Picking up a rotisserie chicken on our way home from work is a convenient and budget-friendly way to simplify home cooking. If you find yourself with leftover chicken the next day you’re halfway there to another homemade meal. Whether you’re using it as a taco filling, salad topping or simply as an ingredient, cooked chicken means dishing up a meal in minutes. Serve something satisfying tonight with these ten delicious ways to use up leftover rotisserie chicken.
1. Cheesy Firecracker Baked Chicken Taquitos | With Salt and Wit
This crowd-pleasing recipe is a tasty (and healthier!) alternative to the store-bought crispy fried taquitos. Mini whole-wheat tortillas are stuffed with gooey cheese, black beans, corn, chicken, and peppers before they’re baked and topped with an easy homemade ranch guacamole. Garnish with fresh cilantro. Recipe makes 10 servings at 1 taquito each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 212; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 32mg; Sodium: 648mg; Carbohydrate: 24g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 13g
2. Caprese Wraps with Chicken| Cooking Light
Toss refreshing tomato and basil with mozzarella and chicken for a quick and easy wrap your family will enjoy. You can add extra flair to this weeknight meal by substituting balsamic vinegar for white wine vinegar. Toss in chopped cucumbers or bell peppers for more crunch. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 wrap each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 328; Total Fat: 16g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 6g; Cholesterol: 61mg; Sodium: 573mg; Carbohydrate: 22g; Dietary Fiber: 10g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 30g
3. High-Protein Chicken Salad | MyFitnessPal’s Original Recipes
Tangy, sweet and savory, this simple chicken salad features creamy Greek yogurt, sweet grapes and crisp apples for a balanced meal that’ll keep you full for hours. Serve on toasted 100% whole-grain bread. Or, tuck this protein-packed mixture into a lettuce wrap as a lower carbohydrate option. Recipe makes 6 servings at 3/4 cup chicken salad + 2 slices whole grain bread + 1 lettuce leaf each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 364; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 65mg; Sodium: 412mg; Carbohydrate: 44g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 34g
4. Easy Chicken and Spinach Lasagna | MyFitnessPal’s Original Recipes
No-boil lasagna noodles and frozen chopped spinach make this scrumptious lasagna a fuss-free meal. Serve it bubbling hot out of the oven with a tossed side salad or roasted veggies. Score bonus points by using whole-grain noodles! Recipe makes 8 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 400; Total Fat: 15g; Saturated Fat: 7g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 96mg; Sodium: 487mg; Carbohydrate: 29g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 36g
5. Hearty Chicken Corn Chowder | MyFitnessPal’s Original Recipes
Whipping up chicken corn chowder from scratch may sound a bit daunting, but don’t fret. This version uses pureed corn in lieu of cream for a lighter take that’s just as rich and comforting as the original version. The best part is that it’ll be on the table in under thirty minutes. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 3/4 cups each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 308; Total Fat: 7g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 71mg; Sodium: 663mg; Carbohydrate: 33g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 6g; Protein: 29g
6. Chicken and Black Bean Tostadas | MyFitnessPal’s Original Recipes
Say hello to a flavor fiesta! Store-bought tostadas are smothered in spicy crema, leftover chicken and fiber-rich black beans for a satisfying dinner that rivals any restaurant meal. Serve with fresh avocado slices and baked tortilla chips. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 tostada each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 231; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 23mg; Sodium: 629mg; Carbohydrate: 30g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 5g; Protein: 22g
7. Greek Style Chicken Wrap | Cooking Light
Have work week lunches packed in no time with these snappy Greek chicken wraps. They’ll hit your taste buds right because they’re bursting with juicy tomatoes, creamy hummus, fresh cucumbers and tangy feta. Pair with a nutritious side like sliced cucumbers with hummus dip. Recipe makes 6 servings at 1 wrap each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 237; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 20mg; Sodium: 559mg; Carbohydrate: 27g; Dietary Fiber: 5g; Sugar: 0g; Protein: 12g
8. Easy Chicken Muffins | Ruwi’s Kitchen
Swap out the sweet treats for these unique protein-packed chicken muffins. Snack on one mid-afternoon to ward off those post-lunch hunger pangs. For added nutrition, use whole-grain flour and low-fat buttermilk. Feel free to omit the chili powder if you’re serving kiddos! Recipe makes 14 servings at 1 muffin each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 193; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 56mg; Sodium: 189mg; Carbohydrate: 18g; Dietary Fiber: 2g; Sugar: 2g; Protein: 9g
9. Thai Chicken Salad | The Lean Green Bean
Light, crunchy, and refreshing, this satisfying salad packs a serious flavor and nutritious punch. The longer this salad marinates in the fridge, the better it tastes. Make a batch on Sunday night for flavorful lunches all week long. Garnish with toasted peanuts and fresh lime juice. Nutrition calculated with low-sodium soy sauce. Recipe makes 6 servings.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 232; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 60mg; Sodium: 311mg; Carbohydrate: 15g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 8g; Protein: 26g
10. Easy Thirty Minute Kale, White Bean, and Chicken Soup | Averie Cooks
Even beginner cook can whip up a hearty, chunky soup in thirty minutes flat! Low sodium broth helps keep the sodium in check. If you don’t have kale or cabbage on hand, feel free to toss in your favorite green. Garnish with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Recipe makes 7 servings at 2 cups each.
Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 376; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: g; Monounsaturated Fat: g; Cholesterol: 45mg; Sodium: 454mg; Carbohydrate: 45g; Dietary Fiber: 13g; Sugar: 4g; Protein: 34g
