From bubbling casseroles to creamy soups, these smart and simple canned chicken recipes show just how good this convenience ingredient can be.
1/15
Chopped Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches
From the Recipe Creator:
Caesar salad is one of my favorite salads. One day, I had an idea to turn it into a sandwich and immediately decided that the sandwich form is equally delicious! —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 sandwich: 354 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated fat), 65mg cholesterol, 932mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 23g protein.
2/15
Chicken Ring
From the Recipe Creator:
Here's an impressive-looking dish that's a snap to prepare. Even when my cooking time is limited, I can still serve this delicious crescent wreath. The red pepper and green broccoli add a festive touch. —Marlene Denissen, St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 151 calories, 8g fat (2g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 357mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein.
3/15
Chicken Melt
From the Recipe Creator:
These cheesy, Cajun-flavored sandwiches are toasty and delicious right out of the oven. When I have leftover baked chicken breasts, I cut them up and use instead of the canned chicken. —Jessi Holland, Pensacola, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
2 each: 349 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 784mg sodium, 27g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 3g fiber), 20g protein.
4/15
Chicken Bacon Roll-Ups
From the Recipe Creator:
My children like these roll-ups so much that they ask for them every day for lunch during the summer. Whenever I have leftover chicken or turkey breast, this is a delicious way to use it up. —Patricia Nieh, Portola Valley, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 43 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 100mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.
5/15
Buffalo Chicken Dip
From the Recipe Creator:
This is the best buffalo chicken dip recipe! Whenever I bring buffalo dip to a tailgate or potluck, everyone asks for the recipe. —Belinda J. Gibson, Dry Ridge, Kentucky
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 152 calories, 13g fat (7g saturated fat), 36mg cholesterol, 409mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 7g protein.
6/15
Creamed Chicken Over Biscuits
From the Recipe Creator:
We have a dairy farm and three young children, so I'm always on the lookout for easy, hearty meals like this one. Using leftover or canned chicken, I can whip up this entree in minutes. To save even more time, I sometimes serve the hot chicken mixture on buns. —Shari Zimmerman Deford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 502 calories, 27g fat (10g saturated fat), 77mg cholesterol, 863mg sodium, 41g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 22g protein.
7/15
Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken
From the Recipe Creator:
Prep once and feed the family twice when you double this chicken mac and cheese and freeze half of it. I created it for the people I love most, using ingredients they love most. —Angela Spengler, Tampa, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 586 calories, 37g fat (15g saturated fat), 84mg cholesterol, 889mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 25g protein.
8/15
King Ranch Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
This Tex-Mex casserole is layered with chicken, corn tortillas and cream soups. Even though the true origin of this dish is unknown, it's the unofficial casserole of Texas. —Nancy Mock, Southbridge, Massachusetts
9/15
Chicken Puffs
From the Recipe Creator:
My guests peel rubber getting to the table to munch on these chicken puffs. The tender bites are made with hassle-free refrigerated crescent rolls and a flavorful chicken and cream cheese filling. —Amber Kimmich, Powhatan, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 puff: 67 calories, 4g fat (1g saturated fat), 6mg cholesterol, 119mg sodium, 6g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
10/15
Creamy Chicken Spread
From the Recipe Creator:
This tasty chicken spread came from a member of the Texas church where my husband served as pastor. —Lynn Scheiderer, Bishop, California
Nutrition Facts:
1/4 cup: 202 calories, 18g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 269mg sodium, 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 8g protein.
11/15
Enchiladas Verdes
From the Recipe Creator:
Homemade verde salsa is a necessity for classic enchiladas verde, but don't let that extra step trick you into thinking this can't be an easy weeknight meal. Serve it with sour cream, cilantro and any other fixings you like. —Julie Andrews, Rockford, Michigan
Nutrition Facts:
2 enchiladas: 392 calories, 16g fat (8g saturated fat), 78mg cholesterol, 682mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (7g sugars, 6g fiber), 31g protein.
12/15
Chicken Cordon Bleu Soup
From the Recipe Creator:
This is a wonderful addition to potlucks, and it comes together so easily! Cauliflower makes a nice, extra creamy backdrop for the classic flavors of chicken cordon bleu you can eat with a spoon. —Heidi Der, Stow, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 481 calories, 32g fat (16g saturated fat), 141mg cholesterol, 1254mg sodium, 11g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 1g fiber), 33g protein.
13/15
Barbecue Chicken Roll-Ups
From the Recipe Creator:
These slices make a fab, filling snack with loads of sweet and tangy flavor. —Tracey Birch, Queen Creek, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 81 calories, 2g fat (1g saturated fat), 11mg cholesterol, 177mg sodium, 9g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 6g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1/2 starch.
14/15
Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Rice Casserole
From the Recipe Creator:
Gravy, soup and sour cream make this rich dish one you’ll want to curl up with. Be prepared to make it often, as it fills ’em up fast and tastes fantastic! —Nancy Foust, Stoneboro, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 305 calories, 12g fat (5g saturated fat), 68mg cholesterol, 790mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 19g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 lean meat, 1 fat.
15/15
Chicken Flautas
From the Recipe Creator:
Flautas are similar to taquitos, but flautas are usually made with flour tortillas that are slightly larger than the corn tortillas typically used for making taquitos. Serve these chicken flautas with your favorite toppings and sides, such as refried beans and rice. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
2 flautas: 540 calories, 31g fat (7g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 996mg sodium, 34g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 30g protein.
Canned Chicken Recipes FAQ
Should you drain canned chicken before using it?
Draining canned chicken is recommended because it removes excess liquid from the meat, preventing soggy recipes. For even better results, gently pat the chicken dry and season it before adding it to your recipe.
How long does canned chicken last once opened?
Although canned chicken is one of those foods with a long shelf life, once opened, it should be used within three to four days, which is in line with how long cooked chicken lasts. To preserve the flavor and texture of the chicken, transfer it from the can to an airtight food storage container and store it in the refrigerator.
How do you make canned chicken taste better?
Adding salt, pepper, spices and blends, like homemade poultry seasoning, is the key to boosting and enhancing the taste of canned chicken. Cooking canned chicken briefly with aromatics or using it in creamy, saucy recipes also infuses the mild-tasting meat with deep, bold flavors.
