How a chef turns Costco’s $5 rotisserie chicken into a week of easy meals at home

I’m still on the baked-feta-pasta trend from a few years ago.

I prefer using a block of Lifeway Farmer soft cheese instead of feta because it’s got a milder flavor and softer texture. Plus, it gets even meltier and creamier in the oven.

After preheating my oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, I cook my cheese and fresh cherry tomatoes or whole canned tomatoes in a small baking dish.

I leave them in the oven until the tomatoes burst and become sweet and saucy and the cheese is just turning golden on top. Then, I toss in cooked pasta and my diced or shredded rotisserie chicken.

The white meat from the Costco rotisserie chicken is easy to chop into cubes for a classic creamy chicken salad.

I toss the meat with mayonnaise or plain Greek yogurt and add any salty or crunchy bits I have in the fridge, such as diced pickles or pepperoncini, celery, or bell peppers. I also like to add something sweet, like sliced grapes or chopped dried fruit.

Then, I serve the salad on toasted sandwich bread, crackers, or sturdy romaine-lettuce cups.

There’s nothing like a build-you-own-bowl dinner for a low-lift meal that makes everyone happy.

First, I’ll make a batch of rice or another grain. If I’m short on time, I’ll heat a packet of Somos Mexican street-corn rice in the microwave.

Then, I toss diced rotisserie chicken in salsa to dress it up and lay out assorted toppings. Everyone can add their own beans, guacamole, cheese, veggies, and cilantro to their bowls for a Chipotle-style experience right at home.

A loaded baked potato is super easy and cheap to make.

I stick a potato (or sweet potato) in a 400-degree oven for 40 minutes to an hour until it’s easy to pierce with a fork.

If you’re in a pinch, you can skip the oven and put the potato in the microwave for a few minutes — just be sure to pierce it all over with a fork beforehand.

Then I slice the potato down the center, fluff up its insides, and season it with softened butter, salt, and pepper.

From there, I add my favorite toppings — usually diced rotisserie chicken, sour cream, hot sauce, and any herbs I have on hand.

A quesadilla is one of my favorite three-ingredient lunches: tortilla, cheese, and hot sauce. Sometimes, I use bread instead of tortillas and make a grilled cheese.

If I have a rotisserie chicken on hand, I’ll dice it up and add it as a filling for extra protein.

At the end of the week, don’t toss the chicken bones and skin. Instead, use it to make a homemade broth.

Place the chicken carcass in a large pot with a halved onion, a few carrots, and celery stalks.

Cover everything with water and simmer for about four hours. Strain the bits out, and you have delicious broth to sip or turn into soup.

This story was originally published on July 23, 2024, and most recently updated on January 16, 2025.