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Home » Recipe Round-Ups » The Best Easy Canned Chicken Recipes

The Best Easy Canned Chicken Recipes

February 24, 2023 by Faith Leave a Comment

These easy canned chicken recipes will save you time and money! Canned chicken is affordable, widely available, and lasts for a long time in the pantry. Keep a few cans on hand for the next time you need a delicious and healthy meal with minimal effort.

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Canned chicken isn’t just for broke college students cooking in a dorm! Get ready to see this budget-friendly, pantry-staple ingredient in a new light with these healthy, fast, delicious, and easy canned chicken recipes.

One of the best ways to save money on groceries is to use what you already have on hand. Pantry staple meals are a great way to do this. And guess what? Canned chicken breast is a widely-available pantry staple! When it’s on sale, you can stock up and buy a couple extra cans because it will last for years in the cupboard, and there are a ton of different healthy recipes using canned chicken.

Not only is canned chicken an affordable protein source, but it’s also great if you need a quick and easy recipe. Chicken in a can is already cooked and ready to eat with no additional cooking required. Just drain off the liquid and you’re good to go. Because of this, canned chicken is a perfect choice for quick lunches, appetizers in almost no time, and easy weeknight dinners.

With everything from canned chicken salad recipes to appetizers, dip recipes, dinner ideas, soup recipes, and camping meals, canned chicken will become your go-to kitchen staple time and time again.

If you’re wondering what to make with canned chicken, bookmark this post so you can easily find it later!

canned chicken recipes

In This Article

  • Healthy Canned Chicken Salad Recipes
  • Simple Canned Chicken Appetizers
  • Canned Chicken Dip Recipes
  • Delicious Canned Chicken Dinner Recipes
  • Hearty Canned Chicken Soup Recipes
  • Easy Canned Chicken Camping Recipes
  • Recipes to Use Canned Chicken Instead of Rotisserie Chicken
  • Canned Chicken FAQs

Healthy Canned Chicken Salad Recipes

One of the best things about canned chicken is that you don’t have to cook it – it’s already cooked! This means it’s the perfect protein source for a quick, healthy canned chicken salad recipe. This ready-to-serve canned protein will revolutionize your lunch!

Canned Chicken Salad Recipe
This Canned Chicken Salad recipe is easy to make in less than 10 minutes! It's creamy like tuna salad and seasoned simply with seasoned salt, black pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder. This version is healthier than most and replaces most of the mayo with Greek yogurt!
Check out this recipe
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Chicken Salad Appetizer in Endive Leaves
This is a delicious and year-round chicken salad appetizer. These endive cups make a perfect serving. The goat cheese and chopped fresh fruit makes these endive cups a crowd pleaser with little work!
Check out this recipe
Chicken Salad Appetizer in Endive Leaves
Curry Chicken Apple Salad
Crunchy apples, creamy dressing, and spicy curry combine in this delicious Curry Chicken Apple Salad! You can serve it on cucumber boats, with crackers, on a bed of greens, or as a sandwich.
Check out this recipe

Simple Canned Chicken Appetizers

These quick and easy appetizers are for those times when people unexpectedly pop by, when the kiddos ask for an after-school snack, or when you’re having a movie marathon and want some protein snacks instead of just carby junk food! Canned chicken will help you whip up a healthy protein-rich snack or appetizer fast.

Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets Recipe
Keto Air Fryer Chicken Nuggets made with canned chicken are well-seasoned and crispy outside with no breading! You won’t believe how easy they are to make in just 20 minutes. And using canned chicken means these nuggets are budget-friendly too!
Check out this recipe
air fryer chicken nuggets recipe featured image
Weeknight Chicken Empanadas
Chicken empanadas are absolutely delicious, but they can be time consuming to make. This "cheater" recipe uses canned chicken and puff pastry sheets to speed the process, and it works perfectly!
Check out this recipe
Weeknight Chicken Empanadas
Cheesy Chicken Ball
Mom's Famous Chicken Ball is a delicious chicken dip in cheese ball form! Made from shredded canned chicken, cream cheese, and spices, it'll have you going back for seconds.
Check out this recipe
Cheesy Chicken Ball

Canned Chicken Dip Recipes

I’m a cheese-lover in all forms. The great thing about these canned chicken dip recipes is that they pair the protein of canned chicken with delicious cheesy flavor! They’re great for snacking on or for bringing to parties.

