30 Shredded Chicken Recipes You’ll Actually Make Again

With shredded chicken, one of the meals made by the cook can be transformed into several other meals. It is great for changing up the options of using leftover poached chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, or mass cooking in the slow cooker. The following recipes include warm soups, vibrant salads, and dinners with interesting sauces. Choose a few to rotate and keep the rest for the upcoming busy weeks.

1) Classic Chicken Salad

This is the trustworthy lunch that is always loved when it’s in the fridge. Mix shredded chicken with mayo, diced celery, a touch of Dijon mustard, some salt, and a generous amount of black pepper. For a sweeter flavor, consider adding halved grapes or a spoonful of relish. The mixture can be served on toasted bread, or even wrapped and stacked on some crackers.

2) Buffalo Chicken Dip

The pulled chicken dip I made for dinner has pulled chicken in it. To make this dip, you need to mix the chicken with some cream cheese, add in some hot sauce, and then your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing, and bake it. Usually at this stage, the dip should have a golden color to it and be scoopable. It goes great with some tortilla chips, celery sticks, or toasted pieces of baguettes.

3) Chicken Enchiladas

Enchiladas are great for utilizing a small amount of chicken and turn it into an entire sheet pan dinner. To do this, you mix shredded chicken with chopped and sautéed onions, along with some enchilada sauce and shredded cheese, all wrapped in tortillas. I like to add more sauce and bake until everything is bubbly. For some freshness, sliced avocado and a squeeze of lime work great.

4) Green Chile Enchiladas

If you like creamy and zesty flavor combinations in your enchiladas, you have to try this recipe! For this one, you combine shredded chicken with roasted green chiles and a creamy sauce (typically sour cream), then roll and bake until the edges are nice and crisp and the middle is gooey. Finish with some chopped cilantro on top for an extra burst of flavor!

5) Chicken Tostadas

Chicken Tinga has a rich tomato base, a slight smokiness, and a touch of spiciness. Shredded chicken is simmered in a sauce made of tomatoes and chipotle combined with sweet, caramelized onions. Chicken Tinga goes great on tostadas along with some crunchy lettuce and a little drizzle of cream. It is messy, (but in a good way), so be sure to grab some napkins.

6) Chicken Taco Filling

To answer “I need dinner in 15 minutes,” you can do the following. Also, in a skillet heat up the shredded chicken while incorporating taco seasoning, and for easy sauciness, add some broth. Allow this mixture to simmer until the sauce becomes uniformly sticky. This can be used for tacos, burritos, or a quick taco salad.

7) Chicken Quesadillas

You can make quesadillas with any type of cheese and leftover chicken. Simply fry a tortilla with some shredded chicken and cheese, and it will get a nice crispy golden color. The chicken will stay moist as it reheats within the tortilla. You can also serve them with salsa, guacamole, or sour cream.

8) White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is creamy comfort without the hassle of a long simmer. Mix the shredded chicken, white beans, broth, cumin, and green chiles, and let them simmer. For an extra touch, consider a splash of lime juice and some cilantro. It makes this even more appealing for meal prep since meal is even better the next day.

9) Chicken Tortilla Soup

The difference with the chicken soup is the toppings. This soup is made heartier with the addition of shredded chicken. Simmer chicken in a tomato-chile broth with onions and spices. You can also add corn or black beans if you like. Serve into bowls and top with tortilla strips, avocado, and a squeeze of lime juice. For maximum crunch, store the tortilla strips in a separate container until serving time.

10) Chicken Noodle Soup

Shredded chicken provides the coziness of warm food without the extended cooking time. Heat a small amount of oil, then sauté the diced carrots, celery, and onion. Pour in the broth and cook until the vegetables are tender. To prevent them from cooking too much, add the shredded chicken and noodles. Chopped parsley added at the end of the dish will enhance the overall freshness of the bowl.

11) Creamy Chicken Soup

Although this soup can be considered a dinner meal due to its heartiness, it really tastes more like a lunch soup. The wild rice adds a nice nutty flavor which goes really well with leftovers. I added shredded chicken at the end to keep it tender. You could have it with a simple salad or some bread to dip in the soup.

12) BBQ Chicken Sliders

Barbeque sauce and shredded chicken are a match made in heaven. You can use any barbeque sauce you want and heat the chicken up until its nice and glossy and coated in sauce. For some extra crunch, you can add coleslaw to the slider bun. These are super easy to make for gatherings and are even good for “breakfast for dinner” kind of meals.

13) BBQ Chicken Pizza

BBQ Chicken Pizza is one of the simplest pizzas to prepare since it is not necessary to slice the pizza to serve it. Simply apply a layer of BBQ sauce on the base and add shredded chicken, red onion, and cheese on top. Bake the pizza until the base is crunchy and the cheese is melted and bubbly. For a classic finishing touch, add some chopped cilantro.

14) Chicken Alfredo Bake

With the addition of chicken, this has also become a great meal extender for the family. Toss cooked pasta with Alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, and some mozzarella, and then bake until the cheese is melted. I especially like it when the top gets a little brown and crispy. To add some more green veggies you could add peas or spinach.

