Quick & Easy Rotisserie Chicken Recipes: Weeknight Magic (Print Version)

Rotisserie Chicken Recipes for busy weeknights! Turn a store-bought bird into delicious meals with these simple, flavorful ideas. Fast, easy, and oh-so-good.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (check broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 large store-bought rotisserie chicken
02 - 1 tbsp olive oil
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Flavor Boosters

06 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
07 - 1/2 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
09 - Salt and black pepper to taste

→ Finishing Touches

10 - 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Optional Extras

11 - A squeeze of lime juice
12 - A pinch of cayenne pepper for heat

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let that beautiful rotisserie chicken cool down just enough so you can handle it. Then, get in there with your hands (or two forks, if you're feeling fancy) and pull all that glorious meat off the bones. I usually start with the legs and thighs, then move to the breast. Don't forget those little bits of dark meat tucked away, they're pure flavor! This is where I always make a little mess, bits of chicken flying, but it's worth it for all that shredded goodness. Honestly, the smell alone is enough to make your stomach rumble.
02 - In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat a good glug of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your diced onion. Sauté until it softens and turns translucent, about 5-7 minutes. You want them fragrant, not browned, so keep an eye on them. This is the foundation of flavor, hon, don't rush it. I once got impatient and ended up with crunchy onions, which was not the vibe I was going for at all. Low and slow is the way to go here, letting those sweet onion flavors develop.
03 - Now, add your minced garlic to the skillet and cook for just about 30 seconds until it's fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made too many times! Then, stir in your smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder. Let them toast for another minute, stirring constantly. Oh, the smell that fills your kitchen right now! It's warm, earthy, and just makes you feel like something delicious is coming. This step really wakes up those spices and brings out their best flavors.
04 - Pour in your chicken broth and bring it to a gentle simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan – that's flavor gold! Add the shredded rotisserie chicken to the skillet, stirring to combine everything really well. Let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes, allowing all those wonderful flavors to meld together. You want the chicken to absorb some of that delicious broth and spice mixture. I often sneak a little taste here, just to make sure the seasoning is on point.
05 - This is the moment of truth! Taste your creation. Does it need more salt? A pinch of pepper? Maybe another dash of paprika? Adjust the seasonings to your liking. Remember, you're the chef here, so make it sing for your taste buds! I always keep a little extra salt and pepper handy because my palate changes daily, honestly. Sometimes I add a tiny squeeze of lime juice here for brightness, it works wonders.
06 - Once you're happy with the flavors, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in a generous handful of fresh chopped cilantro

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