10+ Canned Chicken Recipes for Quick and Easy Meals

Canned chicken is honestly a lifesaver when you’re short on time. It comes ready to go, so you can toss it into meals for a quick protein boost without any fuss.

You can whip up easy, tasty dishes with canned chicken, even if your fridge is looking a little empty.

Using canned chicken means you can have dinner on the table fast, but it still feels homemade. Whether you’re just learning to cook or you want something effortless, canned chicken recipes really take the stress out of weeknight meals.

These ideas are perfect for those days when you’re running around but still want something satisfying.

1) Creamy Canned Chicken and Rice

This recipe is about as simple as it gets, which is honestly why I love it. Grab canned chicken and cooked rice, mix them up with creamy soup, and you’ve got a meal that’s both comforting and quick.

If you’re in the mood, toss in some cheese or veggies to bulk it up a bit. The cream of chicken soup keeps everything moist and packed with flavor.

Just bake it until it’s hot and bubbling. It’s hearty enough for a main dish, but honestly, it works as a side too.

Ingredients

• 2 cans of canned chicken
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix canned chicken, rice, and cream of chicken soup in a bowl.
3. Add salt and pepper. Stir well.
4. Pour mixture into a baking dish.
5. Sprinkle cheese on top if you want.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.

2) Chicken Enchilada Skillet

The Chicken Enchilada Skillet is one of those meals that comes together in a flash. Canned chicken makes it even easier—no need to cook meat first.

Mix the chicken with enchilada sauce, cheese, and spices, then let it all cook together in one pan. Corn tortillas make it more filling, and the melted cheese on top? So good.

You can use green chilies or red enchilada sauce, depending on what you like. It’s a warm, no-fuss dinner for busy nights.

Ingredients

• 1 can (12.5 oz) canned chicken, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
• 1 can (4 oz) green chilies
• 1 cup enchilada sauce
• 4-5 corn tortillas, cut into strips
• 1 small diced yellow onion
• 1 tsp taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
2. Sauté the onion until soft.
3. Add canned chicken, taco seasoning, and green chilies. Stir well.
4. Pour in enchilada sauce and mix.
5. Add tortilla strips and half the cheese. Stir gently.
6. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
7. Cover and cook until cheese melts, about 5 minutes.
8. Serve warm.

Find more tips for this recipe at Chicken Enchilada Skillet | The Modern Proper.

3) Buffalo Chicken Dip

Buffalo chicken dip is the ultimate party snack, and using canned chicken makes it ridiculously easy. You get that spicy kick from hot sauce, plus creamy cheese and ranch dressing.

Just toss everything together, bake until it’s bubbly, and you’re good to go. Serve it with chips or veggies.

If you like it spicier, add more hot sauce. Canned chicken keeps things simple and fast.

Ingredients:

• 2 (10-ounce) cans of canned chicken, drained
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• ¾ cup hot pepper sauce (like Frank’s RedHot)
• 1 cup ranch dressing
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix chicken, cream cheese, hot sauce, and ranch dressing in a bowl.
3. Spread in a baking dish.
4. Sprinkle cheddar cheese on top.
5. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and melted.
6. Serve warm with chips or veggies.

4) Mini Chicken Pot Pies

Mini chicken pot pies are cozy and surprisingly easy. Canned chicken keeps prep short, and using biscuit dough for the crust is a game-changer.

All you need is canned chicken, mixed veggies, and cream of chicken soup. Just mix, fill the biscuit cups, and bake.

They come together fast and smell amazing while they’re baking. You can even freeze extras if you want.

These little pies are great for snacks or quick dinners. They hold up well and are easy to eat on the go.

Ingredients

• 2 cans refrigerated biscuits (8 count each)
• 1 (12.5 oz) can chicken breast, drained
• 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
• 1 (10.5 oz) can condensed cream of chicken soup

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Flatten each biscuit and press into a muffin tin cup.
3. Mix canned chicken, vegetables, and cream of chicken soup in a bowl.
4. Spoon the mixture into each biscuit cup.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes until biscuits are golden brown.

5) Cheesy Baked Chicken Nuggets

Cheesy baked chicken nuggets are a fun twist on the classic. Canned chicken, cheese, and an egg come together for a quick, oven-baked snack.

Just mix everything, season it how you like, and shape into nuggets. Bake until golden and you’re set.

They’re crispy on the outside, soft inside, and a lot less greasy than fried nuggets. Great for dipping, too.

