By: Nicholas Oconnor, Prepared Foods/Cheese Catergory Manager
What do I do with a whole chicken??
Greetings! I am writing this article specifically for folks that do not have roasted chicken as a part of their regular shopping list, and for those who like chicken, but have never utilized the expediency of whole roasted chickens. But even if you are a regular shopper of our whole chickens, I hope you can get some ideas for recipe during the week!
Roasted chicken is an extremely versatile and time-saving ingredient that can transform your weeknight dinners or weekend meal preps into a fairly painless affair. Not only is it flavorful and juicy, but it also saves you the effort of cooking chicken from scratch, allowing you to focus on crafting delicious meals in less time. At Willy Street Co-op, the chickens in our Deli are from Bell & Evans. Check out my article from April 2024 to read about why we moved to Bell & Evans for all of our chicken in the Prepared Foods program! https://www.willystreet.coop/reader/april-2024/making-bell-evans-our-source-for-chicken-in-the-delis/
You can of course use the entire chicken in one night, but if that’s too much for you, I would recommend deboning the chicken once it’s not too hot to work with, then shred it, and pack it up in airtight containers in the fridge. This will allow you to use the shredded chicken for multiple meals, and in different ways.
Recipe Ideas
Here are some fun and creative recipe ideas to inspire your culinary adventures with roasted chicken.
Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup with Shredded Chicken
One of my absolute favorite and fast lunches to whip up for my family is to heat up a quart or two of the Pacific Foods Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup on the stove and throw in a couple handfuls of shredded chicken. When we’re short on time and everyone is hungry, this is a fabulous option that allows me to multitask in the kitchen and get lunch ready.
Using roasted chicken like this makes it so easy to add protein to so many dishes, but any vegetable soup can quickly be transformed with just a handful of chicken. I usually like to add a roll on the side as well, just to round out the meal.
Suggested Pairings: Pacific Foods Roasted Red Pepper and Tomato Soup, S. Rosen’s Tiebel’s French Rolls
Roasted Chicken Tacos
Transform roasted chicken into a taco night masterpiece! Shred the chicken and toss it with taco seasoning and a splash of lime juice. Serve it in warm corn or flour tortillas with your favorite toppings like shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, guacamole, and cheese. Add a drizzle of chipotle crema or salsa verde for an extra burst of flavor. This quick and easy dish is perfect for family dinners or casual gatherings.
Suggested Pairings: Olden Organics Guacamole, Gitto Farm N Kitchen 8” Flour Tortillas
Roasted Chicken Fried Rice
Give your leftover rice a flavorful makeover with this quick fried rice recipe. Sauté diced onions, garlic, and mixed vegetables in a pan, then add shredded rotisserie chicken and cooked rice. Stir in soy sauce, sesame oil, and scrambled eggs for a hearty and delicious meal that’s ready in minutes.
Suggested Pairings: Cascadian Farm Frozen Mixed Vegetables, Pasture Patterns Eggs
BBQ Chicken Pizza
Roasted chicken makes a fantastic topping for homemade pizza. Spread barbecue sauce over a pizza crust, then top with shredded chicken, sliced red onions, and shredded mozzarella or smoked gouda. Bake until the crust is crispy and the cheese is melted. Garnish with fresh cilantro for a burst of freshness.
Suggested Pairings: Willy Street Co-op Pizza Dough, Primal Kitchen Golden BBQ Sauce, Triple Crown Black Garlic BBQ Sauce, Marieke Gouda
Roasted Chicken Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a crowd-pleaser, and roasted chicken makes them even easier to prepare. Roll shredded chicken mixed with cheese and enchilada sauce into tortillas, then place them in a baking dish. If you’re looking for a recommendation I’d try the Rio Luna Enchilada Sauce, and if you haven’t tried Tortilleria Zepeda you should check out their corn tortillas. Top with additional sauce and cheese, and bake until bubbly. Serve with sour cream and fresh cilantro for a complete meal.
Suggested Pairings:
Rio Luna Enchilada Sauce (red or green), Tortilleria Zepeda Corn Tortillas (white, yellow, or blue)
Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake
Combine two comfort food classics into one dish with this creamy pasta bake. Toss cooked pasta with alfredo sauce, shredded roasted chicken, and steamed broccoli. Top with shredded cheese and breadcrumbs, then bake until bubbly and golden brown. This dish is as satisfying as it is simple to prepare.
Suggested Pairings: RP’s Pasta Company Spinach Linguini Fresh Pasta, Sartori Cheese Shredded Parmesan
Chicken Stir-Fry
A quick stir-fry is an excellent way to use roasted chicken. Sauté mixed vegetables like broccoli, bell peppers, and snap peas in a hot pan, then add shredded chicken and a stir-fry sauce made from soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and a touch of honey; or buy a premade sauce. The great thing about the San-J cooking sauces we carry is you could use the same chicken and vegetables, but switch out the sauce and it’s like a totally new dish! Serve over steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
Suggested Pairings: Cascadian Farm Frozen Chinese-Style Stir Fry Blend, San-J Cooking Sauce (pick any!), Lundberg Basmati Rice (from the Bulk aisle)
Chicken Pesto Panini
Elevate your sandwich game with a chicken pesto panini. Spread pesto on slices of crusty bread, then layer with shredded chicken, sliced tomatoes, and mozzarella. Brush the bread with olive oil and grill until the bread is crispy and the cheese is melted. Serve with a side salad or soup for a complete meal.
Suggested Pairings: Willy Street Co-op Basil Pesto, Belgioioso Fresh Sliced Mozzarella, Madison Sourdough Country Batard
Final Thoughts
Roasted chicken is a culinary MVP that can save you time while allowing you to create a variety of delicious dishes. From comfort food classics to light and fresh meals, these recipes show just how versatile this ingredient can be. Whether you’re feeding a family, entertaining guests, or meal-prepping for the week, rotisserie chicken is your ticket to stress-free and flavorful cooking.
Things we didn’t cover here, but should be on your radar for ideas: chicken pot pie, chicken crock pot, nachos, and spicy chicken chili!
Lastly, look for our Willy Street Co-op Roasted Chicken sale on Owner Deals Monday 2/24 – Sunday 3/2.