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77 Ways to Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

77 Ways to Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

By Cooking Light

May 16, 2019

Photo: Jennifer CaUsey

Leftover chicken is one of your best allies for jump-starting creative home-cooked meals, whether you've got last night's roast or a savory bird from the supermarket. Here are dozens of salads, soups, pizzas and more that make clever use of rotisserie chicken.

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Mini Chicken Potpies

Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Mini Chicken Potpies

Filled with tender sweet potato, meaty mushrooms, and shredded chicken, these personal potpies are a one-dish meal your family will love. Let the puff pastry thaw in the fridge for about 45 minutes before using.

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Chicken and Peach Flatbreads

Kelsey Hansen

View Recipe: Chicken and Peach Flatbreads

Premade pizza crusts are a lifesaver for the busy weeknight cook. Here they provide a filling base for these outside-the-box pizzas. To make your own balsamic glaze, simmer down 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar until thick and syrupy, about 5 minutes.

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Chicken and Cucumber Salad With Parsley Pesto

Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Chicken and Cucumber Salad With Parsley Pesto

This hearty supper salad is a lean-protein powerhouse thanks to chicken, chickpeas, and edamame; the parsley pesto delivers bone-boosting vitamin K. Pick up frozen shelled edamame to make this meal extra speedy.

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Mexican-Style Chicken and Honeydew Salad

Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Mexican-Style Chicken and Honeydew Salad

Rotisserie chicken and pre-diced honeydew help get dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes; pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds) and tortilla strips deliver a satisfying double-crunch factor.

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Loaded Greek Feta Fries

Victor Protasio

View Recipe: Loaded Greek Feta Fries

This dish gets tons of flavor from the spices. If your fresh oregano is strong, start with less than what’s called for and add more to taste. To speed things up, prep all the ingredients in advance so you can assemble quickly while the fries are still hot.

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Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

Victor Protasio

View Recipe: Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

Think of this as curried chicken salad served on a grill-toasted flatbread. The quick-pickled carrots can be made ahead and hold well for several days; make a double batch to add to salads or sandwiches or even to serve on a cheese board. Prepared whole-grain naan is available in most supermarkets in the bakery or deli department. Change it up with snap peas instead of snow and—if you're serving a nut-free crowd—skip the peanuts. No grill pan? Toast the naan in a large toaster oven or heat in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. Keep it kid-friendly with a mild curry powder, or give it a kick by using spicier Madras curry powder.

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Cauliflower Puree With Barbecue Rotisserie Chicken

Greg DuPree

View Recipe: Cauliflower Puree With Barbecue Rotisserie Chicken

Don’t rush processing the cauliflower; it’s key to giving the puree the consistency of grits. You can also use purchased riced cauliflower. If it’s frozen, you can toss it right into the saucepan unthawed.

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Mediterranean Chicken and Couscous Bowls

Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken and Couscous Bowls

These quick chicken-and-veggie bowls are endlessly adaptable depending on what you have on hand. Beyond cucumber and tomato, you could try thinly sliced carrots, steamed broccoli florets and zucchini, or roasted cauliflower. You could also sub flaked salmon or sliced cooked lamb for the chicken. Treat the couscous like pasta, simmering until tender and then draining. Unlike most pastas, you'll want to rinse and drain the couscous so the grains don't clump together.

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Korean Barbecue Pizza

Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Korean Barbecue Pizza

We gave a crowd-pleasing classic like barbecue chicken pizza a Korean spin. Fresh mozzarella is mild enough to complement the caramel and chile notes in the sauce and is a great canvas for the fresh carrot and radish salad on top. Roll out and build the pizza on a large sheet of parchment paper so you can place both directly on the hot pizza stone. The bottom of the crust will still be crisp, and you’ll avoid any potential flops from counter to oven.

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Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

The genius of this recipe is the skillet-seared crust, which gives you a pizzeria-quality pie in less than half the bake time. The potpie-style topper is a fun twist on a white pizza and a great way to pack extra veggies onto each slice.

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20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: 20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas

We hacked this Mexican favorite in July 2013 to get it to the table with lightning speed. One richly spiced sauce doubles as the filling and the topper to save time. And since every element is already cooked, the dish needs just three minutes under the broiler to melt the cheese.

