Canned chicken is a life and time-saving pantry staple I regularly keep on my kitchen shelves. Here are three simple and delicious canned chicken recipes I have been making my family for over twenty years. Canned chicken is one of the most convenient and inexpensive ways to add protein to a meal.
Canned Chicken
Did you grow up eating canned chicken? I didn’t. Canned tuna, sure, but I didn’t even know canned chicken existed until about twenty-two or twenty-three years ago. I bought my first bulk canned chicken at one of those big box stores, then called Price Club (now Costco), and I’ve been a fan ever since. I was surprised by how good it tasted. Initially, I simply mixed it with mayonnaise and made sandwiches. It took me a couple of years to start getting creative with it.
Canned chicken quickly became a go-to in my pantry, especially for speedy lunches. With its long shelf life and surprisingly delicious flavor, it’s a versatile ingredient that saves the day when dinner plans fall through. Even though I usually cook from scratch, I’m consistently surprised by how much I enjoy having this shelf-stable option on hand.
Have you ever bought canned chicken? If so, what recipes do you use it in? If you’re still unsure about it, I recommend trying it in one of these three recipes. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how good it tastes.
Why I Love It
- It’s a quick and easy option for meals, especially when I‘m short on time or ingredients.
- I can use in a variety of recipes, from sandwiches and salads to casseroles and soups, adding protein and flavor.
- Its extended shelf life makes it a reliable pantry staple, ready to use whenever I need it without worrying about spoilage.
My Top Three Canned Chicken Brands
Is all canned chicken created equal? I’ll confidently say NO. In my experience, nothing beats the Kirkland (Costco) brand of canned chicken. It’s top-notch quality, well-seasoned, and delicious, not to mention the incredible value of getting six cans for such a low price. While there are other decent brands out there, none quite measure up to Kirkland’s standard. Try them out and taste the difference for yourself. This is just my opinion! If you can’t get the Kirkland brand, look for these other two, which are decent runner-ups.
- Kirkland Signature Chicken Breast
- HORMEL Premium Chunk Chicken
- Swanson White and Dark Premium Chunk Chicken
Chicken Salad
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
The key to this delicious canned chicken salad recipe is the ratio of ingredients to one can of chicken.
It’s such a delicious combination of flavors, especially if let it sit overnight in the fridge before serving. I actually love eating this for breakfast with a toasted bagel!
I will usually double or triple this recipe. It lasts a long time in the refrigerator and it’s great to have available when everyone in the family is eating at a different time.
Canned Chicken Quesadilla Recipe
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
My kids always loved quesadillas and it was such an easy thing to make them for lunch when they were home during the summer or on weekends.
However, I felt it was important to get a little more protein in the meal, but did not always have a protein source on hand during the lunch hour. Canned chicken is a lifesaver for these delicious quesadillas. One full can of chicken will make about seven fajita sized quesadillas. They are perfect served plain, but are even more amazing served with sour cream, guacamole and salsa.
What Else Can I Add To My Quesadilla
- Sometimes I toss the chicken with taco seasoning for extra flavor.
- I like adding canned diced green chiles or jalapenos for heat.
- My favorite ~ pickled jalapenos.
Just fill half of a flour tortilla with shredded cheese and canned chicken, fold the tortilla over and place in a warm skillet with melted butter. You will be quite surprised how good these taste.
Canned Chicken Caesar Salad Recipe
Find the complete recipe with measurements in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
I love Caesar salad made from scratch, but that is not always reality on a busy day.
I have a favorite bottled variety of Caesar salad dressing, it’s Cardini’s. However, I like to doctor it up with a few extras like lemon juice, pepper, Parmesan and garlic. With the canned chicken and the kicked up salad dressing, it’s the perfect way to enjoy a quick and easy Caesar salad. If I have croutons on hand, I will also toss them into this salad. It’s the perfect lunch when I’m short on time and/or ingredients.
Here is what the Caesar dressing looks like before I whisk it all together. I think you’ll love it.
These three canned chicken recipes are also great alternatives for college kids living in an apartment and have limited ingredients or limited skills when it comes to cooking. They are all so easy to make.
Ways to Use the Juice from your Canned Chicken
Save the flavorful liquid by draining it into a container and storing it in the refrigerator for later use.
- Use it as a substitute for water when cooking rice.
- Boil your ramen noodles in the chicken juice for added flavor.
