Deboning Rotisserie Chicken Is A Breeze (If You Follow This Hot Tip)

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Store-bought rotisserie chicken is likely already a versatile staple of your regular meal rotation. You can fairly judge the quality of a store-bought rotisserie chicken based on its appearance and once you've picked the best, there's a lot you can do with it. As cookbook author Caroline Chambers told us, when working with a rotisserie chicken to include in other recipes, "The key is to shred it off the bones while it's still hot! It's much harder to do when it's cold."

Chambers also notes that the chicken pieces will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for about four days, giving you ample time to make the most out of the lean protein. While some recent viral hacks suggest placing the chicken in a sealable plastic bag and to essentially smash it apart, this is neither efficient nor effective. Carefully separating the meat from the bones while your rotisserie chicken is still hot is the most logical choice, since everything is still fairly pliable; once the chicken cools and the fats congeal, it's considerably more difficult.

Wear disposable gloves when working with the chicken, both for hygienic purposes and to add a layer of protection for your hands to avoid the risk of burns. As always, when working with any hot food, it's imperative to exercise extreme caution. From there, you can add the de-boned chicken to a number of delicious dishes.

There are many uses for pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, and deboning it while it's still hot will make your meal preparation go much more smoothly. If you want to use it right away, simply take the deboned chicken and mix it into a soup, stew, or chili to easily add more protein to your favorite recipes. For example, pieces of rotisserie chicken make an ideal addition to a comforting dish of white chicken chili that will keep you warm and satisfied all year long. It's also a great shortcut if you're working on a hearty batch of chicken soup.

Beyond soups, store-bought rotisserie chicken is also the key to easier homemade enchiladas. Whether you make them into traditional rolls or create a stacked enchilada casserole, this is a particularly helpful way to use up leftover deboned chicken. In fact, shredded rotisserie chicken can fast-track just about any casserole recipe imaginable while providing inspiration for new, creative casseroles using the leftover foods you have on hand.

Noshing on a portion of deboned rotisserie chicken can make a quick snack, especially since it's already seasoned and cooked. Enhance the flavor with your choice of hot sauce, a side of warmed-up frozen or canned vegetables, or a handful of shredded cheese. Using the chicken atop a microwaved package of chicken-flavored rice can also be a filling and enjoyable meal.