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Creamy Chicken Quesadillas

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Creamy Chicken Quesadillas

A creamy base helps the cheese go further and keeps the chicken moist. For a crisp exterior, coat the filled tortillas with cooking spray instead of coating the pan.

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Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

Go ahead and flag this recipe—it's sure to become a family favorite. For convenience, we call for precooked wild rice; if you can't find it, you can substitute 2 cups of your own cooked wild rice or a package of precooked brown rice.

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15-Minute Chicken Shawarma Bowls

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: 15-Minute Chicken Shawarma Bowls

This Middle Eastern-inspired bowl is all about big flavor with minimal effort. A garlicky, tahini-spiked yogurt brings all the elements together and takes just minutes to make. Assemble a few bowls at the beginnings of the week for easy make-ahead lunches.

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Quick Green Chicken Chili

Photo: Linda Pugliese

View Recipe: Quick Green Chicken Chili

The secret to a lightening-fast chili is to keep it simple, with starchy, creamy Great Northern beans as the main bean and canned green chiles (already broiled, skinned, and chopped) as your heat source. We blend half the beans to build body, leaving the rest whole for texture. Precooked rotisserie chicken also saves time, but you could use any leftover protein, such as chopped cooked pork tenderloin or cooked ground turkey. Top the chili with creamy sour cream and crunchy radishes, or try diced tomato, cilantro, or sliced jalapeños. Serve with multigrain tortilla chips.

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Cobb Pizza

Photo: Caitlin Bensel

View Recipe: Cobb Pizza

The classic salad is transformed brilliantly into a summer pizza here, thanks to fresh veggies and a dressing-inspired sauce of tangy yogurt, mayo, and buttermilk.

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Zucchini-Ribbon Pizza with Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Zucchini-Ribbon Pizza with Chicken

This speedy summertime pizza gets topped with a crisp, lemony zucchini ribbons, making for a perfectly balanced bite every time. Use a vegetable peeler to get wide ribbons from the zucchini. Ground coriander has a distinct lemony flavor that perks up the rotisserie chicken and the zucchini.

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BBQ Chicken-and-Black Bean Tacos

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: BBQ Chicken-and-Black Bean Tacos

Easy assembly and bold flavors join forces for a dinner the whole family will love. A kid-friendly mix of quality convenience items and bright produce imparts fresh taste with minimal legwork. A probiotic-rich stand-in for sour cream, yogurt offers creaminess and helps bind the toppings. Rotisserie chicken, one of the most versatile supermarket proteins, makes for a fast and fresh meal. Look for BBQ sauce varieties with less than 250mg sodium and 5g sugar. We like Annie's Original BBQ Sauce.

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Chicken and Poblano Stew with Polenta

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Chicken and Poblano Stew with Polenta

Poblano chiles become smoky and lose some of their intensity when broiled. Wrap the peppers in the same foil used to line the pan, and let stand so that the steam can loosen the skins before you peel them.

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Tortellini, Chicken, and Arugula Salad

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Tortellini, Chicken, and Arugula Salad

Quality meets convenience in this speedy springtime main. This salad fits right into your weekday lineup with minimal effort and maximum flavor. Prewashed greens let you grab a handful and go. Build a salad, wilt into sautés, or blend into a pesto. Look to Buitoni pasta packs for quick meals on their own or to help you elevate salads and soups. Rotisserie chicken is one of your best supermarket allies for fast and fresh weeknight meals.

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Sweet Potato Cakes with Chicken and Poblano Relish

Photo: Hector Manuel Sanchez

View Recipe: Sweet Potato Cakes with Chicken and Poblano Relish

Leftover roasted potatoes make the crispiest cakes, a great base for the chicken and zingy poblano topper.

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Greek Chicken Nachos

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Greek Chicken Nachos

Dinner doesn’t get much easier, or more fun, than sheet pan nachos. The pan does double duty: Toast the chips first, then pile high with toppings and return to the oven to melt the cheese and heat everything through. Here the Mexican classic takes a detour to Greece with pita chips, a shredded Greek salad, and crumbled feta. Rotisserie chicken breast makes this meal even easier, though this dish is a great use for any leftover cooked chicken. Bring the whole pan to the table and cut into servings, like you would a square pizza.

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Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos

These skillet-grilled burritos come together in a flash thanks to store-bought rotisserie chicken. Keep this meal light by serving with a fresh green salad.

