10+ Rotisserie Chicken Recipes Leftover Ideas for Easy and Tasty Meals
Leftover rotisserie chicken can be a real time saver when you want to make quick meals. It’s already cooked and full of flavor, so you don’t have to start from scratch.
Using leftover rotisserie chicken lets you create tasty dishes with little effort and a lot of variety.
You can easily turn your leftovers into salads, soups, sandwiches, or pasta dishes. Your whole family will enjoy these options.
Knowing how to use what’s already in your fridge helps reduce food waste. It also saves you money.
Ingredients
- Leftover rotisserie chicken
- Basic pantry staples like olive oil, garlic, herbs, salt, and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Shred or chop the leftover chicken as needed.
- Gather other ingredients based on the dish you want to make.
- Follow your recipe steps to combine and cook ingredients.
- Serve warm or cold, depending on the meal.
1) Rotisserie Chicken Salad with Mixed Greens and Herbs
This rotisserie chicken salad is a fresh way to use leftover chicken. Mix shredded or chopped chicken with baby arugula, scallions, and chopped cilantro.
The fresh herbs add bright flavor and a nice contrast to the tender chicken. Toss everything in a light dressing made with lemon juice and olive oil.
This keeps the salad simple and healthy. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or an easy dinner.
Serve the salad with a side of crusty bread or wrap it for a fast meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 2 handfuls baby arugula
- 1/2 cup sliced scallions
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Combine chicken, arugula, scallions, and cilantro in a large bowl.
- Whisk lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
- Pour dressing over salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately or chill for 15 minutes before serving.
2) Spicy Asian-Style Chicken Stir-Fry
Turn leftover rotisserie chicken into a quick and flavorful spicy Asian-style stir-fry. Heat oil in a pan and add chopped garlic and onions.
Toss in your chicken, sliced bell peppers, and green beans for crunch. Add a spicy honey sesame sauce made from honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes.
Stir everything well so the chicken soaks up the sauce. Serve it over rice or noodles for a complete dinner.
Ingredients
- Leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1 cup green beans, trimmed
- 1 bell pepper, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, sliced
- 2 tbsp honey
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 2 tbsp oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (350°F/175°C).
- Add garlic and onion; cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
- Toss in green beans and bell pepper; stir-fry for 3-4 minutes.
- Add shredded chicken and stir.
- Mix honey, soy sauce, and chili flakes; pour over chicken and veggies.
- Stir and cook for 2-3 minutes until heated through and saucy.
- Serve hot with rice or noodles.
Check this recipe for a similar hot honey sesame rotisserie chicken stir fry.
3) Rotisserie Chicken Pasta with Garlic, Herb, and Olive Oil
This pasta dish is a great way to use leftover rotisserie chicken. It comes together quickly and tastes fresh with garlic, herbs, and olive oil.
Cook your favorite pasta until tender. Sauté garlic and herbs in olive oil to make a simple, flavorful sauce.
Toss the shredded chicken and pasta in the garlic herb oil. Add some grated cheese or a squeeze of lemon for extra flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 8 oz pasta (any kind)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs (like basil or oregano)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: grated Parmesan, lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Add minced garlic and dried herbs; cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Stir in shredded chicken, cook until heated through.
- Toss pasta with chicken mixture.
- Season with salt and pepper. Add cheese or lemon if you like.
- Serve warm.
4) Chicken and Black Bean Burrito Bowls
Turn leftover rotisserie chicken into a tasty chicken and black bean burrito bowl. This meal is quick and healthy.
It uses black beans for protein and rice for filling carbs. Add your favorite toppings like salsa, avocado, or cheese.
Cooking the rice with spices gives the bowl a nice Mexican flavor. The chicken adds a savory touch without extra effort.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1/2 avocado, sliced
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a pan on medium.
- Add black beans, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
- Stir in shredded chicken and salsa. Warm for 5 minutes.
- Place cooked rice in a bowl.
- Top rice with chicken and beans mixture.
- Add avocado slices and cheese on top. Serve warm.
You can adjust spices or toppings to suit your taste.
For more ideas, see Chicken and Black Bean Burrito Bowl.
5) Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas
Buffalo chicken quesadillas are a spicy and cheesy way to use leftover rotisserie chicken. Mix shredded chicken with buffalo sauce and ranch dressing for a creamy, tangy flavor.
