So many uses for that Rotisserie Chicken

I love Rotisserie Chicken:  Nothing like it on a busy day, dropping by Costco or the  super market and picking one up, then coming home to eat yummy warm juicy roasted chicken.

First chicken I ever ate was Christmas dinner in New Zealand, which for our family would be at the beach.  Yes, that's right.........Summer holidays begin at Christmas in New Zealand........and Chicken was a delicacy back in the  1950's  when factory farmed chickens and growth hormones were not used.  So for the special occasion of Christmas, we'd have chicken.  I know, its hard to believe, but in those days Lamb, Fish, Beef and Pork were more readily available.  Times sure have changed.

So, when I buy a Rotisserie chicken cheaper than a raw uncooked one, I really think I'm a winner.
I've come up with so many recipes for this delicious chicken, that I thought I'd share a few of them today.  I typically buy two cooked chickens at a time.  We eat enough for a meal while its hot, then
de-bone and store in individual portions, the rest, in zip lock bags and freeze.

 Chicken Quesadillas

Flour tortillas
Grated Cheese
1 onion, sliced
oil to coat the pan
cooked, cut up chicken
BBQ sauce

Cut up the onions and saute them in a frying pan with the oil until translucent - about 5 mins
Lay out the tortillas
Spread the BBQ sauce on half the tortilla, spread the chicken, cheese and onions on the same half, and fold over the other half.

Either broil in the oven on a large cookie sheet, or gently fry in a frying pan until the cheese melts and tortilla begins to brown a little.

Serve with sour cream and fresh cilantro.

 Chicken Salad

2 c chunked cold cooked chicken
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 apple, chopped
You can also use seedless grapes, or canned pineapple DO NOT USE FRESH as it will decompose the chicken and turn it into tiny granules
1/2 c dried cranberries
1/2 c walnuts or pecans, chopped
1/2 c salad dressing (Miracle whip style)
1/2 tsp curry powder (optional)
1 green onion, chopped (optional)

Prepare all of the ingredients and mix together well in a large bowl.  Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator with plastic wrap to cover.  If using curry powder, keeping it in the fridge for a while will help develop the flavor.

Chinese Chicken Salad

2 c cut up cooked chicken
1 romaine lettuce or 1/2  cabbage chopped
pea pods, about a handful or frozen peas thawed
2 celery stalks, diced
1 carrot, grated
2 green onions, diced
2 oranges, pealed, de-seeded and chunked or canned mandarin orange segments, drained.
Sprinkling of sliced almonds
12 Wonton wrappers, sliced into strips and deep fried in oil until pale beige in color.
 Remove and drain on a paper towel.

Dressing:
1/4 c fresh orange, lime or lemon juice
1 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
1 tsp dark sesame oil
1 Tbsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp powdered ginger
pinch of garlic powder
1 Tbsp honey

 Or use any of your favorite Asian inspired dressings.
Mix all the salad ingredients .  Serve the Wontons and dressing on the side.
  If using cabbage the dressing can be mixed in earlier.

I have many more Rotisserie chicken recipes for another blog.
Happy Adventures in Food to you.