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Kale Caesar Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chicken

Photo: Squire Fox

View Recipe: Kale Caesar Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chicken

We skip the croutons and add toasted walnuts for a bit of heart-healthy crunch.

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Caprese Wraps With Chicken

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Caprese Wraps With Chicken

Assemble this hearty sandwich for a quick and easy weeknight meal. The fresh mozzarella and tomato lend a bright and summery taste.

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Curried Coconut Soup With Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Curried Coconut Soup With Chicken

The classic delight of Thai curry paste and coconut milk meet with tender rotisserie chicken and fresh vegetables in this soup to make delicious Thai cuisine an easy, healthy weeknight option.

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Thai Green Curry Chicken

Photo: Jennifer Causey

View Recipe: Thai Green Curry Chicken

The perfect dinner with some leftover rotisserie chicken you have in the fridge.

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Broccoli and Rice Casseroles

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Broccoli and Rice Casseroles

Hearty and oh-so-tasty, this is a great choice for a weeknight family dinner.

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Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Photo: Brian Woodcock

View Recipe: Mom's Creamy Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Traditional creamy chicken casserole can have more than 800 calories per serving, but we’re serving up this classic comfort dish with a fraction of the calories.

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Avocado Chicken Salad

Photo: José Picayo

View Recipe: Avocado Chicken Salad

Fresh, tasty, and delicious is how this 5-star Avocado Chicken Salad is commonly described. Mrs. Hartzell raves, “So delicious and easy! I could seriously eat this every day!” You’re not alone. We could, too. This particular recipe uses vinaigrette instead of mayonnaise but doesn’t lose its creamy texture, thanks to avocado. Salsa and fresh cilantro give this chicken salad its south-of-the-border flavors. So, instead of layering over a bed of greens, serve with tortilla chips for scooping and an added crunch.

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Cold Sesame Noodles With Chicken and Cucumbers

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Cold Sesame Noodles With Chicken and Cucumbers

Dig into a simple end-of-summer pasta toss loaded with chicken, cucumbers, and peanuts. We use dried udon noodles; if using fresh noodles, you'll need about 11 ounces.

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BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: BBQ Chicken and Blue Cheese Pizza

The texture and flavors of this pie are sure to impress. Substitute fresh mozzarella for blue cheese to make a kid-friendly option.

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Pepper Jack, Chicken, and Peach Quesadillas

Photo: John Autry

View Recipe: Pepper Jack, Chicken, and Peach Quesadillas

Give average chicken quesadillas new life with sweet peaches and spicy cheese. For the kids, try fontina or Monterey Jack instead.

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Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Photo: Randy Mayor

View Recipe: Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Pair this simple, no-cook meal with toasted buttery baguette slices.

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Herbed Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Photo: Oxmoor House

View Recipe: Herbed Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Tarragon and rye bread make a classic chicken salad sandwich extra special. You can make the chicken salad ahead. If you're packing it to go, keep the salad cold, and make your sandwich right before you're ready to eat to keep the bread from getting soggy.

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Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Photo: Johnny Autry

View Recipe: Chicken and Vegetable Soup

Let this simple soup warm you up during the chillier months. You can also use this recipe as a template for other chicken and veggie soups.

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77 Ways to Use Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

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Mini Chicken Potpies

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Chicken and Peach Flatbreads

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Chicken and Cucumber Salad With Parsley Pesto

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Mexican-Style Chicken and Honeydew Salad

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Loaded Greek Feta Fries

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Grilled Chicken Curry Flatbreads

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Cauliflower Puree With Barbecue Rotisserie Chicken

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Mediterranean Chicken and Couscous Bowls

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Korean Barbecue Pizza

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Chicken Potpie Skillet Pizza

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20-Minute Chicken Enchiladas

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Creamy Chicken Quesadillas

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Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

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15-Minute Chicken Shawarma Bowls

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Quick Green Chicken Chili

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Cobb Pizza

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Zucchini-Ribbon Pizza with Chicken

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BBQ Chicken-and-Black Bean Tacos

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Chicken and Poblano Stew with Polenta

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Tortellini, Chicken, and Arugula Salad

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Sweet Potato Cakes with Chicken and Poblano Relish

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Greek Chicken Nachos

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Chicken and Black Bean-Stuffed Burritos

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Kale Caesar Quinoa Salad with Roasted Chicken

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Caprese Wraps With Chicken

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Curried Coconut Soup With Chicken

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