Add plenty of cheese and grill the quesadilla until it’s crispy and melty. Use any type of cheese you like, but cheddar or mozzarella work great.
Serve with blue cheese dip or extra ranch for dipping. This recipe is quick, taking about 15 to 30 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/4 cup buffalo sauce
- 1/4 cup ranch dressing
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 4 flour tortillas
- Butter or oil for cooking
Cooking Instructions
- Mix shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, and ranch dressing in a bowl.
- Heat a pan over medium heat and add butter or oil.
- Place one tortilla in the pan, spread chicken mixture evenly, then sprinkle cheese on top.
- Cover with another tortilla.
- Cook 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown and cheese melts.
- Cut into wedges and serve warm.
For more details, see these buffalo chicken quesadillas recipes.
6) Rotisserie Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Turn leftover rotisserie chicken into a comforting chicken and broccoli casserole. It’s simple to make and uses basic ingredients like cheese, rice, and broccoli.
The dish is creamy and filling, perfect for an easy weeknight meal. The broccoli adds a nice crunch and color.
Mix everything in one dish and bake it until bubbly and golden on top.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 2 cups broccoli florets, steamed
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup cream of chicken soup
- ½ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons butter
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix chicken, broccoli, rice, cheese, soup, milk, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Pour mixture into a greased baking dish.
- Dot the top with butter.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until hot and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
7) Chicken Tortilla Soup
Make a quick and tasty soup using leftover rotisserie chicken. This Chicken Tortilla Soup is full of vegetables, beans, and shredded chicken.
The soup cooks fast, about 20 minutes, so it’s perfect for busy nights. Top it with crispy tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado for extra flavor and texture.
This recipe is easy to customize with what you have on hand. Use fresh or leftover ingredients to make it your own.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado for topping
Cooking Instructions
- Heat a large pot over medium heat and sauté onion and garlic until soft.
- Add chili powder and cumin, stirring for 1 minute.
- Pour in chicken broth, tomatoes, corn, and black beans.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
- Stir in shredded chicken and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Serve with tortilla strips, cheese, and avocado on top.
8) Mediterranean Chicken Flatbread with Hummus and Artichokes
This flatbread is a quick and tasty way to use leftover rotisserie chicken. Spread a layer of creamy hummus on the flatbread, then add shredded chicken and marinated artichokes on top.
Add fresh veggies like cucumbers or tomatoes for crunch and brightness. Bake the flatbread until the edges turn golden and the toppings warm up.
Serve it with a simple green salad. Enjoy it for a light lunch or an easy dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 flatbread or pita
- 1 cup shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1/4 cup hummus
- 1/4 cup marinated artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1/4 cup diced cucumber
- 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Spread hummus evenly over the flatbread.
- Top with chicken, artichokes, cucumber, and tomatoes.
- Drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, until edges are golden.
- Remove from oven and slice before serving.
Find more ideas for Mediterranean flatbreads with chicken here and here.
9) Rotisserie Chicken Fried Rice
Turn leftover rotisserie chicken into a quick fried rice. This dish works well for busy nights.
Start with cooked rice, leftover chicken, peas, and eggs. You only need one pan for this meal.
Add soy sauce or other seasonings to fit your taste. It cooks fast, and cleanup is simple.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup rotisserie chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup frozen peas
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oil
Cooking Instructions
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
- Scramble the eggs and set aside.
- Add chicken and peas; cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in rice and soy sauce.
- Mix eggs back in and cook for 3 more minutes.
- Serve warm.
For an easy option with your rotisserie chicken fried rice, check this easy rotisserie chicken fried rice recipe.
10) BBQ Chicken Sliders with Coleslaw
Quickly make BBQ chicken sliders with leftover rotisserie chicken. Shred the chicken and mix it with your favorite BBQ sauce.
Pile the BBQ chicken onto soft slider buns. Add crunchy coleslaw for a fresh and tangy contrast.
Hawaiian rolls work great because they are soft and slightly sweet. These sliders are perfect for a quick meal or party snack.
Ingredients
- 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 cup BBQ sauce
- 1 cup coleslaw (pre-made or homemade)
- 12 slider buns (Hawaiian rolls recommended)
Cooking Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
-
Mix shredded chicken with BBQ sauce in a bowl.
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Place slider buns on a baking sheet. Warm them in the oven for 5 minutes.
-
Build the sliders by placing BBQ chicken on the buns.
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Add coleslaw on top before serving.