18 Quick Recipes That Start With Rotisserie Chicken (the Ultimate Dinner Shortcut)

These easy recipes make good use of a pre-cooked bird.

rotisserie chicken with yogurt sauce and herb relish
Photo:

Nico Schinco

A freshly cooked rotisserie chicken can be all you need to get dinner on the table fast. Easily picked up from the grocery store, this nutrient-rich protein serves as an ideal starting point for a number of different recipes. Having rotisserie chicken on hand means there's one less component to cook on busy weeknights, so you can get dinner (or lunch) ready in minutes.

Whether you purchase a small or large bird, there are lots of tasty and intriguing ways to transform the meat into something special. These meal options will have the whole family asking for seconds.

01 of 18

Creamy Leftover-Turkey-and-Rice Soup

Creamy Leftover-Turkey- and-Rice Soup
Johnny Miller

Rotisserie chicken makes a great, easy swap for the turkey in this 25-minute take on the Greek avgolemono soup. Its base is a mix of egg yolks, stock, and lemon juice—a perfect blend of creaminess and brightness. The dish is thickened with cooked rice and shredded chicken (or turkey).

02 of 18

Turmeric-Ginger Chicken Soup

ginger spice chicken soup
Pernille Loof

You can make this immunity-boosting soup in under 20 minutes using store-bought broth and rotisserie chicken. Ginger, garlic, and turmeric give the comforting meal a welcome depth of flavor.

03 of 18

Chicken and Spinach Casserole

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Combine shredded leftover rotisserie chicken with sautéed spinach in a white wine-cream sauce to make this comforting casserole. The topping of torn bread lightly coated in olive oil becomes golden and crisp as it bakes.

04 of 18

Classic Chicken Potpie

Classic Chicken Potpie

Grant Webster

Nothing beats a comforting one-dish meal that's equally speedy and tasty. If you start with store-bought puff pastry and leftover rotisserie chicken, the recipe can be done in a snap, and it's a good way to stretch a small amount of meat into dinner for six.

05 of 18

Classic Chicken Salad

classic chicken salad sandwich
Con Poulos

A classic for a reason. Leftover rotisserie chicken makes the best chicken salad—simply mix it with mayo, mustard, and veggies (we particularly love minced red onion, celery, and parsley for extra crunch). For a healthier version, you can also swap the mayo for Greek yogurt.

06 of 18

Chicken Club Salad

Chicken Salad

Martha Stewart

If a classic chicken salad sandwich isn't for you, try this delicious twist that replaces the bread with crisp lettuce leaves. While you can make it from scratch, it's easier to start with leftover rotisserie chicken mixed with a tangy, creamy dressing, then diced tomatoes, and crumbled bacon on top. All the elements of an ol' Club, minus the extra carbs!

07 of 18

Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole

chicken rice casserole
Yunhee Kim

Just like Grandma used to make! This easy casserole recipe breathes new life into leftover rotisserie chicken and rice with sautéed mushrooms, frozen peas, fresh parsley, a tangy sour-cream sauce, and golden breadcrumbs.

08 of 18

Quick Chicken With Zucchini and Greens

quick-chicken-with-zucchini-and-greens-0615-d107287.jpg
Marcus Nilsson

The simple dish is flavorful and nutrient-rich, not to mention a speedy dinner filled with veggies and proteins. If you ask us, it's also the perfect one-bowl meal for on-the-go moments.

09 of 18

Summery Chicken-and-Rice Soup

summery chicken-and-rice soup
Lennart Weibull

Do you have leftover rotisserie chicken and extra veggies in the fridge? Then, put them to good use in this chicken and rice soup that's packed with flavor and textures. You can literally go for any vegetable you've got handy—in this case, our version has Swiss chard, zucchini, and summer squash.

10 of 18

Half-Hour Chicken Gumbo

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Rotisserie chicken, precooked andouille sausage, and frozen okra are the workarounds that get this stew on the table in 30 minutes. To make the most of your time, bake a batch of cornbread while the gumbo simmers.

11 of 18

White Bean Chicken Chili

med105604_0610_chickpea_pesto.jpg

A hearty, comforting dinner that comes together in just a bit over an hour. Shredded rotisserie chicken and canned cannellini beans—plus two types of chiles and spices—make this Mexican-inspired meal a great option for when you need to feed a crowd on a budget.

12 of 18

English Muffin Pizza Snacks

English muffin pizza snacks

Jason Donnelly

A great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken. This flavor-packed pizza is kid-friendly and customizable—take it to a whole new level by swapping regular pizza sauce for barbeque sauce, then top it with shredded rotisserie chicken and red onions.

13 of 18

Chicken with Couscous and Orange

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Using a supermarket rotisserie chicken and quick-cooking couscous gets this one-pot dinner on the table in a flash. Fresh mint leaves, chopped navel orange, and toasted pistachios lend vibrant flavors to this easy meal.

14 of 18

Chicken and Kale Casserole

Chicken and Kale Casserole
Anna Williams

Kale and lemon zest add a twist to this chicken and pasta casserole, while ricotta and parmesan cheeses make it rich and satisfying.

15 of 18

Lemony Pesto Chicken Soup

lemony pesto chicken soup
Pernille Loof

If you're craving a burst of brightness on a cold day, this is the soup to make. Three tablespoons of lemon juice add a citrusy bite to this quick and easy-to-prepare meal, which is made with primarily store-bought ingredients, including chicken broth, rotisserie chicken, and pesto.

16 of 18

Rotisserie Chicken With Yogurt Sauce and Herb Relish

rotisserie chicken with yogurt sauce and herb relish
Nico Schinco

Paired with a savory yogurt sauce, herb relish, and celery-radish salad, rotisserie chicken becomes the main event in this filling entrée

17 of 18

Green Thai Chicken Soup

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Warm up with this Southeast Asian-inspired chicken soup that's as easy to make as it is to clean up. Store-bought chicken, lemongrass, ginger, and chiles meld together to form the soup's base, while the cilantro gives the finished result an extra layer of flavor.

18 of 18

Easy Chicken Posole

easy chicken posole

Get dinner on the table in just 10 minutes by using store-bought broth and rotisserie chicken to create this flavorful take on posole. After that, it's just stirring in the rest of your ingredients, including canned hominy, salsa, and sherry vinegar.

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