When it comes to cooking dinner, it can be tough to come up with new ideas. We often find ourselves stuck in a rut, repeating the same meals over and over again.
But what if I told you that rotisserie chicken could be your dinner savior? That’s right, that convenient and delicious pre-cooked chicken you can find at your local grocery store is the perfect ingredient for a variety of easy and tasty meals.
Here are 38 ideas that will have you putting that rotisserie chicken to good use.
38 Easy Dinner Ideas Using Rotisserie Chicken
1. Rotisserie Chicken Enchiladas
Shred the chicken and mix it with enchilada sauce. Lay a tortilla flat, add the chicken mixture, and roll it up. Place in a baking dish, cover with more enchilada sauce and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until melted and bubbly.
2. BBQ Rotisserie Chicken Pizza
Top a pre-made pizza crust with BBQ sauce, chicken, mozzarella cheese, and any other toppings you desire (such as sliced red onions and cilantro). Bake in the oven until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted.
3. Chicken Caesar Salad
Cut up the chicken into small pieces and add it to a bowl of romaine lettuce. Toss with Caesar dressing, croutons, and Parmesan cheese.
4. Chicken Quesadillas
Layer shredded chicken, shredded cheese, and any other toppings you like (such as sliced jalapeños or diced tomatoes) between two tortillas. Cook in a pan until the cheese is melted and tortillas are crispy.
5. Rotisserie Chicken Fried Rice
Heat up cooked rice in a skillet, then add in shredded chicken, peas, carrots, onions, and soy sauce. Fry it all up together until everything is heated through and beginning to crisp.
6. Rotisserie Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Shred the chicken and heat it up with Alfredo sauce in a saucepan. Cook your pasta according to its instructions, then add it to the sauce. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
7. Rotisserie Chicken Tacos
Shred the chicken and add it to a tortilla. Top with your favorite taco toppings, like salsa, cheese, lettuce, and sour cream.
8. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Layer cooked rice and shredded chicken in a baking dish. Pour a can of cream of chicken soup over the top, sprinkle with cheese, and bake in the oven until bubbly.
9. Chicken Stir-Fry
Chicken Stir-Fry is a fast and flavorful dish that involves quickly cooking bite-sized chicken pieces with assorted vegetables in a wok or skillet.
With a savory blend of soy sauce, ginger, and garlic, this dish offers a delightful harmony of textures and tastes, making it a popular choice for a quick and satisfying meal.
10. Chicken Fajitas
Slice the chicken into strips and cook with sliced bell peppers and onions. Serve with tortillas and any desired toppings, such as guacamole and sour cream.
11. Chicken Salad
Combine shredded chicken with mayonnaise, diced celery and onion, and some salt and pepper. Spread onto bread or a roll of your choice.
12. Buffalo Chicken Wrap
Cut up the chicken into small pieces and mix with buffalo sauce. Roll up with lettuce, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing in a wrap.
13. Chicken Pot Pie
Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces and combine with mixed vegetables in a pie dish. Pour a gravy mixture over the top and cover with pie crust. Bake in the oven until the crust is golden brown.
14. Chicken Parmesan Casserole
A symphony of creamy ricotta, cheesy mozzarella, tangy marinara, and tender chicken, all baked to perfection in a cozy casserole dish. It’s comfort food at its finest, perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
15. White Chicken Chili
White chicken chili is a flavorful twist on the classic chili, featuring tender chunks of chicken, creamy white beans, and a zesty kick of spices like cumin and chili powder.
It’s a comforting dish that’s both hearty and satisfying, perfect for cozy nights or gatherings with friends.
16. Chicken Noodle Soup
Boil the chicken carcass in water with onion and celery to make a homemade broth. Shred the remaining chicken, add it to the soup along with egg noodles, and cook until noodles are done.
17. BBQ Chicken Salad
Combine shredded chicken with BBQ sauce and place it onto a bed of lettuce. Top with corn, black beans, and cheese.
