Because they all start with easy shredded chicken, these Shredded Chicken Recipes are great for meal planning. There are Instant Pot and Crockpot recipes too.
Looking for more easy meal inspiration? Check out my collection of Dinner Recipes or my collection of Chicken Recipes here!.
Cooking was something I loved, and if I made a huge batch of something and was then forced to eat it for days on end? Not something I looked forward to!.
But as life gets busier, the more I value having something prepped and ready in the fridge.
You can use shredded chicken in many different dishes, from soups and salads to casseroles and sandwiches. Having pre-cooked shredded chicken on hand makes it easy to make quick and easy meals. Here are 12 creative ways to use shredded chicken to make tasty family-friendly meals.
Soups
Shredded chicken is perfect for adding to soups for a protein boost. Try using it in chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, chicken and dumplings, chicken pot pie soup, or chicken and rice soup The pre-cooked chicken infuses the broth with extra flavor
Salads
Toss shredded chicken with salad greens, vegetables, cheese, nuts and a dressing for tasty main-dish salads Some ideas are chicken Caesar salad, chicken taco salad, buffalo chicken salad, chicken ranch salad, chicken pesto pasta salad or chicken Greek salad The chicken turns an ordinary side salad into a filling entrée.
Sandwiches
Pile shredded chicken onto rolls, bread or pitas for fast sandwiches. Chicken salad, barbecue chicken sandwiches, buffalo chicken wraps, chicken parmesan sandwiches, and chicken tacos or quesadillas are all simple meals when you have cooked chicken ready to go.
Pizzas
For easy chicken pizza, put your favorite toppings on top of pizza dough and then sprinkle that with shredded chicken. BBQ chicken pizza, Buffalo chicken pizza, Mexican-style shredded chicken pizza with corn, beans, and salsa, or Greek chicken pizza with feta, spinach, and olives are some of the things you can try.
Casseroles
Combine shredded chicken with pasta, rice, vegetables and cheese sauce for comforting one-dish casserole dinners like chicken divan, chicken and broccoli rice casserole, chicken Alfredo baked ziti or chicken pot pie casserole. Casseroles make great leftovers too.
Nachos
Add your favorite nacho toppings, like shredded chicken, beans, salsa, cheese sauce, and more, on top of the tortilla chips. You can snack on chicken nachos or make them as a fun meal for game day.
Tacos
Whip up quick shredded chicken tacos with warm tortillas and favorite taco toppings like lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese and salsa. Try seasoning the chicken different ways like lime-cilantro, chipotle or fajita-style.
Flatbreads
Top flatbreads or naan with pesto, shredded chicken and vegetables like tomatoes, spinach and onions. Bake until the cheese is bubbly for easy chicken flatbreads in minutes.
Pasta
When you want a quick dinner, mix shredded chicken with pasta and your favorite sauce. Try chicken Alfredo, pesto chicken pasta, or chicken carbonara. Add foods that are good for you, like broccoli, peas, spinach, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Skillet meals
Sauté shredded chicken with veggies like peppers, onions, mushrooms, zucchini or broccoli and serve over rice or pasta. Try fajita-style chicken and veggies or teriyaki chicken stir-fry for quick skillet meals.
Enchiladas and tamales
Fill tortillas with shredded chicken and enchilada sauce, roll up and bake with cheese on top. Chicken tamales are another way to use up shredded chicken in a tasty hand-held meal.
Add to grains
Stir shredded chicken into rice dishes, quinoa or couscous along with spices and vegetables for one-pot meals. Try chicken biryani, lemon chicken and quinoa or chicken jambalaya using pre-cooked shredded chicken.
With so many possibilities, keep shredded chicken on hand and you’ll never have to wonder what’s for dinner. It’s an easy addition that can transform basic ingredients into delicious family meals. Experiment with global flavors, mix and match ingredients and get creative. Your family will love these tasty shredded chicken dishes.
Why shredded chicken is the perfect meal prep:
Having shredded chicken ready ahead of time is great because it can be used in so many ways and tastes great!
It goes with almost everything, and you can change how much seasoning or other sauces you put on it at any time.
It’s lean, it’s healthy and high in protein — basically, it checks all of my boxes!
I’ve included two different ways to make chicken for these shredded chicken recipes — in the Crockpot and in the Instant Pot. These are my favorite ways to make tender, juicy shredded chicken without babysitting it on the stove.
From there, the options are endless!
Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
This Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings recipe is a slow cooker version of a classic comfort food! Tender chicken, loads of veggies, and fluffy homemade dumplings are simmered in a thick and flavorful gravy.