Ingredients

• 1 can (6 oz) canned chicken, drained
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• 1 egg
• Seasonings of choice (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix canned chicken, cheese, egg, and seasonings in a bowl.
3. Shape into nuggets and place on a baking sheet.
4. Bake for 15-20 minutes, until golden and firm.
5. Let cool a bit, then dig in.

More on this recipe at Easy Baked Chicken Nuggets Made with Canned Chicken.

6) Seven Can Chicken Casserole

Seven can chicken casserole is about as pantry-friendly as it gets. You just open up your cans, mix them, add noodles, and bake.

It’s comforting, simple, and you can swap in whatever canned veggies you have on hand. If you want, use cooked shredded chicken instead of canned.

Ingredients

• 1 can canned chicken
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 can black beans (drained)
• 1 can corn (drained)
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 3/4 can egg noodles

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix the first six cans and 3/4 can of noodles in a bowl.
3. Pour into a casserole dish.
4. Top with the rest of the noodles.
5. Bake for 20-30 minutes until bubbly.

For more details, see this 7-Can Casserole recipe.

7) Chicken Alfredo with Canned Chicken

Chicken Alfredo with canned chicken is the kind of meal you make when you want something rich but don’t want to fuss. No need to cook chicken from scratch.

Just mix canned chicken with heavy cream, Parmesan, and pasta. It’s quick, filling, and honestly feels a little indulgent.

You can have it ready in under an hour. Most of the ingredients are pantry staples, so you don’t have to plan ahead.

Ingredients

• 1 can of premium white meat chicken
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 8 oz fettuccine or pasta of choice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain.
2. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
3. Add canned chicken and warm it up.
4. Pour in heavy cream and simmer for about 5 minutes.
5. Stir in Parmesan until the sauce thickens.
6. Toss pasta with sauce, season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve it up warm.

Find more ideas in this Easy Chicken Alfredo Bake recipe.

8) Chicken Noodle Soup

Chicken noodle soup is pure comfort, and canned chicken makes it happen fast. Heat broth in a pot, then add the chicken, noodles, and whatever veggies you’ve got.

You can use fresh or frozen vegetables—whatever’s easiest. Let it simmer until the noodles are soft and the soup is piping hot.

It’s a one-pot meal that’s perfect for when you’re short on time. Canned chicken means you can get cozy with a bowl of soup in no time.

Ingredients

• 1 can of chicken, drained
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup egg noodles
• 1 cup mixed vegetables (fresh or frozen)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium.
2. Add canned chicken and cook for a couple minutes.
3. Pour in chicken broth and bring to a boil.
4. Add noodles and vegetables.
5. Lower the heat and simmer 10-12 minutes until noodles are tender.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.

9) Crispy Chicken Fritters

Crispy chicken fritters are honestly one of the easiest ways to use canned chicken. They cook up fast and have that golden, crunchy outside with a soft, savory center.

Kids tend to love them, but honestly, adults do too—especially when you want a snack that feels like a treat but doesn’t take forever. You can tweak the seasoning however you like.

Try garlic powder, dried herbs, or toss in a little cheese if you’re feeling it. Small fritters cook nicer and are just begging to be dipped in your favorite sauce.

You don’t need a bunch of ingredients, and the whole thing comes together before you know it.

Ingredients

• 1 can chicken breast, drained
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
• Garlic powder (to taste)

Cooking Instructions

1. Toss the canned chicken, egg, breadcrumbs, mayonnaise, and garlic powder into a bowl and mix it all up.
2. Shape the mixture into small patties—don’t worry about perfection.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
4. Cook the fritters for 3–4 minutes on each side, letting them get golden and crispy.
5. Drain them on paper towels and serve while they’re still warm.

10) Keto Canned Chicken Nuggets

You can whip up some pretty tasty keto chicken nuggets with canned chicken. It’s surprisingly easy and keeps things super low-carb.

Just grab some cheese and eggs to help everything stick together. Honestly, you don’t need much else.

You can toss them in an air fryer or just use your oven. Either way, you’ll get crispy nuggets without dumping in a bunch of oil.

I like to throw in garlic powder, onion powder, and a bit of Italian seasoning for extra flavor. You could always tweak the spices if you’re feeling adventurous.

Ingredients:

• 1 can (about 12 oz) canned chicken breast, drained
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat your air fryer or oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix the canned chicken, egg, mozzarella, Parmesan, and all your seasonings in a bowl.
3. Shape the mixture into little nuggets—whatever size feels right.
4. Lay them out on a baking sheet or in your air fryer basket.
5. Cook for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway, until they look golden and crisp.