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    • Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes -->This collection of easy chicken dinner recipes features some of our favorite family dishes, perfect for making a healthy, delicious home cooked meal on a busy night! Getting a healthy, home cooked meal on the table every night can be challenging. Particularly with the demands of work, school, activities and social obligations, well, it can be the last thing we want to do at the end of the day. So I’ve got tons of easy chicken recipes at my disposal that I turn to when I need to whip something up for us on one of those busy weeknights. (Or even busy weekends – dinners can be tough then, too!) And this collection of easy chicken dinner recipes has some that we make over and over again. It includes everything from skillet chicken dinners to slow cooker chicken recipes, one-pot chicken pastas, soups and salads with chicken, chicken burgers and meatballs, sheet pan chicken dinners and easy chicken casseroles. Are you looking for fast as well as easy? Me too. I’ve got collections of chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster still, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Or if you want to browse them all, my quick chicken recipes…
      • Easy Chicken Recipes with Few IngredientsThese easy chicken recipes with few ingredients include some great healthy lunch and dinner options, all made with 5 or fewer ingredients! I am all about the EASY when it comes to cooking. I don’t like to fuss much over my food and I certainly don’t like to spend a ton of time in the kitchen at the end of a long day. Easy chicken dinner recipes and healthy lunch recipes with chicken are much more my style. (As are chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, faster yet, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Cause life.) Speaking of life, a million trips to the grocery store also aren’t fun during a busy week. (Especially with little ones in tow!) So I’ve got these go-to easy chicken recipes with few ingredients that help me keep dinnertime simple. And my sanity intact. In fact, one of the first cookbooks I bought on my own, at a used bookstore in Washington, D.C., where I lived for a few years after college, was titled 3-ingredient recipes. I was pretty new to cooking and thought, I think I can handle that. My cooking skills have improved, but I still go for the simple chicken recipes…
      • Quick Chicken RecipesThis collection of quick chicken recipes features some of our favorite family dinners and go-to lunches, all ready in 30 minutes or less! From chicken skillet dinners to one-pot pastas, salads to burgers, you’re sure to find some new favorites! If you know me, you know I am ALL about the quick and easy recipes. I love making all of our homemade meals and home cooked dinners, but like you, I’ve also got a hundred other things to juggle and so keeping things simple in the kitchen is a must. And these quick chicken recipes include all of my chicken recipes in under 30 minutes and, even faster, chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. Sanity savers for sure. Busy weeknights have nothing on us! A few of our favorites from these quick chicken recipes: Healthy chicken Alfredo with broccoli Creamy chipotle chicken 20-minute chicken and tortellini soup with kale Skillet salsa chicken Easy creamy chicken This collection also has some healthy lunch recipes with chicken for mixing up your lunch routine. (It doesn’t include my slow cooker chicken recipes though, since those aren’t ready in 30 minutes. But they can be super quick to prep in the morning and then…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 15 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pot wonders to salads, chicken skillets to tacos, you’re sure to find some new fast favorites! You know those nights when you walk in the door and need dinner pronto?! Like, 5 minutes ago? That’s when I turn to these quick and easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes. I can make a healthy, home cooked meal for my family and be sitting down to enjoy it in no time. Cause plenty of evenings, 15 minutes is often all the time I have – or want to spend – on dinner. I’m not alone on that, right?! You can browse below but I thought I’d highlight a couple that I make over and over again. A few of our favorite easy chicken recipes in under 15 minutes: 15-minute honey garlic chicken (gets rave reviews!) Southwest chicken skillet dinner (pile on your favorite toppings!) Quick chicken curry (perfect with rice and peas) One-pot low-carb leftover chicken recipe with spinach (my dad’s go-to recipe) This collection also includes some healthy lunch options that are quick to put together — like the Asian chicken mason jar…