15) Chicken Pesto Pasta

Pesto elevates shredded chicken so that it becomes a little more interesting. With the chicken, combine it with some hot pasta to warm it. To cut the richness of the dish, add a squeeze of lemon. Finish with grated parmesan and some cracked pepper.

16) Chicken Fried Rice

Fried rice is great for chicken that has been left over and rice that is a day old. After mixing and cooking the diced vegetables with the eggs, add rice and the chicken that has been shredded. You can season with soy sauce and sesame oil if desired. You have created a meal that is filling, easy to make, and uses ingredients from your fridge that are left over.

17) Chicken Lettuce Wraps

The wraps offer the sensation of a having a full meal, despite their lightness. Take some of the warmed shredded chicken mixed with the sauce (soy and garlic with a touch of sweet) and place it in the leaves of lettuce. For a little extra crunch, add peanuts and some shredded carrots. These wraps are perfect for warm evenings when you don’t want a heavy meal. See the full recipe here.

18) Chicken Ramen

Many ways exist to elevate instant ramen to a more nutritious and well-rounded meal. As a protein option, shredded chicken can be added to the broth and it will also help with heating the broth. To help keep the broth the right color, consider adding spinach or bok choy at the very end. If you would prefer some heat, scallions and chili oil can now be added.

19) Chicken Caesar Wraps

Chicken Caesar Wraps can be prepared in just a few minutes and are great for someone in need of a quick meal. For this wrap, you can combine shredded chicken and romaine lettuce with Caesar dressing in a large tortilla and wrap it up. You can also add some crunch by including Parmesan cheese and some crushed croutons. When wrapping the tortilla, be sure to do it tightly to prevent the dressing from leaking out when the wrap is bitten into.

20) Greek Chicken Pitas

The shredded chicken has a delightful herbal quality because of the Greek spices. To prepare it, just add the chicken with some dried oregano, a drizzle of olive oil, minced garlic, and a squeeze of lemon, and warm it up. You can serve it with pitas and tzatziki, and include some chopped tomatoes and cucumbers for a nice change from thicker sauces.

21) Chicken Shawarma Bowls

With the use of some common kitchen spices, you can recreate the experience of eating shawarma. Warm shredded chicken with cumin, paprika, garlic, along with a hint of lemon. For the side options, we recommend yogurt sauce, chopped salad, and a side of rice. How do you feel about pickles or pickled onions?

22) Chicken Parmesan Sliders

Breading and frying is not a part of this dish, but you can still enjoy the chicken parmesan experience. Warm shredded chicken in marinara and tuck cheese and then broil just until the cheese has melted and the tops are light brown. A side salad can help create some balance.

23) Stuffed Baked Potatoes

Baked potatoes can be paired with any type of chicken. Take some of the fluff and mix it with shredded chicken and cheese. The fluff will melt the cheese as it steams. Sour cream, hot sauce, and chives are great toppings. It is quick to put together and easy make.

24) Chicken Burrito Bowls

Burrito bowls are simple to make and can be tailored to your liking with different toppings! Start with some rice and add black beans, shredded chicken, and fire roasted salsa. Diced avocado is a good addition and a lime should go in the drink. To make this ahead of time, store the wet toppings separately.

25) Chicken Fajita Skillet

You can still have fajitas that don’t start with fresh meat. Sauté peppers and onions until they get some color, then stir in some shredded chicken and spices. Finally, a little lime juice enhances the whole dish. It can be had with some rice, tortillas, or greens.

26) Chicken Pot Pie

The recipe for this cozy classic has been simplified with the use of shredded chicken. Stir chicken into a creamy filling with peas and carrots, then add the biscuits on top. Bake until the biscuits are brown and the filling bubbles at the edges. Leave it for a minute or two so the servings stick together.

27) Chicken And Dumplings

Even pre-cooked chicken makes chicken and dumplings perfect for that Sunday slow cooker vibe! All you need to do is quickly prepare a broth and vegetables (and of course, heat the chicken), and then drop spoonfuls of stew dumpling dough into the broth. Steam close the slow cooker lid to make those dumplings fluffy! The inviting aroma dinner will be ready in moments!

28) Chicken Stuffed Shells

If making dinner in advance is a priority, then chicken stuffed shells will be ideal! For an added protein boost, you can mix shredded chicken into the ricotta filling. The filling will also include Parmesan cheese and spinach! Then, fill the mixture into the cooked pasta shells and enjoy! Nestle in marinara and bake until hot and bubbly. Since you are already working on this, you could also freeze another tray.

29) Chicken Banh Mi Sandwiches

Warm chicken, some spice, and crunchy veggies combine for the chicken banh mi sandwiches. Shred the chicken and combine it with a sauce that is just spicy enough. Put this in a baguette with some quick-pickled veggies and sliced cucumbers. If you want it spicy, you can also add sliced jalapeños and fresh cilantro. The crunch helps balance out the heaviness of the sandwiches.

30) Chicken Chowder

Corn chowder is naturally sweet and cozy, and with shredded chicken, it makes it a complete meal. While the potatoes, broth, and corn are warming, add the chicken at the last minute. Adding a bit of cream (or milk) will make everything easier to soften. You can also serve it with buttered toast for dipping. Or, you can also serve it with crackers.