Canned Chicken Recipes (2024)

Canned chicken Recipes are a versatile and affordable ingredient that can be used in a variety of meals. From soups and stews to casseroles and salads, canned chicken is a convenient way to add protein to your diet without breaking the bank.

Canned Chicken Recipes (1)

Be sure to check out all the canned chicken recipes below

Canned Chicken Recipes (2)

FAQs

Canned chicken is a great source of lean protein. It is low in calories and saturated fat, but high in essential vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus. Plus, it’s shelf-stable, so you can stock up on cans to have on hand when you need them.

Yes, you can can your own chicken at home! The process is relatively simple and doesn’t require too many specialized tools. To get started, you’ll need to purchase a pressure canner, jars, lids, and ground chicken or whole chickens. Make sure to follow the USDA recommendations for canned chicken. Follow this recipe on How to Make Canned Chicken Safely.

Yes, you can substitute canned chicken for real chicken in a recipe. However, the flavor and texture of the dish will be different compared to using fresh or cooked chicken, so it’s important to consider how it will affect the overall taste of the dish.

Additionally, if you’re using a recipe that calls for cooked chicken, make sure to rinse off any extra sodium or other additives from the canned version before adding it.

Canned chicken can be stored in a pantry or cupboard for up to two years. Once opened, transfer the chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

Rotisserie Chicken VS Canned Chicken

Why use Canned Chicken VS Rotisserie: Canned chicken is often an economical option compared to buying a rotisserie chicken. It is also easier to store and can be used in a variety of recipes. Canned chicken has had all the fat, skin, and bones removed, making it a lean choice for those watching their fat and calorie intake.

Rotisserie Chicken

Canned Chicken

  • Fresh already cooked Chicken.
  • Already Cooked.
  • Remove the Chicken From the Bone.
  • Already Chopped just open the can and rinse.
  • Good for 2-3 days store in the fridge.
  • Has a long shelf life of 18 months.

Tips for using canned chicken
  • Drain and rinse the chicken before using it in recipes to remove any excess sodium and improve the flavor.
  • Shred the chicken with a fork or chop it into small pieces before adding it to dishes for better distribution and texture.

Canned Chicken Recipes:

1: Million Dollar Chicken Casserole

Million Dollar Chicken Casserole has a creamy, rich sauce baked with tender pieces of chicken and then topped with buttery Ritz crackers, which makes this meal taste like a million bucks!

Replace the chicken with canned chicken to make this dish easier to prepare.

This easy-to-prepare dish is perfect for weeknight dinners. Canned chicken adds convenience and eliminates the need to cook and shred the chicken before adding it to the dish.
Ease up your meal prep time and give this easy-

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2:Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is loaded with veggies, shredded chicken, and a creamy sauce then topped with a flaky buttery biscuit. This easy weeknight chicken dinner is simply delicious. Using canned chicken

Canned Chicken Recipes (4)

3:White Chicken Enchilladas

White Chicken Enchiladas has tender shredded chicken with a creamy white enchilada sauce and then is topped with Monterey jack cheese and cilantro. This chicken enchilada recipe is made in under 30 minutes, and your whole family will go crazy over the flavor.

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4: Chicken Dorito Casserole

Dorito Chicken Casserole recipe combines rotisserie chicken or canned chicken, black beans, Rotel, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, taco seasoning, and of course Doritos to make the most creamy casserole you have ever tasted. Once you make this dish, you will be craving it time and time again! Even the pickiest kids love this dish!

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5: Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel

Chicken spaghetti with Rotel dinner has a creamy, cheesy sauce with tender bites of chicken and spicy Rotel tomatoes, all with a ranch flavor over al dente spaghetti. It’s sure to be a hit with your family and friends!

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6: Chicken Pot Pie Casserole

Instant Pot Chicken Potpie Casserolegives you the same flavor as a traditional pot pie, but without the pie crust, all the work, and less time cooking it.

Use Canned Chicken instead of chicken breast for this recipe for a budget-friendly easy recipe.

Canned Chicken Recipes (8)

7: Chili Nachos with homemade Queso

Chili Nachos with homemade queso is a spicy dish with shredded or canned chicken, jalapenos, and white beans, and then topped with avocado and cilantro. These cheesy chicken chili nachos will be a big hit at any party.

