken and white beans instead of the usual ground beef.

13. Pot Pie

There are few things as comforting as a hearty chicken pot pie, which is easy to make when you've got pre-cooked chicken. 

14. Chicken à la King

Chicken à la King is smothered with creamy sherry-laced sauce and mushrooms and served over a slice of toast. 

15. Chicken Tetrazzini

Rotisserie chicken and store-bought alfredo sauce are two shortcuts that make this chicken tetrazzini ready in a flash.

16. Cobb Salad

Keep things fresh with a chicken cobb salad, a perfect entree salad that is healthy and satisfying.

17. Chicken Curry

Yes, chicken curry, usually a recipe that requires several steps, can be quick and simple when you have pre-cooked chicken. Serve this savory yellow curry over steamed rice. 

18. Sesame Noodle Salad

This classic Asian noodle salad combines shredded chicken, cold sesame noodles, and a delicious peanut sauce for a unique twist on pasta salad.

19. Empanadas

These chicken empanadas look impressive, but they’re surprisingly easy to make with rotisserie chicken and store-bought pastry dough.

20. Chicken Tortilla Soup

There’s nothing like a hot bowl of comforting, spicy chicken tortilla soup on a rainy day.

21. BBQ Chicken Pizza

Dress up some store-bought pizza dough with barbecue sauce, shredded chicken, and your choice of toppings.

22. Chicken Caesar Wraps

Throw cooked chicken, romaine lettuce, and a drizzle of low-fat Caesar dressing into a flour tortilla or wrap for a quick and healthy lunch.

23. Curried Chicken Salad

Classic sweet and spicy curry chicken salad is perfect when stuffed into a pita with some shredded lettuce.

24. Chicken Lettuce Wraps

These savory chicken lettuce wraps are a great way to avoid carbs, especially when topped with P.F. Chang’s “special sauce.”

25. Chicken Stock

When the meat is gone from your rotisserie chicken, try using the leftover bones for stock. Simmer the chicken carcass with about five quarts of water and carrots, onions, leeks, parsnips, celery, or whatever vegetables you have lying around, along with a couple of bay leaves for about two hours. Freeze the stock for later, or use immediately.

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