- Swap out chicken broth for the canned chicken juice in soups.
- Enhance the flavor of poached chicken by using the juice as the poaching liquid.
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Canned Chicken Salad
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 1 tbsp Ranch dressing dry mix
- 1 can (12.5 oz) canned chicken, drained
- 1/2 cup finely diced celery
- 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion (green parts only)
Instructions
- In a medium sized bowl, combine mayonnaise and Ranch dressing mix.1/3 cup mayonnaise, 1 tbsp Ranch dressing dry mix
- Add canned chicken to the mayonnaise mixture. The chicken will likely be in chunks so make sure you shred it with two forks before mixing the mayonnaise with the chicken.1 can (12.5 oz) canned chicken, drained
- Stir in celery and green onion.1/2 cup finely diced celery, 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion (green parts only)
- You can add ground black pepper and salt if you like, but I never do.
- Serve on toast, as a sandwich, over a bed of lettuce, on a toasted bagel, with crackers or plain.
Notes
Nutrition
Canned Chicken Quesadillas
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 fajita sized flour tortilla
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese, any kind (I use Mexican blend)
- 1/4 cup shredded canned chicken
- butter
Instructions
- Cover one half side of your tortilla with shredded cheese.1 fajita sized flour tortilla
- Sprinkle shredded chicken over the cheese and fold tortilla in half.1/4 cup shredded cheese, any kind (I use Mexican blend), 1/4 cup shredded canned chicken
- Melt butter in a nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Once butter is melted, place tortilla in the pan until golden brown and cheese is melty. Flip tortilla over and continue cooking until golden brown and cheese is completed melted.butter
- Remove from pan and slice tortilla into triangles with a pizza cutter. Serve immediately.
- Tastes even better with salsa and sour scream on the side, but still delicious plain.
Notes
Nutrition
Canned Chicken Caesar Salad
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup bottled Caesar Salad Dressing
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp finely minced garlic
- 2 tsps shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp coarse ground pepper
- 4 oz. canned chicken, shredded
- 1 head (3-4 oz) romaine lettuce, chopped
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together salad dressing, lemon juice, garlic, Parmesan and ground pepper.1/3 cup bottled Caesar Salad Dressing, 1 tsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp finely minced garlic, 2 tsps shredded Parmesan cheese, 1/2 tsp coarse ground pepper
- Toss salad dressing with lettuce and add canned chicken. Sprinkle with more Parmesan and ground pepper if you like.4 oz. canned chicken, shredded, 1 head (3-4 oz) romaine lettuce, chopped
Notes
Nutrition
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beth says
i make this without the ranch dressing mix and use some old bay seasoning. my 32 year old son always asks me to make it when we’re together. it only tastes right if i make it, so he says.
Lisa Gabriel says
Love Costco canned chicken! I use it in Pot Pie and enchiladas.
Cathy says
Two more great ideas!
Sandy says
Thank you for these great ideas! I have 3 cans sitting on my shelf and I never really know what to use them for besides some quick chicken wing dip. I can’t wait to try them all.
Cathy says
Glad to help.
Jane says
I add canned chicken to my daily lunch salad for some extra protein. And I also add it to my favorite instant ramen noodle soup.
Lindsay Cotter says
Love these ideas for canned chicken! So easy and delicious!
Lauren Kelly says
Thank you SO much for these recipes. Canned chicken is one of the few things I have and I really appreciate it!
Michelle says
Loved the quesadillas. I can my own chicken and it’s even cheaper. Look up raw pack on the Ball site. I make chicken soup, chicken Waldorf salad served on the large kirkland croissants, white bean and chicken chili and so many others. Thanks for sharing your recipes.
lisa says
love these recipes! so doable & perfect for a pinch
Laura says
These are all great ideas! We love the quesadillas!
wilhelmina says
This is an awesome pantry recipe! It was a huge hit with my crew!
Toni says
These are awesome! Great way to have our supplies last! Thank you so much!
Sam says
What a great group of recipes. I feel so inspired to get into the kitchen and try them all one by one.
Carol says
These are really some great recipes for canned chicken! With the grocery stores out of everything right now, I was able to get some canned chicken. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this! Thanks for posting these. I really appreciate it!
Suzy says
The best ideas here for canned chicken! The kids loved the quesadillas!
Katie says
Canned chicken is such a great staple in my pantry and now I have some delicious recipes thanks to you!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I was just in need of ideas for the canned chicken I have. Thank you!