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8: Instant Pot White Chicken Chili

White Chicken Chili tastes as if it is flavored with a mixture of herbs and spices, giving it a savory and rich flavor. Additionally, the chili has a slightly spicy kick that can be experienced when consuming it.

Furthermore, the chili contains tender pieces of chicken you can use canned or fresh chicken, which add an additional layer of texture to the dish. Altogether, White Chicken Chili has a pleasant taste that will leave you wanting more.

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9: Chicken Pot Pie

Skillet chicken pot pie is a total comfort food recipe. A creamy, rich broth that is loaded with tender chicken and loads of veggies. Topped with a flaky crust that completes the dish.If you are a fan of homemade comfort foods, this pot pie recipe is exactly what you want.

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10: Canned Chicken Fritters

A simple 5-ingredient recipe for crispy chicken fritters or croquettes made with all-white canned chicken. Easily shape into smaller portions for kid-friendly homemade chicken nuggets

11:Classic Chicken Salad

A classic chicken salad recipe uses a few simple ingredients to create a cold, creamy salad filling for the perfect homemade chicken salad sandwich!

12:Pineapple Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Pineapple chicken salad sandwiches with sweet pineapple, red grapes, green onions, almonds, and celery all covered in a cream cheese dressing.

13:Canned Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe is the perfect easy appetizer to enjoy in the crockpot or oven! Filled with chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch and cheese for the ultimate Buffalo Chicken Dip to enjoy anytime!

14:Quick & Easy Chicken Flautas

TheseChicken Flautasare a quick and easydinnerrecipe that only takes 10 minutes to prepare! This flautas recipe uses cannedchicken(no one will ever know your secret!), dried seasonings, cream cheese, salsa, and shredded cheese for a fast dinner that everyone will love.

15: Crack Chicken Pinwheels

Crack Chicken Pinwheels – I am OBSESSED with these sandwiches! Cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, ranch, and canned chicken wrapped in a tortilla. So simple to make with rotisserie chicken and precooked bacon. Can make it ahead of time and refrigerate until ready to eat. Perfect for parties

16: 7 Can Chicken Taco Soup

Dinner does not get any easier than this7 Can Chicken Taco Soup! Dump 7 cans into a pot plus some seasonings and that’s it! Serve with tortilla chips, cheese, and sour cream. You won’t believe how yummy & easy it is.

17: Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets (Made with Canned Chicken)

Are you looking for canned chicken recipes to make? These oven-baked chicken nuggets are crispy, delicious, and simple to make!

18: Chicken Soup made with Costco canned chicken

Quick and Easy chicken noodle soup made with canned chicken from Costco. It’s been a hectic day and you don’t have much time to spend in the kitchen. But, your family deserves a tasty home-cooked meal. This easy version of chicken noodle soup is just what you need!

19: Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas

If you love the flavor of Buffalo wings then Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas are for you! Chicken, Buffalo sauce, and cheese in a grilled tortilla use canned chicken for a frugal easy meal!

20: Sunday Dinner Creamy Chicken Sandwiches

These are creamy and delicious shredded chicken sandwiches. This recipe holds well in a crock pot / slow cooker so they are perfect for carry in dinners, graduation parties, etc.

Canned chicken is an excellent ingredient to have on hand and can be used in so many recipes. Whether you’re whipping up a quick and easy dinner or meal prepping for the week, canned chicken is a convenient way to add protein to your meals. With these tips and a little creativity in the kitchen, you can enjoy delicious and budget-friendly meals any time.

Canned Chicken Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is canned chicken good for? ›

Canned chicken can be used for nearly every recipe. You could bake a batch of chicken pinwheels for a potluck or stir up a large pot of chicken noodle soup. The best part is that canned chicken can cut down your prep and cooking time. Feed your family fast with these simple canned chicken recipes.

How do you make canned chicken taste better? ›

In order to improve the taste of this canned protein, you need to add texture to it. For example, add cranberries and pecans to your next chicken salad for a textural boost. Toss your drained canned chicken in a bowl with mayonnaise, dried cranberries, pecans, and a scant amount of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.