        • Chicken Recipes in Under 30 MinutesThese easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes are perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! From one-pan meals to burgers, one-pot pastas to healthy salads, you’re sure to find some new favorites! Quick, easy and mostly healthy is pretty much the name of the game for dinner at my house. I love a home cooked meal and we eat a ton of chicken, which means I’ve come up with and found a lot of easy chicken recipes over the years. And this collection highlights some of my easy chicken recipes in under 30 minutes, when you want something delicious but need it on the table pretty quickly. Is that every single night for you too? We’ve got everything from skillet chicken dishes to chicken pasta and from soups and salads with chicken to chicken meatballs and burgers. All the chicken love! Many of these recipes use boneless, skinless chicken breasts (though you could substitute chicken thighs if you prefer) while others use ground chicken and some rely on pre-cooked chicken, such as a rotisserie chicken you pick up at the store or some leftover grilled or baked chicken. Lots of these 30 minute chicken dinners are complete meals but…
      • Healthy One-Pot Chicken DinnersHealthy one-pot chicken dinners are such a help on busy days! This collection includes everything from one-pot pastas and skillets to easy slow cooker and sheet pan recipes to help you get an easy, healthy and delicious dinner on the table any night! I am ALL about quick and easy meals. I cook our dinner 99% of the time, including on days when work has blown up in my face, or the kids have decided to coordinate their melt-downs, or we’re all just wiped out and hungry. And even though I love to cook, I definitely have those days when I’m just not feeling it. Enter some quick and easy one-pot chicken dinners for the win! These are great to have in your back pocket for busy days, busy weeks or in case of a “kids-are-making-me-crazy” kinda moment. (My husband also loves these meals because he’s on clean-up duty and it’s nice not to have a huge pile of dishes staring you down after dinner!) Many of these dishes are complete meals on their own. Others are low-carb as written, but can easily be paired with some rice, pasta, bread or potatoes to bulk them up a bit. Here are…
      • Slow Cooker Chicken RecipesThese hands-off slow cooker chicken recipes will put your slow cooker to work and have you coming home to a delicious, healthy dinner that’s ready to go! Some days, you just need someone else to make you dinner. I’m not talking takeout or delivery or a restaurant dinner. I’m talking about your crock pot or slow cooker. I find it supremely satisfying to go about my day, knowing that a delicious home cooked dinner is cooking up at home for me. I can play with the kids, take them to practices, run errands or just relax with a book and breathe easy. These slow cooker chicken recipes mean there is just one less thing to do in the evening and that’s a great thing on a busy day! This collection includes slow cooker recipes for boneless, skinless chicken breasts as well as chicken thighs (though you can usually sub either one). And many of these take just minutes to prep in the morning! 👍 Here’s a few of our favorite slow cooker chicken recipes: Slow cooker balsamic chicken Slow cooker bistro chicken thighs Slow cooker apricot chicken Crock pot Mediterranean chicken Slow cooker teriyaki chicken And be sure to check…
    • Easy Vegetarian RecipesEasy vegetarian recipes include main-dish meals that are hearty and satisfying and can stand alone for lunch or dinner (with a few savory breakfast options as well). Everything from one-pot veggie pastas to stuffed squash to chili to veggie burgers and hearty grain bowls and salads, there are meatless options here for everyone! I am a veggie lover through and through. 💚💚💚 I adore getting in as many vegetables as I can, throughout the day really, and I often make easy vegetarian dinners a couple of times a week. (Hello meatless Monday, I’m looking at you!) So over the years, I’ve created tons of great veggie-based meals that can stand on their own for lunch or dinner and be hearty and satisfying. And that are also mostly quick and easy, because I work as a health and nutrition editor and we’ve got a busy family so cooking on a weeknight needs to be low-key. My one-pot vegetarian spaghetti has been a hugely popular recipe here on the blog and you guys can’t seem to get enough of my grain bowls and salads. I know the feeling. 😉 I wanted to round up some of these in an easy-to-browse category that features…
