As much pride as you may take in creating a home-cooked meal from scratch that took you hours in the kitchen to make, sometimes (if not most) all we want to do is whip up something quick, easy, and delicious. And for this purpose, having a few cooked shredded chicken recipes handy can make all the difference.
These recipes are so delicious that you may find yourself cooking up huge batches of chicken in the slow cooker or Instant Pot so that you can shred it. Once you have your shredded chicken, you can put about two cups into freezer bags. Then, you have chicken for recipes.
Now, maybe you’re wondering, “What to make with shredded chicken?” Well, the good news is that there are tons of recipes using shredded chicken, so you’ll never be at a loss when figuring out what to do with shredded chicken that you either prepared or you can make from leftover chicken.
Shredded chicken is a versatile, lean protein that lends itself to many delicious dishes and is quick to prepare. Whether it’s cooked in a slow cooker, pressure cooker, or skillet, this tender meat can be easily shredded and added to various meals for a satisfying and healthy option.
Some popular shredded chicken recipes include chicken tacos, barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches, enchiladas, and chicken salads. These dishes can be customized with different flavors, spices, and accompaniments to cater to individual preferences or dietary needs. In addition, using shredded chicken as a base allows for efficient meal prep and the ability to create multiple meals throughout the week.
Preparing shredded chicken recipes at home is an excellent way to explore new and exciting culinary possibilities while keeping control over the ingredients and flavors. So, let’s dive in and discover some enticing options for incorporating shredded chicken into your meal rotation.
Best of all, if you’re counting calories or just trying to eat a bit cleaner, there are lots of delicious and healthy shredded chicken recipes that allow you to enjoy yourself still even while watching what you eat.
Below we’ve curated several savory and easy shredded chicken recipes sure to delight your tastebuds!
This recipe for Easy Chicken Noodle Soup is a quick way to create a nutritious and delicious healthy shredded chicken recipe without a lot of fuss.
You’ll savor the nourishing noodles, tender white meat chicken, onions, carrots, and celery all floating in a hot, fragrant, seasoned chicken broth sure to heal both body and soul.
This Classic Chicken Salad recipe combines the perfect combination of creamy mayonnaise, crunchy celery, lemon juice, and tender, juicy chicken breast in just a few minutes.
This meal is a fantastic option for any meal that’s packed with nutritious protein and big-time flavor.
Tater tots are among the top of the list for comfort foods for kids, but honestly, we can’t think of many adults who don’t still love these crunchy potato nuggets as well!
And this recipe for Cheesy Chicken Bacon Tater Tot Casserole transforms your tater tots into something magical.
Using your crockpot, you’ll only need to dump your ingredients in and let it cook for a few hours. It’s the perfect dinner for after-school.
Add some sour cream and chives as a topping, and you’ve got a real winner!
Put down that phone, and click off that pizza joint’s webpage because if you’ve got shredded chicken, you’re halfway to making the best homemade BBQ Chicken Pizza on the planet!
What do you call Buffalo flavored chicken, crunchy veggies, and creamy ranch wrapped in a soft tortilla wrap?
The answer is gone in seconds.
Best of all, this recipe for Buffalo Chicken Wraps takes almost no time to make and makes an excellent lunch for the next day (if by some miracle there are any leftovers).
BBQ chicken sandwiches are a dime a dozen, but this BBQ Chicken Sandwich recipe towers above all other versions.
Take a look above, and it’s easy to see why.
Two well-toasted buns hold together loads of delicious shredded chicken seasoned with homemade BBQ sauce, topped with guacamole, and shredded Colby jack cheese
One of the most satisfying shredded chicken dinner ideas out there is turning your yummy poultry strings into a freshly baked chicken pot pie.
And this fantastic recipe creates a pie to die for, using shredded chicken, carrots, potatoes, peas in a creamy seasoned sauce loaded inside a delicious, flaky pie crust.
Have you ever watched those makeover videos where people walk in looking plain, and by the end of it, they look like a completely different person?
Well, one quick and simple way you can glamorize your shredded chicken is by giving it a makeover using this sensational recipe for Chipotle Chicken Quesadillas.
Diced vine-ripened tomatoes, green onions, Chipotle chiles in Adobo sauce, garlic, red onions, and shredded chicken breast dance together in a toasted soft tortilla shell in a way that will send shivers throughout your taste buds!
Top your dish with cool sour cream and start living the dream.
Another great Mexican dish you can make that will transform your shredded chicken into a crowd-pleasing dinner is Shredded Chicken Enchiladas.
Usually, for enchiladas this delicious, you’d have to drive all the way out to a hard-to-find mom and mom-and-pop Mexican restaurant and wait for an hour to get a table.
But with this recipe, you save time, gas, and money by creating some of the most delicious chicken enchiladas ever to cross your lips right at home!
Now, if you want to make shredded chicken specifically for Mexican dishes, this recipe for Mexican Shredded Chicken has you covered.
This recipe is easy to make and takes your enchiladas, burritos, and tacos to the next level!
You’ll use chicken thighs marinated with a savory, smoky spice mixture and seared to perfection so you can enjoy those delicious, crunchy brown bits we all know and love.
Once you’re done, you’ll have amazingly seasoned shredded chicken you can use in other recipes as well, such as salads, baked potatoes, soups, and chicken salads.
Just take a look at the picture of this chicken taco, folks. You’re looking at deliciously seasoned shredded chicken made with homemade taco seasoning and chicken broth, topped with green chilies, diced tomato, lettuce, avocado, and sour cream.
A perfectly seared soft tortilla shell hugs all these delicious ingredients.
Now, look at the picture again, then listen to your stomach and get started.
I love this recipe. I made a slight change and used my handy slow cooker.
We’ll admit, slow cookers (crock pots) are not the quickest way to make a meal, but when you really want the most tender and delicious recipes imaginable, slow cookers are champs at making that happen.
And this Chicken Chili recipe proves that point perfectly with its savory and delicious results.
Imagine bringing a spoonful of seasoned chicken stock mixed with cream cheese, juicy shredded chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeno, onions, and bell peppers to your lips.
Now, assuming you’ve opened your eyes again and wiped away a bit of drool, the sooner you get your ingredients in the pot, the sooner you can stop dreaming and start eating!
Don’t get us wrong. We love the atmosphere and food of an excellent Italian restaurant.
But for those nights when you don’t feel like getting out or just don’t want to spend the cash, this recipe for Chicken Parmesan Baked Zita lets you enjoy a 4-Star Michelin restaurant-quality Italian meal – at a fraction of the cost!
This delicious casserole has everything you could ask for; the delicious flavors of chicken parmesan mixed in with pasta and veggies, then baked in one pan for an incredible dish.
Our 25+ BEST Shredded Chicken Recipes (+Classic Chicken Salad)
These recipes are sure to please. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
