Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Recipe

A creamy, easy way to turn last night’s chicken into tonight’s comfort food

You know those evenings when dinner needs to happen, but your brain is just… done? That’s exactly where this leftover rotisserie chicken pasta recipe comes in. It’s cozy, creamy, and feels like something you’d order at a little Italian spot — except it’s made with what’s already in your fridge.

The idea came to me after one too many “What do I do with this chicken?” nights. You buy a rotisserie chicken thinking it’ll solve dinner (and it does), but then the leftovers just sit there. This pasta is my favorite way to give them a second life — warm, melty, and wrapped in garlicky cream sauce. My kind of magic.

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Recipe: Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s easy. One pan, one pot of pasta, and you’re set.
• Budget-friendly. Uses leftover chicken and basic pantry ingredients.
• Pure comfort. Creamy, cheesy, and totally satisfying.
• Flexible. Toss in spinach, mushrooms, peas — whatever needs using.

Ingredients For Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Recipe

• Shredded leftover rotisserie chicken
• Pasta (penne, rigatoni, shells — anything goes)
• Butter
• Onion, chopped
• Garlic, minced
• Chicken broth
• Heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper
• Optional: baby spinach or frozen peas
• Garnish: fresh parsley, extra Parmesan

Tips & Little Mistakes to Avoid

• Don’t skip the garlic. It makes the whole dish smell like home.
• Go easy on the salt until the end. Parmesan and broth can be salty already.
• Save that pasta water! It’s a secret weapon if your sauce needs thinning.
• Use what you have. No cream? Use half-and-half or even a mix of milk and a little cream cheese. No penne? Elbows or fusilli are great too.

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Recipe: Easy Variations to Try

There’s no one way to make a cozy leftover rotisserie chicken pasta — that’s the beauty of it. You can tweak it based on what’s in your fridge, your mood, or your family’s favorites. Here are a few easy, delicious variations to keep things interesting:

Creamy Garlic Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta
Add an extra clove of garlic and a splash more cream. It’s rich, comforting, and perfect for garlic lovers (raises hand).

Veggie-Packed Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Recipe
Toss in chopped spinach, mushrooms, or roasted broccoli. It’s a great way to stretch the meal and sneak in some extra goodness.

One-Pot Recipe for Leftover Rotisserie Chicken and Pasta
Want fewer dishes? Let the pasta simmer right in the sauce with the chicken — one pan, all the flavor.

Spicy Pasta with Leftover Rotisserie Chicken
A few red pepper flakes or a spoonful of buffalo sauce can give this dish a bold little kick. (Craving more heat?

Cheesy Baked Leftover Rotisserie Chicken with Pasta
Mix everything in a baking dish, top with mozzarella or extra Parmesan, and bake until bubbly. It turns your rotisserie chicken leftover pasta into a crowd-pleasing bake.

Quick Rotisserie Chicken Leftover Pasta Salad
In warmer months, skip the creamy sauce. Just toss cooked pasta with shredded chicken, olive oil, lemon juice, and some fresh herbs. It’s light, fresh, and picnic-ready.

Want even more ideas? These 12 rotisserie chicken pasta recipes from AllRecipes are full of quick and delicious twists for any night of the week.

Let Me Know If You Try It

I hope this rotisserie chicken leftover pasta brings a little warmth to your evening. If you give it a try — or make it your own with a twist — I’d genuinely love to hear how it turns out. Drop a comment, send a photo, or just quietly enjoy it with a glass of wine. You’ve earned it.

Cozy Leftover Rotisserie Chicken Pasta Recipe

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• Author: Elyse
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

A cozy, creamy weeknight pasta dish made with leftover rotisserie chicken, a splash of cream, and plenty of Parmesan.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups shredded leftover rotisserie chicken
• 8 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, shells — anything goes)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1–2 handfuls baby spinach or frozen peas
• Garnish: fresh parsley, extra Parmesan

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Instructions

1. Bring a big pot of salted water to a boil. Cook your pasta until just al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving about ½ cup of the pasta water.
2. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
   

   

3. Pour in the chicken broth and stir, scraping up any bits from the pan. Add the cream, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Let simmer gently for 3–5 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Stir in the shredded chicken. Add spinach or peas if using. Warm everything through.
   

   

5. Add the drained pasta and toss to coat. Use pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
   

   

6. Season with salt and black pepper. Serve warm, garnished with parsley and more Parmesan.

Notes

Great for using up leftover rotisserie chicken. Feel free to swap in different veggies or pasta shapes.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 520
• Sugar: 3g
• Sodium: 580mg
• Fat: 29g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 38g
• Fiber: 2g
• Protein: 28g
• Cholesterol: 105mg

Keywords: chicken pasta, creamy chicken, rotisserie chicken recipe, easy dinner