This Chicken Broccoli Alfredo is the perfect easy pasta dinner! Tender Cavatappi pasta and cooked broccoli are tossed in a rich and cheesy cream sauce, then topped with juicy slices of chicken.
This Tuscan Chicken Pasta Bake is cheesy, creamy, and so flavorful! Penne pasta is baked in the best homemade sauce and made hearty with bites of chicken spread throughout. Perfect for those crazy weeknights when you need something comforting and easy!.
This Chicken Pot Pie Soup is made in one pot and has moist chicken and lots of vegetables. It is topped with biscuits or pastry and is the perfect comfort food for cold weather.
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is made with chicken broth, savory vegetables, tender chicken, Orzo pasta, herbs and fresh lemon for a zesty kick! It’s a healthy soup recipe that is comforting and flavorful!
This Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is a completely made-from-scratch comfort food classic! It’s packed with veggies and tender bites of chicken then layered with a fluffy homemade biscuit topping.
This Chicken Pot Pie Casserole is a completely made-from-scratch comfort food classic! It’s packed with veggies and tender bites of chicken then layered with a fluffy homemade biscuit topping.
This One Pot BBQ Chicken Pasta is full of smoky and savory flavors, with tender chicken breast, crispy bacon, and your favorite BBQ sauce – it’s an easy one-pan meal the whole family will love!
This Chicken Dumpling Soup recipe is made with sautéed vegetables, creamy potatoes, and tender chicken in a rich and flavorful broth. Homemade dumplings are simmered on top for the ultimate comfort food!
This Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo is made in ONE pot with just SIX ingredients and in 30 minutes! It really doesn’t get easier or more flavorful than this.
This Chicken Gnocchi Soup is better than Olive Garden! Loaded with tender chicken, chunks of vegetables, and spinach in a creamy, flavorful broth, it’s made in 30 minutes!
This Chicken Alfredo Bake is an easy meal-prep and freezer friendly dinner option! Tender pasta and chicken are tossed in homemade Alfredo sauce, topped with cheese, then baked until hot and gooey.
This Instant Pot White Chicken Chili is creamy and hearty with just the right amount of spice! Loaded with lean chicken, white beans, green chiles, and corn, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
This Chicken Bacon Rice Soup is easy to make and comes together in just 25 minutes using only one pot! It’s thick and creamy and full of flavor!
This Chicken Noodle Casserole is classic comfort food ready with just 15 minutes of prep! Tender egg noodles, veggies, and juicy bites of chicken baked in a rich cream sauce.
This Creamy Italian Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup is hearty, healthy, and flavorful. It’s packed with tender chicken, garlic, roasted red pepper, a touch of cream, parmesan, and more.
Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup is a comforting soup that’s easy to make with just six bold ingredients! With tender chicken, beans and corn in a flavorful broth, this slow cooker soup is sure to be a hit!
This Italian Chicken Tortellini is an easy meal made in just one pot! It’s loaded with cheese tortellini, roasted red peppers, spinach, tomatoes, herbs, and cheese!
This One Pot Chicken Chow Mein is a fast and healthy dinner the whole family will love! Loaded with juicy chicken, bell peppers, cabbage, peas and carrots, it’s ready in about 30 minutes!
This Chicken Spaghetti is the perfect quick, easy, family-friendly dinner! It has spaghetti noodles, tender bites of chicken, and veggies all smothered in a chili-spiced cheddar cheese cream sauce.
This Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad is made with seasoned chicken breast, rotini pasta, Caesar dressing, Parmesan and garlic bread croutons. It’s a light but still hearty summer meal, perfect for picnics!
This easy Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup recipe is one of my favorite meals to warm up with on a cold winter day! With juicy chicken, vegetables, and an aromatic mix of seasonings, it’s a family favorite!
This Easy Chicken Enchiladas recipe is one we’ve used time and time again to make the BEST chicken enchiladas. Made with tender chicken cooked in enchilada sauce with onions and peppers, corn or flour tortillas and plenty of cheese.
This Chicken Quesadilla is an easy dinner idea! Tortillas layered with juicy bites of chicken, melty cheese, and veggies — kids and adults love them!
This White Lasagna Soup is your favorite pasta bake in soup form! It’s rich, creamy, and packed with tender chicken, veggies, and cheese!
This delicious Chicken Enchilada Casserole is made by layering juicy shredded chicken, homemade red enchilada sauce, corn tortillas, and loads of melty cheese!
The SECRET to shredding chicken #chicken #foodhacks #cooking
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