Canned food has come a long way. The industrialization of food processing has allowed us to access more food outside of the growing season, preserve it for a longer period, and get it for a relatively low cost. But canned chicken is one food that has really interested us in cooking and given us ideas for many recipes.
You should always have canned chicken in your pantry because of how versatile it is as an ingredient and how long it can stay on your shelf without going bad. The chicken breast is essentially cooked and stored in water, similar to canned tuna, so it retains its nutritional profile. Since its pre-cooked, adding it to your favorite meals is relatively easy. You can even eat it straight from the can for a protein-dense snack.
Despite all the perks of convenience, canned chicken does come with some downsides. Like any canned food product, it will lose some of its texture and flavor with time. But, with a couple of simple, flavorful boosts and alterations to preparation methods, you can elevate this canned meat to all of its protein-rich glory.
It is common for canned chicken to get a bad name because it tastes metallic and is soft. But with the right skills, you can turn canned chicken into dishes that people will want to eat again and again. These 15 easy tips will make canned chicken taste better.
1. Rinse and pat dry
One of the easiest ways to improve canned chicken is to rinse it and pat it dry This removes excess sodium and moisture that can cause the meat to taste salty or waterlogged Simply drain the chicken in a colander and rinse under running water. Then pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. This prep step makes a huge difference.
2. Use white meat chicken
Opt for canned chicken that is made from all white breast meat whenever possible White meat has a milder flavor that adapts better to spices and sauces Dark chicken meat can sometimes have a stronger, metallic taste.
3. Fry it up
Frying canned chicken transforms the texture, making it crispy on the outside while keeping the inside moist. Dredge drained and dried chicken pieces in flour, breadcrumbs or panko. Then pan fry in a little oil until golden brown and crispy. The high heat caramelizes the exterior and amps up the flavor.
4. Make chicken salad
Once upon a time, canned chicken was used to make chicken salad. Adding flavorful things to the chicken, like celery, onion, relish, herbs, and a creamy dressing or mayo, hides any bad tastes. Choose a crunchy lettuce, like romaine, to go with the soft chicken.
5. Use bold sauces and seasonings
Smothering canned chicken in intensely flavored sauces or dry rubs overpowers any metallic taste. Barbecue sauce, salsa, pesto, curry pastes, and spice rubs using chili powder, cumin, garlic, and onion make the chicken pop.
6. Add cheese
Melting cheese on top of canned chicken not only adds delicious richness, but the fat helps coat the meat to seal in moisture. Cheddar, Monterey jack, and pepper jack work especially well. Make cheesy chicken casseroles, nachos, or quesadillas.
7. Simmer in broth
Simmer canned chicken in chicken broth with herbs, garlic, and onions for a simple way to make it taste better. The broth seeps into the meat while gently cooking it. You can make soups, stews, or gravies with the chicken and broth.
8. Marinate overnight
Letting canned chicken soak overnight in a marinade allows the flavors to really penetrate the meat. Yogurt-based marinades work well to tenderize while adding flavor. Lemon juice or vinegars will help counteract metallic tastes.
9. Bread and bake
Breading canned chicken and baking it until crispy on the outside transforms the texture. Try coating in Japanese panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy crust. Baked chicken fingers or nuggets make a handy high protein snack.
10. Make chicken salad sandwiches
Disguise canned chicken between slices of bread or rolls to make classic chicken salad sandwiches. The chicken salad provides creaminess while the bread adds crunch. Toast the bread for an even better contrast of textures.
11. Add textured veggies
Mixing canned chicken with fresh, crunchy vegetables like celery, bell peppers, sugar snap peas, water chestnuts and shredded cabbage provides juicy snap. The added textures balance out the soft chicken.
12. Use in hearty casseroles
You can make a hearty baked dish with canned chicken by putting it in a casserole. Add sauce, vegetables, cheese, and crunchy toppings like fried onions or crushed crackers and mix. The medley of textures and flavors improve canned chicken.
13. Make chicken tortilla soup
Simmer canned chicken in flavorful chicken tortilla soup loaded with tomatoes, chilies, corn, beans and crunchy tortilla strips. The boldly flavored broth and mix of textures masks any off flavors. Garnish with avocado, cilantro and lime.
14. Add to stir fries
Stir frying canned chicken strips with lots of fresh, crunchy veggies in a flavorful sauce is a fast dinner. The high heat helps drive off any metallic flavors while the sauce coats each piece. Serve over rice to absorb any excess moisture.