18. Chicken Fried Rice Bowls
Layer brown rice, shredded chicken, and stir-fry vegetables (such as carrots, onions, and bell peppers) in a bowl. Drizzle with soy sauce and serve.
19. Chicken with Pesto Pasta
Shred the chicken and toss it with cooked pasta and pesto sauce. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
20. Creamy White Chicken Lasagna
Creamy white chicken lasagna is a dish of pure comfort food heaven. Imagine layers of tender lasagna noodles nestled between creamy béchamel sauce, shredded chicken, and pockets of ricotta cheese.
Each bite bursts with richness, savory flavors, and that melt-in-your-mouth goodness that only lasagna can provide.
21. Chicken and Dumplings
Cook the chicken in a broth with onion and celery until tender. Shred the chicken and add it back to the broth with diced carrots and celery. Add in dumplings and cook until they are fluffy and cooked through.
22. Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash
Dice the rotisserie chicken and combine it with sautéed sweet potatoes, onions, and bell peppers for a hearty and flavorful hash.
23. Chicken and Spinach Stuffed Shells
Stuff jumbo pasta shells with a mixture of rotisserie chicken, spinach, and cheese, then bake them with marinara sauce.
24. Chicken Burrito Bowl
Create a DIY burrito bowl with shredded rotisserie chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and your favorite toppings like guacamole, salsa, and sour cream.
25. Chicken Gumbo
Make a comforting gumbo with shredded rotisserie chicken, sausage, okra, and a flavorful roux-based broth.
26. Chicken Pesto Pizza
Top a pre-made pizza crust with pesto sauce, rotisserie chicken, mozzarella cheese, and fresh basil leaves. Bake until the crust is crispy and cheese is bubbly.
27. Chicken and Mushroom Risotto
Cook a creamy risotto by combining shredded rotisserie chicken with sautéed mushrooms and Arborio rice.
28. Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Layer cooked pasta, shredded rotisserie chicken, broccoli florets, and a cheesy sauce in a casserole dish. Bake until it’s hot and bubbly.
29. Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry
Prepare a quick and flavorful stir-fry with rotisserie chicken, assorted vegetables, and a sweet and savory teriyaki sauce. Serve it over rice.
30. Chicken Avocado Salad
Mix rotisserie chicken with fresh greens, cherry tomatoes, creamy avocado, and your choice of dressing for a healthy and satisfying salad.
31. Chicken and Rice Soup
Make a comforting soup with shredded rotisserie chicken, rice, and a variety of vegetables in a savory broth.
32. Chicken and Sausage Jambalaya
Enjoy the flavors of Louisiana with shredded rotisserie chicken, andouille sausage, rice, and a blend of Creole spices.
33. Chicken Tetrazzini
Bake a classic casserole using shredded rotisserie chicken, pasta, vegetables, and a creamy sauce.
34. Chicken Shawarma
Slice the rotisserie chicken and serve it in warm pita bread with tahini sauce, vegetables, and a sprinkle of sumac for a Middle Eastern-inspired dish.
35. Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
Create cheesy quesadillas with shredded rotisserie chicken, peppers, and onions. Serve them with salsa and sour cream.
36. Chicken and Artichoke Dip
Mix shredded rotisserie chicken with cream cheese, artichoke hearts, and cheese to make a delicious dip. Serve it with tortilla chips or bread.
37. Chicken Tikka Masala
Enjoy tender pieces of rotisserie chicken in a rich tomato-based curry sauce with aromatic Indian spices. Serve it with rice or naan bread.
38. Chicken BLT Salad
Combine rotisserie chicken with crispy bacon, lettuce, tomato, and your choice of dressing for a hearty salad.
Final Thoughts,
As you can see, the possibilities for using rotisserie chicken for dinner are nearly endless. This versatile ingredient can be transformed into a variety of dinners using just a few other ingredients.
So next time you’re at the grocery store, grab a rotisserie chicken to have on standby for a quick and easy dinner.
