If you have an extra rotisserie chicken on hand but you're tired of your regular recipe rotation, we've got a list of leftover rotisserie chicken recipes for you to try.
If you're anything like me, you'll grab a rotisserie chicken or two at Costco or the grocery store, even if you don't need it, just so you can use it to prep quick lunches or dinners when you don't have time to make a full meal. I'll also roast a whole chicken in the oven myself sometimes, or pop one in the slow cooker, and shred the chicken to make something else. Honestly, it's such a versatile protein and so easy to make.
The best thing about rotisserie chickens are that you can usually pick one up at Walmart, Sam's Club, Safeway, Food Lion and many more places for under $10. You can feed the family in minutes by pairing it with an easy side. Some stores offer $5 deals or two-for-one days. Keep an eye on your grocery stores circular to see when you can get the best deal.
Best Way To Store Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
Did I mention that it's versatile? When you have a leftover rotisserie chicken you can get to work shredding all the leftovers off the bone. Put the shredded pieces in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days (but you'll use it before then). You can use the shredded chicken to toss into whatever you're making. If you don't plan on using the chicken right away, you can store it in the freezer in an airtight container for up to two months.
Best Ways To Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
If you don't like the skin you can discard those pieces when you throw out the bones. Or! You can make broth. You can do this in a regular pot, or you can make it in an instant pot or slow cooker. Here's the best way to make broth:
- Remove all the meat from the carcass
- Roughly chop some celery, carrots, and onion
- Peel and crush a few garlic cloves
- Add bones, skin (if using), vegetables, garlic, and salt and pepper to a pot (or slow cooker/IP)
- Add enough water to completely cover your chicken and vegetables (12-16 cups), or in the IP fill to the max fill line
- Bring the water to a boil, then turn down and simmer for as long as possible - some people recommend 12-14 hours, but I've done it for as little as 6 and still gotten flavorful broth
- You can reduce the cook time by using an instant pot - cook it on high for 180 minutes using manual release
- If using a crock pot, you can keep it cooking for 24 hours to get supper nutrient rich broth
- Cool and strain the broth to remove the skin, bones, and vegetables then store the broth in mason jars or other airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to a week
- You can also freeze your broth where it will last several months - and if you don't have time to make the broth right away, you can freeze the carcass in an airtight container until you're ready to make it.
In addition to making broth, the actual meat from the chicken is perfect for adding to many different dishes including:
- Tacos, burritos, and quesadillas
- Pasta and mac & cheese
- Sandwiches
- Salads
- Soups and stews
- Wraps
- Enchiladas
- Pizza and flatbread
- Stir frys
- Fried Rice and chow mein
And so much more! Avoid drying out the chicken by adding it to stove-top dishes near the end of the cooking process. If adding it to a casserole or other oven based recipe, the sauce should help it retain moisture. Cream bases and broth bases will keep the chicken from becoming too dry.
Time to get creative with your leftovers! Here's a list of some of the best leftover rotisserie chicken recipes.
Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Recipes
If you're looking for new and creative ways to use this versatile protein, we've got a list of leftover rotisserie chicken recipes for you to try.
Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Shredded Buffalo Chicken Sliders are topped with a creamy, crunchy Blue Cheese Celery Slaw for the ultimate crowd-pleaser (and they took TOP prize in a national contest!)
Corn Casserole with Chicken and Rice
This Corn Casserole with Chicken and Rice is delicious, healthy and easy to make even on a busy weeknight!
Easy Fried Rice {cheap eats}
Don’t throw away that leftover rice! Use it to make this delicious, easy fried rice. So simple you don’t even need a recipe.
Brunswick Stew (Stovetop or Crockpot)
This easy Southern Brunswick Stew recipe is a great way to use leftover meat and it’s on the dinner table in about half an hour!
Keto Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms (Buffalo Chicken & Spinach)
These Keto Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms have just five ingredients and make a wonderful meal.
Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
This hearty rotisserie chicken noodle soup is exceptional. It’s loaded with veggies, juicy bites of chicken, and perfectly cooked noodles in a flavorful broth.
Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken
This Fresh Broccoli Rice Casserole with Chicken is cheesy, hearty and has a ton of flavor and crunch from the buttery cracker topping!
Chicken Cobbler Recipe
Discover a twist on tradition with chicken cobbler – a delicious alternative to the ordinary chicken pot pie. It’s rich, buttery, and oh so filling.
Wild Rice Hotdish
Wild Rice Hotdish without a can in sight. Fresh mushrooms and the easiest “sauce” ever make this the best you’ll ever enjoy!
Chicken, Green Chile and Potato Pie
This delicious recipe for Chicken, Green Chile and Potato Pie will become a family favorite!
Buffalo Chicken & Potato Skillet
This Buffalo Chicken & Potato Skillet is a fun variation to buffalo wings or even a buffalo wing dip. Crispy potatoes topped with shredded chicken, wing sauce, blue cheese, celery & a drizzle of dressing!
Roasted Garlic & Pesto Chicken Flatbread
This flatbread recipe is made with roasted garlic, pesto and shredded chicken for an easy, delicious and fast meal.
Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas
Tender chicken, spicy buffalo sauce and a fried-until-perfectly-crispy shell. These Buffalo Chicken Chimichangas are the ultimate comfort food!
