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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