These easy Canned Chicken Recipes are a convenient way to quickly get dinner on the table. Chicken in a can is quick, affordable, and you can use it in different recipes. For busy families, that's a huge win!
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Why Make Chicken Recipes
There are so many easy meals that you can make with chicken. Combine simple ingredients with chicken, and you can have a quick meal that even picky eaters will love. It works for elegant meals or busy weeknight schedules.
Chicken from a container is an excellent protein option. It tastes just as good as fresh chicken and is so versatile! It is a great item to keep in your pantry because it saves time and money.
This chunk chicken breast is an excellent substitute for cooked shredded chicken and can be used in almost any quick and easy dinner recipe. We love using it to make this cheesy chicken soup and this chicken ravioli in minutes.
- Great Protein Source. You can use this meat in sandwiches, wraps, buffalo chicken dip, or top salads and pasta recipes. It's a great way to add protein to your dinner recipes when you don't have time to cook something from scratch.
- Saves Time. Pull it out of the pantry and make an easy dinner in 20 minutes. This is much quicker than cooking from scratch or taking the time to thaw and cook a whole bird.
- Short Prep Time. All you have to do is open and drain the meat before using it. Rotisserie meat from the grocery store may already be cooked, but pulling everything off the bones takes time. And sometimes you don't want to deal with that mess when making an easy meal.
- Saves You Money. It is a cheap pantry item to keep stocked. One of the best ways to save money is by making dinner at home using ingredients from your pantry instead of going out to eat.
Benefits of Using Chicken in a Can
- Precooked. Saves you time in the kitchen. Just open the can of chicken and combine it with your favorite ingredients.
- Already boneless, skinless, and shredded. Less mess and fuss to deal with.
- Cans of chicken have a shelf life of 3 years. Once opened, it does need to be refrigerated and used within 3 days.
- Best when added to a recipe. Add a handful of ingredients like cheeses, taco seasoning, alfredo sauce, or enchilada sauce to make various recipes.
- Extremely convenient for quick lunches or last-minute meals.
- Not as salty as rotisserie chicken so you can control the sodium intake.
- You are always able to find it at your local grocery store.
BruCrew Tip - You can reduce the sodium in your canned chicken by rinsing and straining it after opening.
Great Alternatives to Canned Chicken
You can still make easy dinners without using canned chicken. Most chicken recipes need precooked chicken. Here are some other easy ways to prepare chicken.
- Rotisserie Chicken - These whole chickens can be bought at your grocery store already seasoned and cooked up. Pull the meat off the bone and add it to your favorite recipe.
- Instant Pot Chicken - This is a great way to prepare frozen chicken breasts in an instant pot for your favorite meal.
- Crockpot Chicken - Prepare the meat in a slow cooker and use it in a recipe.
- Grilled Chicken - Fire up the grill and cook the chicken breasts. Finely dice them after they are cooked to add them to recipes.
- Baked Chicken - Bake up chicken tenderloins to add to your favorite side dish.
- Leftover Chicken - Using leftover chicken from a previous meal is a great way to have chicken on hand for your next recipe idea.
These popular choices can be used in almost every recipe for shredded chicken. It comes down to what you prefer and what you have on hand. This easy protein provides nutrition and convenience for our busy lifestyle. For that reason, it is one of our pantry staples.
Storage Recommendations
As a general rule once canned chicken is opened, you should store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
You can freeze canned chicken. Simply open the can and drain the liquid. Place the chicken in a freezer-safe bag or container and freeze for up to 3 months.
FAQs
Yes, this is real meat. This is usually white chicken that has simply been sealed in a can like tuna. This can be a more affordable way to eat protein, and it works great in recipes calling for chicken.
No, it is actually already cooked. You could eat it right out of the can or add it to your favorite recipes. This is a time saver since you do not need to precook the meat.
All chicken is high in protein and has zero carbs. This is an excellent choice for low-carb diet plans or building lean muscle.
If the can is not opened it has a shelf life of a few years. Once it is opened it can be stored in the refrigerator in a different container for 3-4 days.
Chunk white meat is slightly higher in sodium than raw or uncooked meat. One way to reduce the sodium from the can is to drain and rinse it before adding it to your favorite recipes. However, this will reduce some of the flavor as well.
What to Make with Canned Chicken
Here are some of our tried and true recipes using chicken from a can to help you get dinner on the table faster. You will find everything from appetizers to casseroles, soups, and many other delicious ideas.
