When you have no time to make a meal from scratch but you still want to eat something delicious, canned chicken can be a real life-saver. Pre-cooked and protein-dense, this one ingredient makes it so easy to whip up just about any chicken dish in no time.
Use shredded canned chicken in tacos, toss them into a warm soup, prepare a healthy chicken salad, or make a keto-friendly chicken pizza, your options are endless! To get you started, here’s a curated list of 30 delicious canned chicken recipes you cannot miss out on.
While some of these recipes use fresh chicken breast or thigh, you can easily substitute it with canned chicken. Just make sure you rinse the canned chicken thoroughly and adjust the amount of salt needed.
#1. Canned Chicken Tacos
This simple 4-ingredient recipe promises a meal that will have you wanting more! Chicken, tomatoes with green chilies, chicken broth, and taco seasoning, that’s all you need to create these heavenly tacos!
Easy to assemble, these tacos can be made in 15 minutes — perfect when hosting a party or a backyard barbeque.
#2. Homemade Chicken Fritters
With only 5 ingredients, you can make deliciously crispy chicken fritters! The Dijon mustard adds a pop of acidity, and you can season this with whichever spics you like.
You can shape them however you like, from tiny nuggets for kids to larger, burger-sized patties for a filling dinner. The best thing? You can simply pop them in the freezer and have a batch ready for whenever you need them!
#3. Chicken Noodle Soup
Is there a more wholesome comfort meal than chicken noodle soup? While worth the effort, sometimes you just have no time to make it from scratch, no matter how much you’re craving it. Well, this recipe can help!
In just 30 minutes, you can enjoy a pot of delicious soup made with canned chicken and other ingredients you probably already have in our pantry. It is healthy, tasty, and, most importantly, easy to make.
#4. Warm Chicken Salad
This is the perfect meal to have after a long day. The canned chicken is tossed in a pan with sauteed onions, garlic, ginger, celery, and a handful of spices. Top it up with chopped walnuts and sesame seeds for a nice crunch. Snack on it with some crackers or spread it on a tortilla for a healthy dinner.
#5. Chicken Noodle Casserole
Casseroles are favorites of many, mostly because of how easy they are to make. This casserole recipe brings that ease to a whole new level by cutting the prep time in half due to using canned chicken. These cheesy, creamy noodles will wow kids and adults alike!
#6. Buffalo Chicken Dip
Hosting a party and need an easy recipe for a simple but delicious dip? Look no further!
In a little under half an hour, you can make this tasty and creamy buffalo chicken dip that goes great with crackers, carrot sticks, or any type of chips. Make sure you have plenty ready; you’ll see this mouthwatering dip vanish before your own eyes in no time!
#7. Chicken Dumpling Soup
A warm, comforting bowl of steaming chicken dumpling soup can’t be beaten! Done in just half an hour, this soup is a classic but made simpler.
The canned chicken and broth are brought to a boil, followed by biscuits and fresh veggies, creating a soup that’s like a warm hug.
#8. Pasta with Chicken and Veggies
Made in only 15 minutes, this is a fantastic recipe for family meals. A beautiful combination of angel hair pasta, canned chicken, and some delicious veggies like diced tomatoes and shallots, this recipe is the perfect combination of healthy and delicious. A colorful meal that tastes divine!
#9. Chicken Alfredo Pizza
Low-carb, gluten-free, sugar-free, and keto. Did we mention it’s also incredibly delicious? The crust is made using almond flour, coconut flour, and ground flaxseed, and the topping is a creamy combination of Alfredo sauce, cheese, and canned chicken. Granted, you will need a bit more time if you are also making the dough from scratch, but the taste will be so worth it!
#10. Canned Chicken Chili
This recipe is for those days when you want a super quick meal without compromising on flavor or health. Using all canned ingredients, you’ll have a steaming pot of chicken chili ready in half an hour. Top it off with avocado slices, sour cream, or tortilla chips for a tasty, no-fuss dish.
#11. Chicken Flautas
Flautas can seem intimidating to make, but they’re really super simple. They’re just rolled-up tortillas with any filling you choose.
In this recipe, we use canned chicken, salsa, cream cheese, and some shredded cheese. Bake them for about ten to fifteen minutes for a stunningly simple and delicious meal.
#12. Fried Rice and Canned Chicken
Craving some Chinese fried rice? This recipe is flavorful, budget-friendly, and extremely easy to make. You’ll find yourself getting creative with pantry ingredients you can’t put to good use and produce a fantastic meal!
#13. Chicken Tostadas
Whip up these tostadas in just 15 minutes using only canned ingredients. Made with humble ingredients like canned chicken, corn, black beans, and tomatoes, this simple Mexican dish is super simple, healthy, and beyond tasty!
You’ll get a meal so delicious you’ll find yourself making it at least once a week.
#14. Chicken Taco Soup
Made from simple pantry staples like canned chicken, broth, chili beans, and taco seasoning, this delicious soup will warm you up in no time. You only need twenty minutes to make this bowl of scrumptious goodness.
