Rotisserie chickens can be a quick and convenient dinner solution. You can pick them up ready-to-eat at your local grocery store deli. However they often lack flavor and taste boring. If you find yourself with an underwhelming rotisserie chicken, don’t despair. With a little creativity you can transform that bland bird into a delicious masterpiece.
Here are 15 mouthwatering ways to spice up a lackluster rotisserie chicken
Boost the Flavor with Spice Rubs and Sauces
An easy way to pack a flavor punch is to season your chicken with spice rubs or sauces. Some simple but effective options include:
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BBQ Chicken – Brush on your favorite bbq sauce or make a quick mixture of ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Broil the chicken till caramelized.
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Jerk Chicken – Make a spicy dry rub using spices like allspice, thyme, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, brown sugar, garlic, and onion. Let the chicken marinate for 30 mins before baking.
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Tandoori Chicken – For an Indian twist, rub the chicken with a mix of turmeric, cumin, garlic, ginger, yogurt, lemon juice, chili powder, garam masala, and salt.
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Teriyaki Chicken – Brush teriyaki glaze on the chicken made with soy sauce, honey, rice vinegar, ginger, and garlic. Bake till sticky and glossy.
Turn it Into Tacos, Fajitas or Enchiladas
Shred the chicken meat and use it to make Mexican favorites like tacos, fajitas, quesadillas, burritos or enchiladas. Load them up with toppings like guacamole, salsa, cheese, beans, rice, and chili peppers. The seasonings and spicy flavors will pack a punch and make the chicken taste amazing.
Use it In Soups, Salads, Sandwiches
Get creative with healthy everyday meals. Toss cubed chicken in salads with vinaigrettes and bold ingredients like blue cheese, avocado, bacon, and cherry tomatoes. Make chicken tortilla soup with veggies, beans, chili powder, and lime. Pile sandwich fixings like pesto, bacon, lettuce, and chipotle mayo on ciabatta.
Quick Chicken Curry
Whip up an easy curry by cooking onions, garlic, and spices like cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and chili flakes in coconut milk. Add veggies like peppers, peas, and tomatoes. Simmer the chicken in the fragrant sauce for an Indian-inspired dinner.
Chicken Parmesan
Bread chicken cutlets with panko, pan fry, and top with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. Serve over pasta for a quick chicken parm that beats takeout.
Chicken and Dumplings
Turn leftover chicken into hearty chicken and dumplings. Simmer chicken in broth with carrots, celery, and herbs. Add biscuit dough cut into pieces and cook till fluffy. It’s down home comfort food at its best.
Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
Shredded chicken gets a flavor boost from the zesty Caesar dressing. Toss with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, croutons, and wrap in a tortilla for a portable lunch.
Chicken Pot Pie
Comfort food doesn’t get much better than chicken pot pie. Make an easy filling by simmering chicken with frozen veggies and gravy. Top with store-bought puff pastry and bake for a nostalgic family favorite.
Chicken Cordon Bleu
For next-level flavor, stuff chicken breasts with sliced ham and Swiss cheese. Bread with panko, pan fry, and bake. Serve with Dijon mustard sauce for all the flavor of this restaurant classic.
Chicken Fried Rice
Toss bite-size chicken with vegetables like carrots, onions, peas, and scrambled eggs. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic, and ginger. The bold Asian flavors transform boring chicken into an addictive fried rice.
Chicken Pizza
Jazz up a basic pizza by topping with chicken, spinach, mushrooms, caramelized onions, and mozzarella. Drizzle balsamic glaze for a gourmet flatbread packed with flavor.
Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Chicken salad is endlessly versatile. Customize with grapes, apples, cranberries, pecans, celery, onion, and any dressing you love like ranch, lemon vinaigrette, or curry yogurt sauce. Scoop into croissants for satisfying lunches.
Chicken Chili
Simmer chicken in a hearty chili flavored with tomatoes, beans, corn, peppers, cumin, garlic, and chili powder. Top with avocado, cheese, and cilantro for a hearty meal with a kick.
Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Transform chicken and pasta by mixing with a rich, creamy alfredo sauce. Sauté mushrooms, spinach, or broccoli to make it even more decadent. Sprinkle parmesan cheese for added flavor.
Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
Kid favorite mac and cheese gets amped up with hot buffalo chicken. Just stir in shredded chicken coated in hot sauce and top with crispy panko breadcrumbs. The indulgent, spicy flavors make boring chicken irresistible.
With a little imagination and creativity in the kitchen, you can easily transform a lackluster rotisserie chicken into 15 different mouthwatering meals. Don’t settle for bland or boring! With the right spices, sauces, ingredients and recipes, you can spice up that store-bought bird and enjoy delicious dinners all week long.
Kitchen Tips & Skills
Winner, winner, store-bought chicken dinner.
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FAQ
How to fix bland rotisserie chicken?
Chicken itself is bland to begin with. Try chopping it into smaller pieces and add more seasoning to your broth, like generic poultry seasoning mix and use soy sauce or Maggi instead of plain salt. Also try thickening the broth with cornstarch for a better mouth-feel.
What can you add to rotisserie chicken to make it taste better?
Rotisserie Seasoning — The trick to getting the flavor of a rotisserie chicken in a conventional oven is the seasoning blend. I used a combination of salt, paprika, black pepper, dried thyme, plus both onion and garlic powder to create a blend reminiscent of classic rotisserie.
What to do with tasteless chicken?
Reverse marinating chicken is a great way to add extra flavor notes while bringing out the natural essence of the meat. Use or make a marinade that has an acidic ingredient in it, like lemon juice or vinegar, as it is the acid and salt that penetrate the top layer of your chicken.