Vicki Nelson says
I throw a can of the chicken in a pan, add a jar of Alfredo sauce, boil some fettuccine noodles and have Chicken Fettuccine for dinner. We love it. So quick and so easy.
Lindsay Cotter says
Such a great idea for last minute meal ideas! Made the Caesar salad for a quick dinner. Easy and delish!
Floy says
I use it to make quick chicken and noodles.
Carol says
Has anyone made chicken noodle soup with Costco’s canned chicken? Seems like that would be a perfect match with some carrots, celery and broth.
Laura Melone says
I use the canned chicken plus carrots, celery, broth, seasoning (to taste) and rice …makes a great/quick soup !!
Sheryl says
I use canned chicken to make chicken & dumplings. Just add mixed veggies with some broth, canned chicken and make dumplings from Bisquick. Fast easy and filling.
Sonya says
We sprinkle a few taco seasonings over the chicken and ‘fry’ it in a pan. Spread it on top of nacho chips with toppings of your choice and cheese. In the oven to melt the cheese and voila, chicken and cheese nachos. Serve with sour cream and salsa!
Donna says
I agree, Kirkland canned chicken is the best. I mix it with mayonnaise, chopped onion,homemade mustard relish, a little vinegar, salt and pepper. So delicious on fresh bread or toast. Thank you for more great recipes.
wadej says
Just discovering the benefits and convenience of canned chicken. So many options and provides a break from my beloved tuna. Just used in my last chicken tortilla soup recipe…no regrets.
D-D says
when making chicken salad, add a plop of Dijon mustard and a handful of craisins! They both add a good flavor!
Tom says
That chicken salad recipe is to die for. So simple, but so much flavor.
Cathy says
Yes, it’s the best.
Nancy Si says
I’ve made every one of these recipes and I am now a fan of canned chicken. Thank you.
Cathy says
It’s definitely tasty.
Laura says
You’re right about Kirkland canned chicken being the best. I made the chicken salad recipe, it was amazing and and the quesadillas, so good too.
Cathy says
Yes it is the best quality.
Tina says
Love using canned chicken, especially the Kirkland brand. Loved this chicken salad recipe!
Cathy says
Thanks for letting me know.
hazel says
Back to make these recipes again. Too easy and delish to not have on repeat.
Cathy says
Enjoy.
bella says
Our fave chicken salad recipe.
Cathy says
Glad to hear it.
camey says
Been looking for some great canned chicken recipes and I love all of these, especially that chicken salad. Kirkland canned chicken is also the best.
Cathy says
Yep, that chicken salad is a good one.
Jay says
Canned chicken is our favorite pantry staple. Thanks for the idea of adding it to quesadillas, they turned out great.
Cathy says
Glad you love them, so easy to make with canned chicken.
Steve says
Made the canned chicken salad yesterday, the Cesare, it was so good. Thanks for the idea.
Cathy says
You’re welcome.
Katie says
I love finding new canned chicken recipes, thank you. Love the quesadillas!
Kary says
Been making these canned chicken recipes since you posted them and love them. Thanks.
Cathy says
Awesome.
Bill says
Canned chicken really is the best pantry staple. We use it often and loved your recipes.
Bev says
Good canned chicken recipes are often hard to find but these were great.
Carol says
Absolutely love these canned chicken recipes, I’ve made them all. So quick and easy.
Kyra says
I really appreciated these canned chicken recipes, they all turned out really great.
Su says
I buy lg. cans of chicken and if I’m making meal for 1 I store the rest with juices in glass jar. My favorite way to use it is–warmed, added to scrambled egg with salsa & cheese wrapped in a tortilla & topped with more salsa, cheese & sour cream. It’s great for breakfast, lunch, dinner — midnight snack.
I also use it in Rice-a-Roni when I add the water & seasoning pkt. I add chicken, last 5 to 10 minutes I add frozen peas & carrots (amt. to suit your taste). Saw a recipe with same ingredients plus onions.
mark says
This chicken salad with canned chicken was so good. Making another batch today.
Asia says
I’ve made them all and loved the versatility! Absolutely fantastic!
Karen says
That chicken salad recipe was so simple yet so delicious.
Beth says
Loved the quesadillas, so quick and easy for the kids.
Henny says
These are such handy recipes to have around. So delicious too.