You can even freeze a portion or two for a quick pick-me-up throughout the week.
#15. Chicken Salad with Grapes
Whether you want a quick lunch or a killer salad to take on a picnic, this recipe’s got you covered. The chicken, grapes, celery, and nonfat Greek yogurt combine beautifully to bring out the best flavors, along with onions, light mayo, and apple cider vinegar. It’s a refreshing salad perfect for a summer brunch!
#16. Chicken Tinga Tacos
Who knew canned chicken would be the perfect easy ingredient for making tacos! Made with chicken, corn, black beans, salsa, and chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, along with a mix of some amazing spices, these tacos are ready in just 15 minutes and will keep you full for hours!
#17. Chicken Parmesan Patties
If you want a meal that is easy to make, low-carb, and nutritious, look no further. With only 5 ingredients, you can make these parmesan patties in just 15 minutes. The canned chicken pairs wonderfully with parmesan cheese while the baby spinach and zucchini add a pop of delicious green — this is a dish you’ll fall in love with at first bite.
#18. Instant Pot Pesto Pasta
If you’ve never used a pressure cooker, you’re missing out on the ease of cooking they allow. With a pressure cooker, you can make this amazing chicken pasta while you get your chores done. Canned chicken, pesto, some great pasta, and tomatoes come together in this recipe to create a delicious and comforting meal.
#19. Nacho Chicken Dip
Another amazing meal you can make in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. Great for game nights or house parties, this dip goes perfectly with chips, veggie sticks, and crackers. Make it once, and your guests will be begging you to make it again and again!
#20. Chicken Crust Pizza
A carb-less pizza for a guiltless meal! This recipe will sweep you off your feet.
The crust is made of canned chicken, meaning zero carbs, and it is extremely filling and full of protein. Simple, healthy, and full of flavor, it’s a great keto meal!
#21. Canned Chicken Pot Pie
A beautiful chicken pot pie made with just 5 minutes of prep — who’d have thought? All the ingredients are what you’d have in the pantry, so whipping up this quick meal will be super easy. It’s the best choice for a hearty, filling dinner.
#22. Canned Chicken Rolls
This recipe is perfect for making a quick lunch that your kids will devour in no time. With chicken, cheese, milk, and cream of mushroom soup, you can make some amazing crescent rolls that will leave everyone begging for more.
#23. Stuffed Avocado Chicken Salad
This gorgeous salad can be served as a light lunch or a refreshing side dish. This stuffed avocado chicken salad looks lovely and tastes even better. You’ll fall in love with the chicken and avocado combo instantly, and the addition of Dijon mustard offers just the right punch of acidity and spice.
#24. Canned Chicken Quesadilla
A recipe for a quesadilla that tastes delicious and authentic even with canned chicken. The combination of a creamy filling wrapped in a subtly crunchy wrap will make you fall in love with this meal. Serve it at a party, as a fun snack, or even as a quick and tasty dinner for your family.
#25. Canned Chicken Pasta Salad
A creamy and zingy salad, this recipe is perfect for those days when you simply cannot be bothered to get off your sofa, let alone cook a full-on meal. And it will keep you feeling full without being too overwhelming.
The best part? You can add any fresh veggies or canned ingredients you have at hand to mix things up. Toss in whatever veggie is neglected in your pantry, you can’t go wrong with this one.
#26. Ranch Chicken Salad
A healthy, rich, and nutritious meal, this salad combines canned chicken, fresh greens, ranch dressing, avocado, and corn. It is also incredibly filling and makes for a delicious quick lunch or dinner. You can even make it in larger quantities and save some portions for the entire week.
#27. Canned Chicken Spaghetti
A creamy chicken spaghetti that you can make in just a few minutes, this recipe is one of the best choices on our list. Combining chicken breast, chicken broth, spaghetti, cream of mushroom soup, and cream of chicken soup, this recipe is delicious, comforting, and easy to make. Try adding some olives or mushrooms to the mix to shake things up from time to time. It’s a dish that will never get old.
#28. Canned Chicken Stew
When you are in the mood for a warm hearty meal of meat and potatoes, nothing comes close to a bowl or two of delicious stew. By using canned chicken, you cut down the cooking time in half. It’s a very customizable dish, so feel free to add in some chopped vegetables to make this dish even healthier!
#29. Chicken Fajita Skillet Meal
Here’s a one-pan meal that’ll have you craving more! It’s made with chopped-up chicken breast (canned chicken will reduce your cooking time even further), chicken broth, rice, paprika, and various other spices, all cooked in one pan to bring all the flavors together. Follow it up with toppings like shredded cheese or a dollop of sour cream and serve with warm tortillas or east as is!
#30. Chicken Ramen
Who can refuse a bowl of delicious Ramen? They are easy, quick, and so delicious! Made with chicken, a good amount of fresh veggies, and a 5-ingredient lip-smacking sauce, this dish can be made in just about 7 minutes!
