Want to save time in your kitchen and get creative with Canned Chicken? Here are 23 easy canned chicken recipes to turn this popular protein into something amazing! It’s even more versatile than canned tuna. From Buffalo Chicken Dip to hearty Chicken Taco Soup to cheesy Chicken Casseroles, these recipes are quick to prepare for breakfast, lunch, and weeknight dinner.
If canned chicken isn’t already in your pantry, I suggest adding it to the list as it’s versatile, delicious, and affordable. Best of all, it cuts your cooking time in half. Low in fat and high in protein, the canned chicken is great for recipes from breakfast delights to fresh and colorful salads to satisfying dinners like quesadillas.
Canned chicken is a lifesaver on busy days when you are out of fresh chicken and forgot to take the frozen one from the freezer.
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Meals You Can Make with Canned Chicken
Although you can eat canned chicken on its own, it tastes so much better when you cook it with other ingredients, taking away that “canned” flavor.
Ever wonder what you can make with canned chicken? There are endless ways to enjoy these canned chunk chicken. Simple ingredients can mix and match into healthy and delicious recipes. To get you started, I’m sharing the best canned chicken recipes below. It’s totally a game changer!
- Chicken Casserole
- Chicken Fried Rice
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Chicken Noodle Soup
- 7-Can Chicken Taco Soup
- Chicken and Dumplings
- Easy Chicken Quesadillas
- Chicken Alfredo
Is Canned Chicken Healthy?
Yes! Canned chicken is comparable to freshly cooked chicken in nutritional value as the protein was not lost during the canning process. So choose the one with low sodium for the healthiest option.
Pro Tips: To make canned chicken healthier, you can drain and rinse it thoroughly before adding to your dish!
- Canned Chicken Sandwiches
- Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry
- Chicken Macaroni Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza
- Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Southern Canned Chicken Salad
- BBQ Chicken Burritos
Canned Chicken Brands
There are a number of brands of canned chicken available in the U.S. Some have higher quality than others. My favorite is Kirkland brand (see the photo above) and their meats are top-notch. You can buy them at your local supermarket or order online from Amazon. Here are the 4 most commonly available brands:
- Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast
- HORMEL Premium Chunk Chicken
- Swanson Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast
- Keystone Meats All Natural Canned Chicken
Can You Eat Canned Chicken without Cooking?
Yes, canned chicken is fully cooked and you can add it to your plate directly. It has some “canned flavor” like canned tuna, so it’s best to add some seasonings such as taco seasoning to get rid of the canned taste.
Can I Use the Juice from Canned Chicken?
For most recipes, you’ll need to drain and rinse the chunk chicken breast, but you can save the juice and dilute with water as a substitute for chicken broth.
- Chicken Salad Rollups: (See recipe below!)
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Enchilada Chicken Skillet
- BBQ Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Sliders
- Asian Chicken Lettuce Wrap
- 8 Can Chicken Chili
- Lemon Chicken Pasta
Pro Tip: You can always substitute leftover chicken or cooked chicken for canned chunk chicken.
What to Make With Canned Chicken: Chicken Salad Roll-ups
My favorite way to use canned chicken is in a quick and easy salad. These chicken salad roll-ups are full of flavor and are a perfect summer dinner recipe. My kids love them so much especially because the delicious salad are rolled up in pinwheel shapes. They’re loaded with tender chicken and healthy veggies in a creamy sauce.
Tips
- Drain and rinse the canned chicken thoroughly. Then shred them with two forks or using your hands.
- You can substitute sour cream for the yogurt if you like.
- Use the ripe avocado for the best results. Tips: if the avocado yields to firm gentle pressure, then it’s ripe and ready-to-eat.
- I use red bell pepper, red onions and green onions for a colorful combination, but you can substitute other veggies.
- These roll-ups taste best the day you make it, but they’ll last up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
With all these canned chicken recipes, you’ll find yourself get the delicious meal on the table in no time.
More Chicken Recipes You’ll Like
Canned Chicken Recipes: Chicken Salad Roll-ups (+VIDEO)
Ingredients
- 2 cans canned chicken (12.5 oz each)
- 1 medium avocado peeled and pitted
- 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- salt to taste
- 1/2 medium red onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 2 tablespoons green onion minced
- 3/4 cup shredded cheese swiss or cheddar
- 1 tablespoon parsley chopped
- 4-6 flour tortillas 8-inch size
Instructions
- Place the peeled avocado on a plate. Mash with a fork to the desired consistency.
- In a mason jar or medium bowl, add avocado, lime juice, yogurt, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk to mix well (If you use a mason jar, you can cover with the lid and shake to mix.)
- Drain and rinse the canned chicken thoroughly. Then shred them with two forks or using your hands.
- In a large bowl, add shredded chicken, red onion, bell pepper, green onion, parsley, and shredded cheese.
- Add the avocado mixture, and stir to mix until blended.
- Place tortillas on a work surface, one at a time.
- Spread a layer of chicken avocado mixture on top of a tortilla.
- Roll up the tortilla holding it together tightly with your fingertips. Then slice the roll into 1-inch pieces with a sharp knife.
- Repeat for remaining tortillas. Store in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
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Nutrition
Editor note: Originally published May 7, 2020 and updated Feb 2, 2021.
I love those recipes – never thought of using canned chicken. My only experience with it was tasteless cubes of something but it may be good time to try out one of your recipes. Good alternative to when we have no fresh chicken at hand 🙂
Hi Monika, glad you like this recipe. Thanks for letting me know.
I would use organic, God knows what they put in cans! But great selection of recipes. you just gave me some ideas!
Hi Mihaela, you can use the leftover chicken to make these recipes.
I love these recipes thanks for sharing