    • Healthy Oatmeal RecipesA collection of healthy oatmeal recipes, including sweet and savory breakfast and brunch options as well as delicious, wholesome snacks and desserts. We are pretty much oatmeal fanatics in my house. ALL of us adore oatmeal and it’s a rare day that we’re not making or eating something with oats or oatmeal in it at some point during the day. And I mean all four of us – my husband, myself and our kids (currently ages 6 and 4). Our go-to 3-minute microwave oatmeal is a morning staple for my husband and a weekly staple for the kids and me. My kids eat overnight oatmeal jars at least twice a week for breakfast and we often have baked oatmeal another morning of the week. For school lunches or afternoon snack, we can be found munching on some no-bake cookie or energy balls with oats, oatmeal cookies of some variety or if they’ve asked nicely, I’ll make a batch of granola and we all just shovel handful after handful until it’s gone. Want to know some of our very favorites of the group below? OK, I’ll share! Our family’s favorite healthy oatmeal recipes: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Overnight oatmeal jars, 3…
    • Healthy Muffin RecipesA collection of easy, kid-friendly healthy muffin recipes for all times of day: breakfast, school lunch, snacking, dinner and dessert! We are BIG muffin lovers in this house, at all times of day! My kiddos love them for breakfast, brunch, school lunch, afternoon snack and sometimes even savory muffins at dinner. Muffins all the time! I’ve made thousands of healthy muffin recipes over the years and I love sharing them with you! There are plenty to browse below and plenty more I plan to add! (You can sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a recipe. You’ll also get my FREE e-book of easy weeknight dinners.) Wondering where to start? Spinach banana mini muffins and whole wheat pumpkin muffins are some of our constant favorites. Healthy peanut butter and jelly muffins are fun for lunch and easy cheesy cornbread muffins are great for a quick + easy dinner side, especially with soup or chili! And if you’re in the mood for a little chocolate (I know I always am!) you can’t go wrong with my healthy chocolate chip muffins. Hope you find some new favorite healthy muffin recipes! XO, Kathryn
    • Healthy DessertsThis collection of healthy desserts features everything from lightened up cookie bars and brownies to cakes, muffins and breads to no-bake energy bites. It’s the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth while staying on track with healthy choices! Healthy desserts are kind-of my jam. I like a dessert that gives back. One that has redeeming qualities. A sweet treat that’s going to treat me right. But of course, it also needs to be delicious so I actually satisfy those sweet cravings! The healthier dessert recipes you’ll find below are some of our go-to treats that are perfect for a healthier late-night option and many of which are great for offering kids a wholesome, but fun, treat for an after-school snack or tucked in their lunch box. Most of these recipes are whole grain and naturally sweetened, others are recipe makeovers that are lower in sugar and/or butter. A majority of them contain chocolate. 🍫❤️ And ALL are easy to make. (You can also check out my healthy muffin recipes and my entire category of sweets & desserts if you want more.) Here’s a few of our favorite healthy desserts: Healthy chocolate chip muffins Healthier no bake cookie bars No…
    • Healthy Fall BakingThese healthy fall baking favorites include everything from muffins and baked oatmeal to snacks to cookies and cakes. These fall recipes are whole grain and most are naturally sweetened for a wholesome, delicious treat at breakfast, snack, school lunch or dessert! Does anyone else get the baking bug when the cooler weather starts to roll in during autumn? I know I do! I get excited for all the apple baking projects, pumpkin baking projects and even getting ready for all the holiday baking to come! 🍎🎃 The spices, the warmth, the aroma of having something in the oven is just part of the season for me. Plus the love that comes from a homemade baked good – it just can’t be beat! ❤️ And y’all know my style is definitely a healthier version of baking. I use whole grains and most of my recipes are naturally sweetened. I try to lighten things up where possible and keep to mostly wholesome treats, maybe with a little indulgence here and there! 😉 Wondering where to start? Here are some of our healthy fall baking favorites: Chocolate chip apple cake Pumpkin baked oatmeal with chocolate chips Whole wheat pumpkin applesauce bread Easy healthy…
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12 Ways to Use Cooked, Shredded Chicken

