35 Amazing Things You Can Make With Leftover Rotisserie Chicken

Hey there, fellow food lovers! I don’t know about you, but grabbing a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is one of my favorite shopping hacks It’s like having a magic ticket to quick dinners! But sometimes, we end up with leftovers sitting in the fridge, and honestly, plain reheated chicken can get kinda boring after a day or two

That’s why I’ve put together this epic list of leftover rotisserie chicken recipes that’ll transform those leftovers into meals so good, your family will think you spent hours in the kitchen (when really, you were probably just binge-watching your favorite show).

Why Rotisserie Chicken Is The Ultimate Shortcut

Before diving into recipes, let’s appreciate why rotisserie chicken is so awesome:

• It’s already perfectly cooked and seasoned
• The slow roasting process makes it juicier than anything we could make at home
• It’s affordable (often cheaper than buying a raw chicken!)
• It saves TONS of prep time
• You can use every part – meat for meals, bones for broth

As Ree Drummond from The Pioneer Woman says, “I shred a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store because it’s so dadgum easy.” And you know what? She’s totally right!

Comfort Food Classics With Leftover Chicken

1. Chicken Pot Pie (The Ultimate Comfort Food)

There’s nothing like a slice of chicken pot pie with a buttery, flaky crust. Using rotisserie chicken cuts your prep time in half! Just mix your chicken with some frozen veggies (thaw and drain them first so your pie doesn’t get soggy), make a simple gravy with butter, flour, and chicken broth, and top with store-bought or homemade pastry

For an even quicker version, try Chicken Pot Pie Soup! It has all the same cozy flavors but comes together in about 30 minutes. Serve with some crusty bread or biscuits, and you’ve got dinner sorted.

2. Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

This is what happens when two comfort foods have a delicious baby! Take your basic mac and cheese recipe, add shredded rotisserie chicken tossed in buffalo sauce, and bake until bubbly. The Pioneer Woman’s version even includes both ranch AND blue cheese for maximum flavor. My kids literally fight over the leftovers of this one!

3. Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole

This is one of those dishes that’s perfect for meal prep Sunday. Mix shredded chicken with rice, broccoli, cheese, and a simple chicken broth gravy. Top with crunchy breadcrumbs and bake until golden. I usually make a big batch and portion it out for lunches throughout the week.

Quick Weeknight Meals

4. BBQ Chicken Sandwiches

When I’m craving pulled pork but don’t have 8 hours to slow cook it, I make these instead! Just shred your leftover rotisserie chicken, mix with your favorite BBQ sauce (homemade or store-bought, no judgment here!), and pile it onto buns. Add some coleslaw on top for crunch.

5. Rotisserie Chicken Quesadillas

These are my go-to late-night snack! Heat a tortilla in a skillet, add shredded chicken, cheese, and maybe some diced peppers or onions if you’re feeling fancy. Fold, cook until crispy, and dip in salsa, guac, or sour cream. Takes literally 10 minutes from fridge to plate.

6. Chicken Stuffed Peppers

With just four ingredients, these colorful peppers look impressive but are super easy. Cut bell peppers in half, stuff with a mixture of shredded chicken, rice, and cheese, then bake until the peppers are tender. You could even try poblano peppers for a spicier kick!

Soups & Stews

7. Quick Chicken Noodle Soup

Nothing beats homemade chicken soup, especially when you’re feeling under the weather. Start with the classic trio – carrots, celery, and onion – then add chicken broth, your shredded rotisserie chicken, and pasta. It’s ready in about 30 minutes but tastes like it simmered all day.

8. White Chicken Chili

This lighter alternative to beef chili is perfect for cooler days. Sauté onions and garlic, add chicken broth, white beans, corn, and your shredded chicken. Season with cumin, oregano, and a bit of green chili for kick. Top with cheese, avocado, and cilantro – heaven in a bowl!

9. Creamy Chicken and Corn Chili

This one’s a crowd-pleaser from The Pioneer Woman that uses a secret ingredient – cream cheese! – to make it super creamy and rich. The combo of chicken, corn, and spices makes for a cozy meal that gets even better the next day.

Pasta Dishes

10. Chicken Parm Lasagna

Why didn’t I think of this before?! It’s chicken parmesan in lasagna form – genius! Layer noodles with shredded chicken, marinara sauce, and tons of cheese for a dish that’ll have everyone asking for seconds.

11. Easy Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake

This is one of those fancy-seeming dishes that’s actually super simple. Mix alfredo sauce with sundried tomatoes, spinach, your shredded chicken, and pasta. Top with cheese, bake until bubbly, and voilà – a restaurant-worthy dinner at home!

12. Chicken, Mushroom, and Spinach Lasagna

For something a bit different from the traditional red sauce lasagna, this white version is incredible. The combination of mushrooms, spinach, and chicken creates a light but satisfying dish. With no-boil noodles, it comes together in under 30 minutes!