Do you drain canned chicken before using? ›

Canned chicken is often used as a convenient substitute for fresh chicken in a variety of recipes but it's important to know how to cook with it to maximize flavor and texture. For instance, one common mistake is not draining or rinsing the chicken before use, which can result in a more processed taste.

Can I use canned chicken in place of chicken breast? ›

Since most canned chicken comes in around 12 ounces a can, I would roughly substitute 1 can (DRAINED) for every 2 small (6 to 8 ounce) cooked chicken breasts, but depending on the recipe, you can either, eyeball it, weigh it, or measure it in measuring cups.

Should I rinse canned chicken? ›

First, rinse the chicken to remove excess salt. After patting the chicken dry and seasoning it well, the creator cooked it in melted butter to add some fat until its color changed to a lightly caramelized brown. Then, they used it to make chicken quesadillas.

How do you eat chicken in a can? ›

You can definitely eat your canned chicken plain, but if you want to make it a bit more appealing, add some salt and pepper to the can, and maybe even sprinkle on some furikake or a few drops of your favorite hot sauce. Enjoy it with a fork, or spoon it into your mouth using chips or crackers.

How do you eat canned chicken at home? ›

Having home-canned chicken on your pantry shelf means you have easy last-minute meals at your fingertips. Use this chicken for a yummy chicken salad sandwich, season it up for chicken tacos, or even toss it with sauce and homemade egg noodles for a yummy pasta dish.

Why is canned chicken so pink? ›

The pink tint is just a natural feature of cooked chicken. According to the USDA, it is acceptable and almost expected for canned chicken to be a bit pinkish when the can is first cracked open. After being left to sit out for several minutes, the chicken should take on a less raw appearance.

Can you pan fry canned chicken? ›

The best method to fry canned chicken is to use a shallow pan or skillet filled with enough oil to submerge the chicken. Heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches around 350°F (175°C) and then carefully add the chicken pieces. Fry until golden brown and crispy, usually for about 2-3 minutes per side.

Why does canned chicken taste different? ›

The canning process tends to take away a lot of the original flavor and some of the firmness of the chicken. Including canned chicken in a pasta recipe would imbue the entire dish with the metallic taste and "essence" of the can, potentially overpowering the contribution of the other ingredients or the delicate sauce.

How come canned chicken doesn't go bad? ›

Canned meat is preserved in a way that allows it to sit on a shelf for an extended period of time, so naturally, there are some preservatives involved to ensure the meat doesn't go bad. Canned foods often get a bad reputation for being "unhealthy," but that's not always the case.

Can I eat canned chicken every day? ›

For the most part, yes. As quick-prep meals go, canned chicken is healthier than most pre-packaged options that tend to be loaded with junk. “Canned chicken is an excellent and convenient source of high-quality protein,” registered dietitian Jessica Levinson, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. explains.

Is canned chicken good in casseroles? ›

For an easy and delicious casserole, try this true comfort food made with canned or leftover cooked chicken, rice, and a simple sauce made with cheese, milk, and broth. Give it a little extra nutrition and color by tossing in some thawed and drained frozen vegetables, such as peas and carrots or broccoli.

Is canned chicken in water already cooked? ›

Enjoy a delicious shortcut to your favorite chicken dishes with Swanson® White Premium Chunk Canned Chicken Breast in Water. Our ready-to-eat, fully cooked chicken chunks contain no antibiotics or added MSG.

What liquid is in canned chicken? ›

The fluids are mostly water and salt that are used to preserve the chicken and keep it moist. They don't add much flavor or nutrition to your dish, and they may make it too watery or salty.

Is canned chicken just as healthy? ›

And while canned chicken can be problematic for those on low-sodium diets, it's similar to fresh chicken when it comes to nutritional value. Remember that a well-rounded diet is best, and there's room for both canned and fresh chicken in a healthy eating plan.

Can you eat canned chicken by itself? ›

Yes, you can eat canned chicken straight from the can. However, it's recommended to heat it up before consuming to enhance the flavor and ensure it's safe to eat.

Is canned chicken good to eat everyday? ›

While canned chicken can be both accessible and delicious, it's not something you want to eat every day. That's because excessive amounts of salt are added to most canned foods, including chicken.

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