Published on July 22, 2021 Last Modified: February 21, 2022 By Kathryn Doherty

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These 12 ways to use cooked, shredded chicken will give you new, fun, delicious ideas of ways to use leftover cooked chicken. List of ideas and specific recipes included.A collage of six photos of recipes made using leftover cooked, shredded chicken with a text overlay on the photos

Today, we are showering some love on that beloved kitchen staple – cooked, shredded chicken.

We all have it (whether ALL the time like me or just on occasion) and sometimes, we need a little help on how to use it.

I know I’ve looked at a container of chicken in the fridge and thought, “Well yes, it’s cooked and ready to use, but what on earth do I want to make with it?”

Front of the refrigerator paralysis. It’s totally a thing.

So today I’m here to help.

Below I’ve got a list of ways to use the shredded chicken. And below that I’ve also included links to specific recipes, in case you need some.

And these are ideas and recipes you can use for ANY kind of cooked, shredded chicken, whether that’s homemade rotisserie style roast chicken or a store-bought rotisserie.

I often make a batch of Instant Pot shredded chicken. (You can also make crockpot shredded chicken if you have a slow cooker but not a pressure cooker.)

You can make a ton of it at once, it’s super easy and affordable, and it stores great.

I almost always have at least a couple of bags of leftover shredded chicken in my freezer. It’s so easy to pull out for meals. And it’s super helpful on crazy weeks to have some protein cooked and ready to go.

Shredded cooked chicken served in a large white bowl

But I also love the convenience of picking up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store.

(And it’s a must when I go to Costco. I usually get two of theirs – they are so good!)

So, yeah, we have a lot of cooked, shredded chicken on hand at my house.

Which means I’ve got TONS of ideas of ways you can use it and tons of recipes, too.

This is a list I actually started a decade before I even had this blog. I have a binder of resources like this that I refer to when I need some inspiration.

Cause we all get stuck in a rut sometimes, right?

Anyway, I came across that old list recently, pulled it out and updated it, and I’m so excited to share it with you all, too!

So without further ado, let’s get to it.

A collage of six photos of recipes made using leftover cooked, shredded chicken

Here are my top 12 ways to use leftover chicken, but keep reading below for specific recipes you might want to check out as well.

Ways to use cooked, shredded chicken:

  1. Make chicken enchiladas, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc.
  2. Mix with BBQ sauce for BBQ chicken sandwiches, sliders, wraps or salads
  3. Use for a quick chicken skillet with veggies and seasonings (such as a southwest chicken skillet or chicken hash)
  4. Make a casserole, like King Ranch chicken casserole, chicken and rice casserole, chicken divan, chicken pot pie or another favorite
  5. Use as the protein for grain bowls
  6. Mix with a dressing and add to a salad or use to layer into a mason jar salad
  7. Combine with your favorite pasta salad or quinoa salad to make it a main dish
  8. Use in soups, stews or chili, such as chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup or white chicken chili
  9. Use for chicken fried rice or a quick chicken curry
  10. Add to pizza for a protein boost
  11. Use for stuffed pitas with some hummus or tzatziki
  12. Make chicken salad for sandwiches, wraps, etc.

Hopefully that gave you some new fun ideas to try, in addition to any go-to ways you already have to use your leftover chicken.

And in case you are need of some specific recipes, I’ve got you covered.

Check out these recipes below for inspiration. They are roughly in the order of the ideas listed above, and I’ve broken them up into smaller sections with labels, to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

(Cause yes, there are a lot!)

Some of them call for chopped cooked chicken, but it’s fine to substitute shredded. (Or if you haven’t cut it up yet, feel free to chop it instead.)

