Rotisserie chicken is an incredibly convenient way to put together enjoyable, delicious meals and hit your health goals throughout the week. It’s loaded in protein to help you refuel after even the most challenging workouts (like this All Out Fan Bike Bootcamp Class) and has much lower levels of cholesterol and saturated fat in comparison to red meat.
The American Heart Association recommends chicken as one of the healthiest meat-based protein options, along with fish, that you should include in your diet more often(1). In fact, replacing red meat in your diet with chicken can help to lower cholesterol and reduce your risk for heart disease.
If you’re interested in eating healthier but don’t have a lot of time to cook, it’s time to add rotisserie chicken to your grocery list! Rotisserie chicken is a staple ingredient in many fresh, healthy recipes due to its delicious flavor and convenience.
Thanks to the way rotisserie chicken is roasted over an open fire; it’s incredibly juicy and tender without adding any unhealthy ingredients in the cooking process.
The best part is since rotisserie chicken comes pre-cooked, it shaves 30 minutes or more off your meal prep time. Simply remove the skin, and slice or shred the rotisserie chicken for a healthy addition to just about any meal!
Keep reading for 3 of my favorite ways to incorporate rotisserie chicken into the week for easy and healthy meals that don’t sacrifice flavor.
1. Easy Greek Rotisserie Chicken Bowls
These easy Greek-inspired rotisserie chicken bowls are light, fresh, and quick to throw together in a matter of minutes - making them perfect for easy lunches or dinners. Each bowl is packed with tons of healthy nutrients like fresh veggies, romaine lettuce, brown rice, chicken, and homemade tzatziki. Get creative and add your favorite toppings to finish off this delicious bowl!
Yields: 4 Servings
Ingredients:
Quick Pickled Red Onion- Red Onion, sliced thin
- ½ Cup Warm Water
- ½ Cup White Wine Vinegar
- Salt to taste
- 7 oz Plain Greek Yogurt
- 2 Tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 Cup Cucumber, finely diced
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Dill, rough chop
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Cracked Pepper, to taste
- 2 Cups Shredded Rotisserie Chicken
- 1 tsp Cumin
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- Dash Cayenne (optional)
- Sea Salt, to taste
- Cracked Pepper, to taste
- Cooked Brown Rice
- Kalamata Olives
- Cherry Tomatoes, halved
- Bell Peppers, thinly sliced
- Romaine Lettuce, thinly sliced
Instructions:
- Prepare quick pickled red onions by combining ingredients and setting them aside to sit while putting everything else together.
- Prepare tzatziki by combining ingredients.
- Prepare chicken by shredding chicken, sprinkling with seasonings, and mixing well.
- Create your bowl by adding brown rice, chicken, tzatziki, romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, kalamata olives, and any other desired toppings, and enjoy!
2. Healthy Rotisserie Chicken Salad
Need easy lunch options? Look no further than this healthier rotisserie chicken salad recipe! This chicken salad is lightened-up by using less mayo and adding Greek yogurt for more protein. Red pepper and celery add a fresh crunch to this chicken salad, and a blend of spices and herbs provides plenty of flavors!
Serve this chicken salad on whole grain bread or pita with some romaine lettuce or spinach for a full meal, or with crackers for a filling snack.
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients:
- 3 Cups Rotisserie Chicken
- ½ Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
- ¼ Cup Avocado Mayo
- ¼ Small White Onion, finely chopped
- ½ Red Bell Pepper, finely chopped
- 3 Stalks Celery, finely chopped
- ¼ Cup Green Onions, sliced
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Ground Mustard
- 1 Tbsp Fresh Dill, rough chop Sea Salt, to taste
- Cracked Pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Combine ingredients in a medium bowl, mix well and enjoy!
- Save in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
3. Easy Rotisserie Chicken Lettuce Wraps
I love chicken lettuce wraps, but I don’t always love prep time. This easy rotisserie chicken lettuce wraps recipe uses rotisserie chicken to put lettuce wraps on the table in a matter of minutes! The simple peanut sauce is bright with flavor and gives a fresh twist to this classic recipe. If you can’t find radicchio, feel free to use whatever lettuce you have on hand. Enjoy these flavorful chicken lettuce wraps as an appetizer, lunch, or dinner!
Yields: 2 Servings
Ingredients:
Peanut Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Creamy Peanut Butter
- 1 Tbsp Sriracha
- 2 Tbsp Lime Juice
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce
Lettuce Wraps
- 2 Cups Shredded Rotisserie Chicken
- ½ small Red Bell Pepper, thinly sliced
- 4 Green Onions, thinly sliced
- 1 large head Radicchio, torn into leaves and sliced in half if needed
- 1 Lime, cut into wedges
- ¼ Cup Roasted Peanuts, rough chop
- Cilantro, rough chop
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine peanut sauce ingredients and whisk until smooth.
- On a plate, layer radicchio with chicken, bell pepper, green onions, peanut sauce, peanuts, cilantro, and green onions as desired. Enjoy!
I hope these delicious recipes make eating healthy on weeknights just a little easier. Be sure to let us know how you enjoyed these healthy rotisserie chicken recipes in the comments!
(1) “Meat, Poultry, and Fish: Picking Healthy Proteins” American Heart Associationi, 2017, https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/meat-poultry-and-fish-picking-healthy-proteins. Accessed 1 Jume, 2021.