Chicken, Potato & Summer Vegetable Pot Pie
These easy pot pies can be made quickly with convenient pre-prepped ingredients but have the homecooked classic comfort food flavor.
Amazing Chicken Tortilla Soup Recipe with Hatch Chiles
This Chicken Tortilla Soup recipe has the most flavorful broth you will ever try. The trick is pureeing the tomatoes, onions, and garlic for maximum flavor.
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
You already know that Alfredo sauce is creamy, cheesy and rich. Try it in this luscious Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake for a delicious meal!
Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Parmesan
This Pesto Pasta with Chicken and Parmesan has just FOUR ingredients and ONE pan!
Leftover Chicken Potato Bake (Healthy)
A citrusy chicken and potato bake using leftover rotisserie chicken is a perfect dinner that takes only 15 minutes of prep time.
Easy Chicken and Noodles
Shredded rotisserie chicken, thick egg noodles, and a creamy sauce combine to make this a comfort food dish at its best - but without hours in the kitchen.
Easy & Delicious Chicken Chow Mein
Make this chow mein using the rotisserie chicken shortcut - just ski the chicken prep steps and add the shredded chicken at the end right before you add the sauce.
Filipino Macaroni Salad
This macaroni salad is next level! This sweet pasta salad with crunchy vegetables is easy to make and a great make-ahead dish.
Easy Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas
Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas are one of my favorites, and this recipe is flavorful and perfect for a quick dinner.
Rotisserie Chicken Stroganoff
Classic stroganoff gets a twist with shredded leftover rotisserie chicken! This whole dinner comes together in just a few minutes, making it a new staple for busy weeknights.
Rotisserie Chicken Bruschetta Sandwich
This rotisserie chicken bruschetta sandwich is easy and delicious! Topped with easy balsamic aioli, tomato, basil, and cheese.
Tasty Rotisserie Chicken Salad Recipe For Easy Salads & Sandwiches!
If you want a basic chicken salad recipe, give this one a try, then you can dress it up however you want with all the toppings you like to make sandwiches, wraps, and salads.
Simple Spinach Salad with Parmesan Dressing
This is a great salad to make with your leftover rotisserie chicken. Keep the dressing on hand for later too!
Rotisserie Chicken Nachos: an easy family favorite
These leftover rotisserie chicken nachos are perfect for a fun dinner, an appetizer, or a serious snack!
White Chicken Chili
This creamy white chicken chili is made with shredded leftover rotisserie chicken to cut back on cook time, but it definitely doesn't cut back on flavor!
BBQ Chicken Stuffed Baked Potatoes
This fluffy baked potatoes are stuffed with leftover chicken tossed with BBQ sauce and all your favorite toppings!
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Throw these pizzas together in a few minutes with leftover rotisserie chicken, store bought pizza dough, and your favorite BBQ sauce.
Chicken Gnocchi Pasta (ONE Skillet!)
This one pan dinner is easy to make with leftover chicken with a rich, creamy sauce. This will be a new favorite.
Teriyaki Chicken Lettuce Wraps Recipe
These lettuce wraps are perfect for a healthy lunch and are packed with flavor.
Baked Avocado Chicken Burritos
Use your leftover shredded chicken to make these baked avocado chicken burritos that are perfect for a quick and easy lunch or fast weeknight dinner.
Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is an obvious way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, but this recipe is the one you want to use it for! You'll never go back to regular chicken noodle soup.
Quick Chicken Curry
With shredded chicken and just a few other ingredients, you can have this quick chicken curry ready in no time!
Simple Chicken Pho
Make fresh chicken pho with leftover chicken to cut down on prep time, and still end up with a flavorful belly warming bowl of soup.
Rotisserie Chicken Shawarma Pita Wrap
These pita wraps are made easy with your leftover chicken, and they are perfect to take for lunch.
Skillet White Chicken Chili Dip
A cheesy skillet dip that tastes like white chicken chili. You'll blend white beans into the mix to make it healthier, and you can use rotisserie chicken to make things easy! Perfect snack or appetizer!
Easy Mac and Cheese with Rotisserie Chicken
One of the best ways to use up rotisserie chicken is to stir it into some creamy delicious mac and cheese, and this recipe takes you mac game up a notch.
Mini Tex-Mex Chicken and Cheese Pies
Use rotisserie chicken to make these mini chicken pies - they are perfect for grab and go lunches, or a fun weekend meal that the kids will enjoy!
Chicken Tortilla Stack - Damn Delicious
Who needs a quesadilla when you can make this?! These cheesy tortilla stacks are perfect for a quick weeknight dinner using leftover chicken.
Mexican Pizza Recipe
We couldn't not include this homemade version of the Mexican Pizza. So easy to make and so good!
EASY Tinga de Pollo (Chicken Tinga Tacos with Rotisserie Chicken)
Tacos are an obvious go to for using up that leftover chicken, so we're including this one because it will become one of your new favorite taco night recipes.
Veggie Chicken Pitas
For a healthy lunch, use your leftover shredded chicken and some fresh veggies to put together these pita pocket sandwiches.
Mulligatawny Soup
Chicken Mulligatawny Soup is thick, rich and incredibly flavorful. Make with rice or orzo for a pureed base and loads of tender chicken.
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