Tex-Mex Favorites

13. Green Chicken Enchiladas

Enchiladas verdes are a nice change from the usual red sauce version. Roll your shredded chicken in tortillas, top with salsa verde (store-bought or homemade), and plenty of cheese. Bake until bubbly and serve with a dollop of sour cream.

14. Easy Rotisserie Chicken Nachos

Nachos make ANY day better! I like to layer chips, cheese, and chicken, then add another layer so there aren’t any dry chips at the bottom (hate when that happens!). After baking, serve with all the toppings – guacamole, salsa, jalapeños, sour cream – and let everyone customize their plate.

15. Ancho Chicken Burritos

These hearty burritos are stuffed with seasoned chicken, black beans, rice, guacamole, and melty cheese. Perfect for a quick dinner or wrapped in foil for lunch the next day.

Salads & Lighter Options

16. Chicken and Strawberry Salad

Don’t knock fruit in salad until you’ve tried it! This surprising combo of chicken, strawberries, blue cheese, and cashews with a sweet-tangy dressing is amazing. It’s fresh, light, but still filling enough for a main meal.

17. Chinese Chicken Salad

This crunchy salad is perfect for hot days when you don’t want to cook. Mix cabbage, carrots, your shredded chicken, crunchy noodles, and sesame seeds, then toss with a simple Asian-inspired dressing. So refreshing!

18. Harvest Bowls

These DIY rice bowls are customizable based on what you have in the fridge. Start with a base of rice or quinoa, add your rotisserie chicken, roasted veggies, diced apples, goat cheese, and a simple vinaigrette. Healthy and satisfying!

Party-Perfect Appetizers

19. Buffalo Chicken Dip

This dip is always the first thing to disappear at parties! Mix shredded chicken with cream cheese, ranch dressing, buffalo sauce, and cheddar. Heat until bubbly (slow cooker works great for this) and serve with chips, celery, and carrot sticks.

20. Chicken Enchilada Roll-Ups

These no-bake roll-ups are perfect for snacking or as an appetizer. Mix cream cheese, shredded chicken, and seasonings, spread on tortillas, roll up, chill, then slice into pinwheels. They disappear FAST!

21. BBQ Chicken Flatbread Pizza

Store-bought flatbread + BBQ sauce + chicken + red onion + cheese = the easiest “pizza” ever! Bakes in about 10 minutes and tastes amazing. I sometimes add a little cilantro on top after baking for extra flavor.

Get Fancy (Without Much Effort)

22. Chicken, Bacon, Peach, and Blue Cheese Flatbreads

This combo sounds weird but trust me, it WORKS! The sweet peaches balance the salty bacon and tangy blue cheese perfectly. It’s the kind of dish you’d pay $15 for at a restaurant but can make at home in minutes.

23. Curried Chicken Salad

Curry powder takes regular chicken salad to a whole new level! Mix your shredded chicken with mayo, curry powder, raisins, and almonds, then serve on croissants or over greens. It’s amazing how a few simple ingredients can transform leftover chicken.

24. Enchilada Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

This is such a creative way to use leftover chicken! Bake sweet potatoes until tender, then stuff with a mixture of chicken, green chiles, jalapeños, and a tangy enchilada sauce. It’s like a flavor explosion in every bite!

Using Every Last Bit

Don’t forget about the bones! After you’ve used all the meat, throw the carcass in a pot with some carrots, celery, and onion to make homemade chicken broth. It’s SO much better than store-bought and practically free.

For the easiest shortcut chicken ramen soup, simmer the bones of your rotisserie chicken with some veggies, strain the broth, and add cooked ramen noodles (toss those flavor packets!). Instant comfort in a bowl!

My Personal Favorites

I’ve tried tons of leftover rotisserie chicken recipes over the years, but my absolute favorites are:

1. White chicken chili – perfect for game day or cold evenings
2. BBQ chicken flatbread – my go-to when I need dinner in 15 minutes
3. Chicken pot pie soup – all the comfort, half the work

Final Thoughts

Having a rotisserie chicken in your fridge is like having money in the bank – so many possibilities! And the best part? These recipes are super adaptable. No strawberries for the salad? Try apples instead. Out of bell peppers for stuffing? Use zucchini!

The next time you’re at the grocery store, grab that golden-brown beauty from the rotisserie counter and use these recipes to transform it into multiple amazing meals. Your wallet (and your family) will thank you!

What’s your favorite way to use leftover rotisserie chicken? Drop me a comment below – I’m always looking for new ideas!

Happy cooking!

A rotisserie chicken is good for three to four days in the refrigerator when stored at 40°F (4°C) or lower.

To improve a store-bought rotisserie chicken, add a flavorful dry rub or sauce and re-crisp the skin in an oven or air fryer for a better texture.