If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that a little prep goes a long way! It also makes life SO much easier…especially when it comes to figuring out what’s for lunch!

Enter: the good old rotisserie chicken! 😂

I’ve gotten into the habit of grabbing one at the grocery store once a week, pulling the meat off, chopping it up & keeping it in the fridge for Matt & me to use for lunches for Monday-Thursday. Nothing fancy, but having that chicken already ready in the fridge has been a huge game changer.

Lately, there are two lunches (or dinners, really) I’ve been making on repeat. One is a big batch of crispy chickpea & green goddess chicken pasta & the other is a ridiculously simple parmesan chicken & peas bowl.

Both are super easy, delicious & the best part? I typically eat them both cold! No reheating necessary!

Crispy Chickpea & Green Goddess Chicken Pasta

This one is SO good. Matt & I love this one!! Between the crispy seasoned chickpeas, kale, parm & green goddess dressing..it’s packed with flavor & requires minimal effort!

I make a big batch of this at once & it’s ready to grab whenever lunch time rolls around.

What You’ll Need:

●    8 oz fusilli bucati pasta
●    1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
●    Approximately 2 cups chopped rotisserie chicken
●    5 cups kale
●    ⅓ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
●    Green goddess dressing, to taste (I prefer Primal Kitchen)
●    Extra virgin olive oil
●    Garlic powder
●    Smoked paprika
●    Salt and pepper

How I Make It

1.    Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then pat them dry really well.
2.    Toss them with a drizzle of olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt & pepper.
3.    Pop them in the air fryer at 390°F for about 12–16 minutes until golden & crispy.
4.    Prepare the fusilli bucati according to the package directions.
5.    Once the pasta is finished.. drain it & rinse it under cold water. Then return it to the pot.
6.    Add the crispy chickpeas, kale, chopped rotisserie chicken & parmesan right into the pot with the pasta.
7.    Drizzle with green goddess dressing to your liking and mix everything together until well combined.
8.    Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate.

That’s it! One big batch for lunches for the week. I personally love eating this straight from the fridge cold. The kale stays nice and crispy too!

Lemon Parmesan Chicken & Peas

Okay.. this one might sound too simple & boring, but trust me!

This is my go-to when I need something quick & I don’t feel like putting much thought into lunch. The lemon & parm give it so much flavor & it only takes a few minutes to put together!

Unlike the pasta, I make this one by the serving. Unfortunately, I’ve never taken a picture of this one, usually because when I make it I’m in a rush, but it is sooo good!

What You’ll Need: (1 Serving)

●    ¾ cup chopped rotisserie chicken
●    1 cup peas (I use frozen microwaveable peas)
●    A small drizzle of extra virgin olive oil
●    A squeeze of fresh lemon juice, to taste
●    A sprinkle of Parmesan cheese
●    Salt
●    Pepper
●    Garlic powder

How I Make It

1.    Microwave the entire bag of peas according to the package directions.
2.    Add 1 cup of peas to a bowl with ¾ cup of chopped rotisserie chicken.
3.    Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil & squeeze in some fresh lemon juice.
4.    Season with salt, pepper & garlic powder to your liking.
5.    Finish with a sprinkle of parmesan, mix everything together & enjoy!

I just store the leftover peas in a container in the fridge so they’re ready for the next day. The first day the peas might be a little warm, but after that I typically eat the whole thing cold!

It’s simple, fresh & one of those lunches I never seem to get tired of.

A little prep goes a long way here! It doesn’t always have to be complicated & you don’t have to spend your entire Sunday meal prepping!

That’s a win in my book!

I keep everything refrigerated & plan to use all of the cooked chicken within 3-4 days.

If you have a favorite way to use leftover rotisserie chicken, I’d love to hear! I’m always looking for new ideas!! ☺️