15. Use in creamy pasta dishes
Creamy pasta sauces are the perfect place to sneak in canned chicken. Alfredo, pesto, mushroom and herb sauces all pair well. The creaminess prevents dryness while the pasta provides a satisfying chew. Toss with roasted veggies for extra flavor and crunch.
With a little creativity and these simple tricks, canned chicken can be transformed into tasty new dishes. Frying, bold sauces, crunchy coatings and mix-ins are all easy ways to upgrade canned poultry. Don’t be afraid to experiment and turn this pantry staple into tasty weekday meals.
Smother it with cheese and seasonings for a perfect dip
Putting cheese and seasonings on top of canned chicken in a dip is another way to make it more enjoyable to eat. Although some people argue you should avoid using canned meat in buffalo chicken dip because the chicken is already mushy, its really only a caveat if you make your dip in the slow cooker. The long cooking process denatures the protein and can cause it to come out rubbery. But, if youre making a rendition of the recipe outside of this kitchen appliance, canned chicken is a safe, relatively inexpensive go-to.
We recommend sticking with canned chicken for fresh dips, too, since its already pre-cooked and requires minimal preparation. You don’t even have to turn on the stove to make this dip. In less than five minutes, you can make it without using any oil or ranch seasoning packets.
Mix it with other fillings for a flavorful chicken pot pie
During the winter, chicken pot pie is a comfort food that many people make. If you want to make it easier, you can use canned chicken. The benefit of using canned chicken for this recipe over fresh chicken is that you wont have to pre-cook it in advance. You can spend less time making dinner this way, and your energy can go toward making the crust, which is the real star of the show.
Canned chicken is mealy and soft, so youll need to infuse your pot pie with lots of diverse textures and flavors to make up for this pre-cooked protein. Like other preparations of this meat, youll need to drain the water out of the can before tossing it with your veggies and herbs. We love using frozen peas and carrots for pot pie and pairing it with bold spices like tarragon.
12 Simple Ways To Make Canned Chicken Taste Even Better
FAQ
How can you make canned chicken taste good?
To improve the taste of canned chicken, combine it with your favorite sauces. You can marinate it in BBQ sauce or hot sauce and pan fry it, or use marinara or alfredo sauce to create a delicious pasta dish. The rich sauce will enhance the flavor of your chicken.
What can I add to canned chicken?
To enhance the flavor of canned chicken, add a cream sauce made from equal parts flour and butter. You can also add chicken broth or cream of chicken soup to give it more chicken flavor. Make it your own by adding your favorite seasonings.
How can I use canned chicken?
To use canned chicken, just drain it and add it to your favorite dishes. For a quick meal, try adding it to a quesadilla with some shredded cheese and your choice of toppings like jalapenos, tomato, avocado, onion, and beans. Top it off with some sour cream or hot sauce for added flavor.
Does canned chicken taste mushy?
One of our biggest qualms with canned chicken is that it has a mushy profile. In order to improve the taste of this canned protein, you need to add texture to it. For example, add cranberries and pecans to your next chicken salad for a textural boost.
How to reduce the saltiness of canned chicken?
The best way to make your canned chicken less salty is by draining and rinsing it thoroughly under water. This will effectively reduce sodium levels and make it healthier to eat. Although canned chicken gets a bad rap, this food item is much healthier and more beneficial than you’d think!.
Can you fry canned chicken?
If you want to give new life to canned poultry, you should try frying it. Canned chicken will make deliciously crispy patties, and it’s super convenient and will come out much tastier than the store-bought versions. In order to make this recipe at home, you will need to mix canned chicken with egg and flour, herbs, and grated cheese.
How do I make canned chicken taste good?
In order to improve the taste of this canned protein, you need to add texture to it. For example, add cranberries and pecans to your next chicken salad for a textural boost. Toss your drained canned chicken in a bowl with mayonnaise, dried cranberries, pecans, and a scant amount of mayonnaise and Dijon mustard.
How to get canned taste out of chicken?
Try soaking it in a little chicken broth. Or throw in some accent seasoning (msg).
Should you rinse canned chicken?
Yes, you should rinse canned chicken. While not mandatory from a safety perspective, rinsing canned chicken helps improve its flavor and texture by removing the salty, sometimes metallic, taste of the canning liquid.