Crispy taco shells baked in a casserole dish and stuffed with shredded chicken, rice, refried beans and toppings

Cooked, shredded chicken recipes

Tacos, enchiladas, skillets and potatoes:

  • Baked shredded chicken tacos
  • Creamy shredded chicken tacos
  • Chicken enchiladas
  • Baked BBQ chicken sliders
  • Southwest chicken skillet
  • One pot chicken with spinach and beans
  • Chicken hash baked potatoes
  • Cheesy chicken and broccoli twice-baked potatoes

Casseroles with shredded chicken:

  • King Ranch chicken casserole
  • Chicken and rice casserole
  • Chicken divan
  • Cheesy Mexican chicken quinoa casserole
  • Healthy chicken taco casserole
  • Healthy chicken and broccoli mac and cheese
  • Easy healthy chicken pot pie

Salsa chicken grain bowls are full of juicy, tender chicken, fluffy grains, fresh and sautéed veggies and tons of toppings. Great for meal prep or an easy dinner! #chicken #grainbowls #mealprep #healthyeating

Grain bowls and salads:

  • Salsa chicken grain bowls
  • Chicken quinoa salad with salsa hummus
  • BBQ chicken quinoa salad bowls
  • Southwestern chopped salad
  • Asian chicken chopped salad
  • Broccoli slaw and chicken salad

Pastas and soups:

  • One pot creamy chicken and mushroom pasta with peas
  • Chicken penne pasta with broccoli
  • Easy chicken noodle soup
  • Easy chicken tortilla soup
  • Quick and easy chicken and black bean soup

A bowl of chicken tortilla soup with black beans and corn, topped with tortilla strips, cheese and a lime wedge

Fried rice, curry, pizza and the others:

  • Quick and easy cauliflower fried rice with chicken
  • Quick chicken curry
  • Easy BBQ chicken pizza
  • Healthy chicken salad
  • Curried chicken salad
  • Southwestern chicken and veggie frittata
  • Baked southwestern egg rolls

Yeah, I think we’re safe to continue making ALL the shredded chicken at home or getting a weekly rotisserie chicken at the store now that we’ve got so many ways to use it.

Or do both like me – make it and buy it! Hmm, I’m starting to see why I have so many recipes for shredded chicken…

And I’ve got no plans to stop anytime soon!

If you want to follow along so you never miss a thing, you can sign up for my free e-newsletter to get all of my new recipes delivered straight to your inbox. I’ll even send you my free e-cookbook, Healthy Weeknight Dinners, as a thank you!

I hope you’ve found some new fun ways to use your leftover chicken. There are definitely plenty of ways to keep it from being boring.

And if you’ve got other ideas or recipes you want to share, please leave a comment below! We’d all love to hear from you!

Or if you share something on Instagram, tag me there. I love to see your creations!

Happy cooking!

XO,

Kathryn

A collage of six photos of recipes made using leftover cooked, shredded chicken with a green text box in the middle

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Filed Under: Chicken, Chicken Recipes in Under 15 Minutes, Chicken Recipes in Under 30 Minutes, Cooking resources, Easy Chicken Dinner Recipes, Easy Chicken Recipes, Easy Chicken Recipes with Few Ingredients, Healthy Lunch Recipes with Chicken, Healthy One-Pot Chicken Dinners, Main dishes, Quick Chicken Recipes, Resources, Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes, Soups

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Comments

  1. Anita Cotrone says

    July 25, 2021 at 9:13 AM

    I liked all the ideas on how to use cooked chicken, but when you said you bought Costco cooked chickens, I was totally turned off ! Do you know how those chickens are raised, the deplorable conditions they endure ? No, then research it, you will never buy another Costco chicken. Didn’t you ever wonder, give it a thought , about how they use these poor creatures as a marketing tool to get customers in their stores ? Why they are so cheap ? I’ll get off my soapbox now, but food for thought. No pun.
    I’m disappointed in you !
    Anita Cotrone

    Reply
    • Kathryn Doherty says

      July 26, 2021 at 2:46 PM

      Thanks for sharing this info, Anita. I’ll have to do a little research to read up on this and learn more about it.

      Reply
    • Eloy says

      June 25, 2022 at 7:44 PM

      Oh brother!!!
      Do you know that chicken has to be killed to make your chicken salad sandwich, give me a freaking break.

      Reply

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