Today I’m sharing how I turn one Costco rotisserie chicken into three easy family meals, plus homemade chicken broth, to save time and money all week.
If you’re a Costco member, you know that one of the very best values they have is their rotisserie chicken. You’re getting a fully cooked 3-pound chicken for just $4.99, and it’s an awesome deal.
Today I’m sharing three meals I make for my family from just one Costco rotisserie chicken. If you’re looking for an easy way to save money and make dinner a little easier, this is one of my favorite kitchen shortcuts.
Why Costco Rotisserie Chickens Are Such a Great Deal
When you break it down, Costco rotisserie chickens are the best deal. They’re hands down both bigger and cheaper than rotisserie chickens at Walmart or regular grocery stores. And they even end up cheaper than buying a raw chicken!
It’s one of the reasons we continue to keep our Costco membership. It’s incredibly convenient, and while Costco may lose money on the chickens, they know they’ll get us in the store to buy other things too!
A Few Rotisserie Chicken Tips
Before we get to the recipes, here are just a couple tips to keep in mind!
Shred the Chicken While It’s Warm
If you’re planning to use your rotisserie chicken in recipes, I highly recommend shredding it as soon as you get home.
When it’s still warm, the meat practically slides right off the bones. Once it’s been refrigerated, it’s still fine, but it definitely takes more work.
From one Costco rotisserie chicken, I can get right around 6 cups of shredded chicken, which works out perfectly because each recipe I’m sharing today uses about 2 cups.
Don’t worry if there’s still a little meat left on the bones. I actually leave a little behind because I use the carcass to make homemade chicken broth.
Use the Chicken Carcass to Make a Simple Chicken Broth
One of my favorite ways to stretch a rotisserie chicken even further is by making homemade chicken broth.
Here’s all I use:
- Chicken carcass
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 celery stalks
- 2 carrots
- Salt and pepper
I put everything into a large pot, bring it to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer and let it cook for several hours. Once it’s finished, I strain everything out and have delicious homemade chicken broth ready to use.
Now let’s turn that chicken into some easy meals – three of my favorite budget friendly family recipes!
See me make all three easy rotisserie chicken recipes here.
Meal #1: Easy Chicken Enchiladas
For these enchiladas, I start by mixing together:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- Monterey Jack cheese (or mozzarella)
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt
- Pepper
The original recipe calls for adobo seasoning, but I usually don’t have that on hand. Chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper work just fine, so use what you have.
The Creamy Sauce
For the sauce, I make a quick roux with butter and flour, then stir in:
- Chicken broth
- Sour cream
- One small can of diced green chilies
My kids don’t love the little pieces of green chilies, so I usually blend the sauce until it’s smooth. That’s completely optional, but it works well for our family.
Fill about 10 tortillas with the chicken mixture, place them in a 9×13 baking dish, pour the sauce over the top, then sprinkle with plenty of cheese.
Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes. If you’d like a little more color on top, pop it under the broiler for a minute or two at the end.
These are always a family favorite.
Meal #2: Chicken and Cheese Stuffed Biscuits
This recipe is one of our favorites because it’s so simple and easy to eat.
Start by making another quick roux with:
- Butter
- Flour
- A pinch of salt
This time, instead of chicken broth, add milk to make a creamy sauce.
Once it has thickened, stir in:
- Shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
- 2 cups shredded chicken
Open one can of refrigerated biscuits (8 biscuits total). Flatten each biscuit, spoon some of the chicken mixture into the middle, then pinch the edges together really well so the filling stays inside while baking.
Bake according to the biscuit package directions until golden brown.
For most families, one batch is plenty. Since we’re feeding a family of eight now, I usually double the recipe if I’m serving it for dinner.
These are perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a grab-and-go meal.
Meal #3: Easy Chicken Noodle Soup
Since the chicken is already cooked and the broth is already made, this simple soup comes together so quickly.
Start by sautéing:
- Celery
- Carrots
- Onion
Keep them sautéing in a little butter until they’re soft.
Meanwhile, bring your homemade chicken broth to a boil and cook your egg noodles. I usually cook the noodles about a minute less than the package directions since they’ll continue cooking in the soup.
Once the noodles are ready, stir in:
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- The sautéed vegetables
Let everything simmer for just a couple of minutes, then it’s ready to serve. Having the chicken and broth already prepared makes this such a quick and easy meal!
One Chicken, Three Family Meals
So just to summarize, one Costco rotisserie chicken gave me:
- Homemade chicken broth
- 6 cups of shredded chicken, to use in:
For just $4.99, it’s hard to beat that value!
If you’re already making regular Costco trips, I definitely recommend grabbing a rotisserie chicken and stretching it into several meals throughout the week.
I’d love to hear from you! What’s your favorite thing to make with a Costco rotisserie chicken? Do you eat it as-is for dinner, or do you like to shred it and use it in recipes? Let me know in the comments!