Canned Chicken Recipes
There are so many ways to use canned chicken for simple dinner recipes. Here are some great ways to use that simple protein.
Cheesy Chicken Pasta
This Cheesy Chicken Pasta is an easy meal that you can make in under 30 minutes. Gooey cheese, pasta, and chicken will have everyone licking their plates clean.
BBQ Chicken & Avocado Quesadillas
Cheese quesadillas filled with barbecue chicken and avocado chunks makes a great easy dinner recipe. This meal always disappears in our house.
Easy Nacho Chicken Ravioli Skillet
This Easy Nacho Chicken Ravioli Skillet is made with 5 ingredients and is ready to eat in 30 minutes. It is an easy skillet recipe that will get two thumbs up from everyone.
Cheesy Chicken Sliders
Need a quick and easy meal or appetizer? Add these Cheesy Chicken Sliders to your menu and watch everyone devour the chicken sliders when you place them on the table. These easy rolls come together quickly with a chicken and veggie mixture, Hawaiian rolls, and lots of gooey cheese.
BLT Chicken Braid
This BLT Chicken Braid is a great lunch or easy dinner idea for busy days. Bacon, lettuce, and tomato always gets smiles around our dinner table.
Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip
Grab a box of crackers or a bag of celery and get ready to dig into this Easy Buffalo Chicken Dip. Chunks of chicken in a creamy, cheesy dip will have everyone going back for more.
Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Pizza Recipe
Enjoy spicy buffalo chicken and melted cheese on a low carb cauliflower crust for your next family pizza night. This easy Buffalo Chicken Cauliflower Pizza is a delicious choice for anyone that is eating keto or low carb.
Chicken BLT Ranch Pizza Recipe
Tomatoes, bacon, and lettuce add a fun summer flair to this easy Chicken BLT Ranch Pizza. It's a great appetizer or dinner for summer picnics.
Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls
A pan of these Buffalo Chicken Pizza Rolls are the perfect appetizer to make for weekend snacking or game day parties. These little pizza bites are spicy, cheesy, and so easy to make.
Cheesy Chicken Soup
A pot of this Cheesy Chicken Soup can be on your dinner table in under 40 minutes. This easy soup recipe is loaded with noodles, chicken, and veggies. It is the perfect meal on a cold, winter night.
Chicken Alfredo Calzones
These easy Chicken Alfredo Calzones are great for dinner time with soup or for snacking on during the big game.
Fiesta Nacho Chicken Casserole
Spicy cheese soup and tomatoes give this Fiesta Nacho Chicken Bake a new and delicious flavor. It's a great comfort food dinner to warm you up on cold days.
Spicy Chicken and Rice Soup
This easy Spicy Chicken and Rice Soup is loaded with meat, veggies, and rice. Great 30 minute dinner recipe for cold busy nights!
Buffalo Chicken Chips - Disney Copycat Recipe
A plate of these Buffalo Chicken Chips is the perfect snack to munch on. Crunchy kettle chips topped with buffalo chicken, veggies, and bleu cheese crumbles makes a great "build your own appetizer" for game days or movie nights.
Spinach Artichoke Chicken Biscuits
Spinach artichoke dip made with chicken and baked in a biscuit for an easy and filling dinner.
Chicken and Broccoli Pizza Rolls
Chicken, cheese, and broccoli wrapped in an easy pizza crust makes a great snack after school or an easy dinner on busy nights.
Buffalo Chicken Pepper Nachos
Make a sheet pan of these Buffalo Chicken Pepper Nachos and dig in while you enjoy your favorite show or sports team. This easy low carb appetizer comes together in minutes and tastes amazing.
Chicken Noodle Soup
This easy Chicken Noodle Soup is great for those cooler days. It is easy to have on the dinner table in 30 minutes.
Sweet and Spicy Chicken Salad Crescent Bites
Chicken salad and melted cheese inside a little Pillsbury Crescent Roll cup makes a delicious little appetizer. These Sweet and Spicy Chicken Salad Crescent Bites will disappear in a hurry when you bring them to game day parties.
Buffalo Chicken Totchos
Combine your love for tater tots with your favorite buffalo chicken dip. These Buffalo Chicken Totchos are a delicious and satisfying appetizer. Perfect for game day parties.
Quick & Easy Chicken Flautas
These Chicken Flautas are a quick and easy dinner recipe that only take 10 minutes to prepare! This flautas recipe uses canned chicken (no one will ever know your secret!), dried seasonings, cream cheese, salsa, and shredded cheese for a fast dinner that everyone will love.
BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza
This easy BLT Chicken Alfredo French Bread Pizza is loaded with meat, cheese, and veggies and can be on the table in under 20 minutes. Perfect dinner for busy nights.
Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole (One-Pot Recipe!)
This creamy chicken and rice casserole is a fast and healthy 30-minute meal made right on the stove top, making it a favorite one-pot dinner that feeds a family of four for under $10.
Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe #glutenfree #lowcarb #keto
Keto Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets made with canned chicken are well-seasoned and crispy outside with no breading! You won’t believe how easy they are to make in just 20 minutes. And using canned chicken means these nuggets are budget-friendly too!
Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole with Stove Top
This Easy Chicken and Stuffing Casserole with Stove Top is made with just 4 ingredients including seasoned shredded chicken, cream of chicken soup, milk, and Stove Top stuffing.
Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole (+Video)
This Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole is made with egg noodles, chicken breast, a creamy, tasty filling and topped with buttered bread crumbs!
Easy Mini Chicken Pot Pies (4 Ingredients!)
Pillsbury biscuits stuffed full of a delicious mixture of canned chicken, frozen mixed veggies, and a can of soup, baked in a muffin pan to create handheld mini chicken pot pies.
Buffalo Chicken Sliders
Looking for the perfect slider recipe? One bite of these Buffalo Chicken Sliders and the search will be over. These shredded chicken sliders are the perfect blend of spicy and cheesy. Get ready to jazz up dinner, parties, or game days with this easy chicken slider recipe.
Buffalo Chicken Salad Recipe
Spice up your dinner with this easy Buffalo Chicken Salad. This delicious and creamy buffalo salad can be made in minutes with just a few ingredients. Plus, it makes delicious sandwiches for parties and potlucks!
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole is classic comfort food! The simple dish combines tender pasta with chicken and vegetables in a creamy, cheesy sauce. It’s an easy dinner that you can make in advance, or a delicious meal to bring to a friend in need!
Easy Canned Chicken Salad Recipe
This Canned Chicken Salad recipe is easy to make in less than 10 minutes! It's creamy like tuna salad and seasoned simply with seasoned salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder.
Easy Healthy Chicken Enchilada Recipe - Healthy Recipes Made Simple
Looking for an option to eat clean AND enjoy the Mexican food you love? This Healthy Chicken Enchilada Recipe loaded with Salsa Verde is the perfect solution! At only 9 net carbs, you can indulge on this amazing dish.
Mexican Chicken Casserole
Layers of juicy shredded chicken, crunchy crushed tortilla chips, savory black beans, and rich roasted tomatoes, tied together with deliciously melty cheese. It’s a total crowd pleaser!
Chicken Crust Pizza | Wholesome Yum | Easy healthy recipes. 10 ingredients or less.
You'll love this chicken crust pizza - just 4 ingredients! Top it with alfredo sauce, spinach, onions & cheese for an easy low carb dinner.
Easy Tasty Chicken Tinga Tacos
Easy tasty chicken tinga tacos is one of my proudest "what can I make with the ingredients in my pantry?" recipe inventions to date.
Mexican Chicken Tater Tot Casserole
This Easy Mexican Chicken Tater Tot Casserole is loaded with chicken, tomatoes, cheese, and tater tots. It is a cheesy comfort food meal that will have your family licking their plates clean.
Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole
This cheesy dinner casserole is made with simple ingredients including canned chicken, Instant rice, and frozen broccoli, making it extra lazy for busy weeknight meals.
Chicken Chil
Quick and simple Chicken Chili combines shredded chicken, beans, Rotel and corn into a creamy, seasoned chili in just 20 minutes!
Chicken Nacho Supreme Skillet
Chicken, beans, corn, and nacho toppings turn this VELVEETA Cheesy Skillet into a delicious nacho experience.
Monterey Chicken Enchiladas
These Monterey Chicken Enchiladas are full of barbecue chicken, tomatoes, and cheese. Great dinner recipe for busy nights.
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*This post was first written in October 2021. It was updated and republished in August 2023.
Sar
This is a great list of new ideas to me. Definitely will try quite a few. Thanks so much.
ann
Just wanted you to know, today i discovered sooooo many things to do with canned chicken!!!! Thanks to finding your awesome site i plan on shopping for tons of things for your recipes. I have to make some changes, ONLY because of type 1 diabetes.....but the recipes look perfect, just like they are.....