Chicken Salad Dip
This easy Chicken Salad Dip is a twist on a classic hot chicken salad recipe that I’ve had in my recipe box for some time now. It’s a cheesy and creamy chicken mixture topped with crushed potato chips that's perfect for cracker or tortilla chip dipping!
Check out this recipe
Chicken Salad Dip
Easy Ranch Chicken Dip
This recipe for easy, creamy Chicken Ranch Dip, made with canned chicken, cream cheese, dry ranch dressing, scallions, and parsley, is so simple to make you will feel like a rock star in the kitchen. Ready in minutes, it’s an excellent make-ahead appetizer or snack to whip up for your family or guests.
Check out this recipe
Easy Ranch Chicken Dip

Delicious Canned Chicken Dinner Recipes

Get ready for a big surprise: canned chicken dinners can be healthy and well-balanced meals! And they will save you a ton of time.

Easy Chicken Noodle Casserole Recipe Without Soup
Inspired by the classic soup, this Chicken Noodle Casserole recipe is full of chicken, vegetables, and egg noodles with a creamy sauce that ties all the flavors together. This budget-friendly meal uses pantry staples, and you can easily customize it based on what you already have on hand!
Check out this recipe
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Chicken and Spinach Manicotti
This delicious Chicken and Spinach Manicotti recipe uses canned chicken for a quick and yummy meal! Chicken is mixed with ricotta, stuffed into Manicotti pasta, and then smothered with creamy Alfredo sauce.
Check out this recipe
Chicken and Spinach Manicotti
Chicken a la King
Rich and creamy with a hint of sophistication, Chicken a la King is adult comfort food. Made with canned chicken!
Check out this recipe
Chicken a la King

Hearty Canned Chicken Soup Recipes

Homemade soup is so easy to make when you start with a protein source that’s already cooked! Canned chicken soup recipes are hearty and satisfying – the perfect option when you want a home-cooked soup but you’re pressed for time.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup
This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is the easiest you will find with its pantry ingredients and one pan convenience. It's warming comfort food any night of the week!
Check out this recipe
chicken pot pie soup
Dump and Start Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup
There are few things more comforting than homemade chicken soup! My family is partial to chicken and rice soup over chicken noodle soup, and the Instant Pot gave us a way to make it easier than ever. An optional squeeze of lemon takes the flavors in this Instant Pot chicken rice soup over the edge – in a good way!
Check out this recipe
Dump and Start Instant Pot Chicken and Rice Soup

Easy Canned Chicken Camping Recipes

Refrigeration isn’t always available when you’re camping. This is why canned items (especially proteins, which usually spoil quickly) come in handy! You can use canned chicken to make well-balanced camping recipes right on your campfire.

5 Can Chili Camp Recipe
This 5 Can Chili is a Spicy Chicken And Corn Chili that uses only non-perishable ingredients! It's great for camping trips or when you want to just "shop your pantry" for a quick dinner at home.
Check out this recipe
5 Can Chili Camp Recipe
Campfire Chicken Enchiladas
Campfire chicken enchiladas are full of veggies, chicken, and beans, then covered in pepper jack cheese and cooked in a cast-iron Dutch oven. A delicious camping meal!
Check out this recipe
Campfire Chicken Enchiladas

Recipes to Use Canned Chicken Instead of Rotisserie Chicken

In many recipes, canned chicken is a great substitute for rotisserie chicken. If you have a couple cans of chicken in your pantry, there are so many recipe possibilities without even having to go grocery shopping!

Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo Chicken Dip is a classic (and easy!) appetizer recipe that features Buffalo chicken in the form of a flavor-packed, creamy, cheesy, zippy dip. And if you use leftover chicken or rotisserie chicken, it takes just 30 minutes to whip up from start-to-finish!
Check out this recipe
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Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe (Beanless; Keto; Low Carb)
This low carb and keto friendly Creamy White Chicken Chili Recipe has two kinds of cheese and a little kick from jalapenos! It’s a great way to use rotisserie chicken, and it comes together in less than 30 minutes.
Check out this recipe
White Chicken Chili with Various Toppings
Green Chicken Enchiladas Recipe with Salsa Verde
This cheesy Green Chicken Enchiladas Recipe with Salsa Verde recipe boasts added nutrition from kale in a creamy, piquant sauce. Using rotisserie chicken makes it weeknight-friendly!
Check out this recipe
Creamy Chicken and Kale Enchiladas with Salsa Verde in White Casserole Dish
Million Dollar Ritz Chicken Casserole
This Million Dollar Ritz Chicken Casserole recipe is packed with flavor; rotisserie chicken in a savory creamy sauce with a buttery crushed Ritz cracker topping! You can serve it with a vegetable on the side, and I also give instructions on how to add veggies and/or rice to the casserole if you like. And I have a ton of helpful tips to make this meal budget-friendly!
Check out this recipe
million dollar chicken casserole recipe featured image
Easy Chicken Parm Soup
Easy Chicken Parm Soup comes together fast for a delicious weeknight dinner, and it tastes like the Italian classic in a bowl! Chicken, pasta, herbs, and Parmesan cheese in a flavorful rich tomato broth make it perfect cold-weather comfort food.
Check out this recipe
chicken parm soup recipe featured image
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad combines chicken, carrots + celery, and pasta in a creamy, zippy sauce for the perfect side dish!
Check out this recipe
creamy buffalo chicken pasta salad featured image

Canned Chicken FAQs

Is Canned Chicken Healthy?

Yes! Canned chicken is a good source of lean protein and has the same nutritional benefits as fresh chicken. (Find out more on Health Reporter.)

For the healthiest option, look for canned chicken with no salt added.

Do You Have to Rinse Canned Chicken?

A lot of people wonder if you have to rinse canned chicken. Like other canned meats (such as canned tuna), you don’t have to rinse canned chicken before eating it or before cooking with it.

However, if you’re watching your sodium intake, you might want to rinse canned chicken to reduce the sodium. (Read an article about a similar topic – Effect of draining and rinsing on the sodium and water soluble vitamin content of canned vegetables – on the USDA website.)

Can You Cook Canned Chicken?

Many people ask if you can cook canned chicken. The answer is yes! Even though you don’t have to cook canned chicken, you can absolutely cook with it. You can use it to make a ton of different nutritious recipes!

What are Some Good Brands of Canned Chicken?

Here are some widely-available brands of canned chicken along with their Amazon links:

  • Kirkland Signature Chunk Chicken Breast Packed in Water – you can find this available at Costco and on Amazon
  • Swanson Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast with Rib Meat in Water – this product is frequently buy one get one free at my local supermarket; however, it’s higher in sodium so I typically rinse it briefly under running water before eating
  • Hormel Premium No Salt Added Canned Chunk Chicken Breast in Water with Rib Meat – just know that even though this has no salt added, it’s not a sodium-free food
  • Wild Planet Organic Roasted Chicken Breast – this is my top choice; not only is there no salt added, but the only ingredient is “organic chicken breast”
easy canned chicken recipes pin

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xoxo, Faith

Filed Under: 30 Minute Meals, Recipe Round-Ups Tagged: Canned Chicken Appetizers, Canned Chicken Camping Recipes, Canned Chicken Dinner Recipes, Canned Chicken Dip Recipes, Canned Chicken Recipes, Canned Chicken Salad Recipes, Canned Chicken Soup Recipes, Easy Canned Chicken Recipes, Healthy Canned Chicken Recipes, Recipes Using Canned Chicken, Simple Canned Chicken Recipes, What to Make with Canned Chicken

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Hello and welcome to An Edible Mosaic! This is my recipe collection of international favorites and updated American classics with an emphasis on seasonal dishes. Here you’ll find a focus on real foods that sustain body and mind, bring people together, and make a house a home.

 

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I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

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affiliate disclosure

An Edible Mosaic is monetized in part though affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This means that if you click on an affiliate link and/or purchase an item after clicking on an affiliate link, I may receive a percentage of the sales price. I only recommend products that I love and use. To learn more, please read my Privacy Policy.

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