Store-bought rotisserie chicken can rescue those hectic nights when cooking a protein—or anything that involves more than a few steps—is out of the question. I’ve found 7 fantastically easy dinner recipes using a store-bought roast chicken that are perfect for any day of the week.
Before we get to it, I have to be honest that what I love most about rotisserie chicken is that you don’t need a recipe. You can shred and serve it on top of a salad or toss some with leftover rice and thawed veggies from the freezer: easy peasy. But I get it; a lot of those frenzied nights call for a little guidance. And when you need some, these recipes are a livesaver.
Related: How to roast chicken perfectly; tips for mastering the ultimate comfort food.
While takeout can often save the day, I guarantee the Easy Chicken Fried Rice at Iowa Girl Eats (above) will be tastier and definitely healthier than delivery. Substitute store-bought rotisserie chicken and most, if not all, of the other ingredients may already be in your pantry or freezer. You can also play around with heat if you want; keep a bottle of Sriracha sauce on hand for the grownups.
Friends, the BBQ Chicken Tacos at Lovely Little Kitchen is a genius no-cook recipe. You’ll have to warm up some frozen corn and rinse some canned black beans, but when using a store-bought rotisserie chicken, these tangy and satisfying tacos come together lickety-split.
If your kids struggle with holding a taco together (like mine), try these Quick and Easy Baked Chicken Flautas at Spoon Fork Bacon. Roll up all the goodness in flour tortillas and bake for a meal that is perfect for tonight, and tomorrow night too.
I love this Rotisserie Chicken Salad recipe at I’d Rather Be a Chef because it’s straightforward without losing sight of what makes chicken salad sing: rich chicken-y flavor and varied texture. Chunky and tender, this no-cook recipe is also super versatile. Swap out the radishes or finely mince a regular onion if you don’t have shallots. You can even add a few more seasonings like herbs, onion, nuts or, really, whatever your heart desires.
Related: 5 grilled chicken recipes that will make dinner exciting again.
I love a good grain bowl. They’re customizable, healthy, and the Chicken and Avocado Rice Bowls at Rachel Shultz include a big dollop of mashed avocado (score!). You can skip all of the seasonings that the recipe calls for when using a store-bought rotisserie chicken (another score!), which is awesome. And bowls are a great way to introduce healthy grains like farro, barley, or brown rice to the kids.
As the name suggests, the Comforting Chicken Noodle Soup at Food & Wine is nourishing, but the best part is that it comes together in 10 minutes! With a quick sauté of vegetables and store-bought chicken, you’re on your way to a hearty dinner that will feed the whole family.
Pro tip! By the way, soups always make great use of leftover chicken; reheating the meat in the chicken broth prevents it from drying out.
Related: 5 kid-friendly dinners you can cook straight from the freezer—and everything you need to make them.
Brimming with vegetables and creamy pasta, the Chicken with Lemony Egg Noodles and Peas at Delish can be on the table quickly thanks to a few shortcuts. Store-bought rotisserie chicken of course, but also veggies that go straight from the fridge or freezer to the mixing bowl, no extra cooking necessary. This recipe leaves you enough time to concentrate on what matters—opening a bottle of wine!
