10+ Shredded Chicken Recipes to Simplify Your Weeknight Dinners
Shredded chicken is a versatile ingredient that can elevate many dishes. You can create a variety of meals, from tacos to salads, using shredded chicken as the base. Whether you’re short on time or looking to meal prep, these recipes will make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
With its mild flavor, shredded chicken works well with different spices and sauces. This makes it a perfect choice for both quick dinners and impressive meals for guests. Incorporating shredded chicken can add both convenience and deliciousness to your cooking routine.
1) Classic Chicken Enchiladas
Classic chicken enchiladas are a delicious meal that’s easy to make. You start with corn tortillas filled with shredded chicken and cheese. Add a tasty enchilada sauce on top for extra flavor.
You can use cooked chicken that you shred at home or get a rotisserie chicken for convenience. The cheese melts beautifully, making every bite gooey and satisfying.
This dish is perfect for family dinners or gatherings with friends. Serve with rice and beans for a complete meal that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 8 corn tortillas
- 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 2 cups enchilada sauce
- 1/2 cup chopped onion (optional)
- Olive oil for cooking
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Warm the tortillas in a skillet until soft.
- Fill each tortilla with chicken, cheese, and onion.
- Roll up and place in a baking dish.
- Pour enchilada sauce over the rolled tortillas.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly.
2) Buffalo Chicken Dip
Buffalo chicken dip is a delicious and creamy appetizer. It’s perfect for parties or game day. You will love how easy it is to make.
To start, you will need shredded chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing, hot sauce, and shredded cheese. This dip combines these flavors for a tasty treat.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce in a large bowl. Then, fold in the shredded chicken.
Spread the mixture into a baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Bake for about 20 minutes, or until it’s hot and bubbly. Serve it with chips or veggies for dipping.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, mix cream cheese, ranch dressing, and hot sauce.
- Fold in the shredded chicken.
- Spread the mixture in a baking dish.
- Top with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly.
3) Spicy Chicken Tinga Stew
Spicy Chicken Tinga Stew is a flavorful dish that brings a taste of Mexico to your kitchen. This recipe combines tender shredded chicken with a smoky and tangy tomato-chipotle sauce. It’s perfect for tacos, tostadas, or serving over rice.
You start by simmering chicken thighs with garlic, onions, and spices. After cooking, shred the chicken and mix it with the sauce for an exciting meal. Serve it warm and enjoy the rich flavors.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken thighs
- 1 onion, halved
- 3 garlic cloves
- 2 cups chicken stock
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2-3 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
Cooking Instructions
- In a large pot, add chicken thighs, chicken stock, halved onion, garlic cloves, and salt.
- Bring to a simmer over high heat (about 200°F or 93°C).
- Cook for 30-40 minutes until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken, shred it, and set aside.
- Blend the tomatoes and chipotle peppers until smooth.
- Mix the sauce into the pot and add the shredded chicken.
- Simmer for 10 minutes and serve. Enjoy your stew!
4) Chicken Caesar Wraps
Chicken Caesar wraps are a delicious and simple option for lunch or dinner. They are filled with shredded chicken, crunchy romaine lettuce, and tasty Caesar dressing. This recipe is perfect for using pre-cooked chicken, making it quick to prepare.
To make these wraps, start with large tortillas. Add a generous amount of shredded lettuce and cooked chicken. Sprinkle on some grated Parmesan cheese for added flavor. Drizzle with Caesar dressing, then wrap it up tightly.
These wraps are easy to customize. You can add extras like avocado for creaminess or croutons for crunch. They are perfect for a light meal or a picnic.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 4 large tortillas
- 3 cups chopped romaine lettuce
- ½ cup Caesar dressing
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Lay out each tortilla flat.
- Spread shredded lettuce on each tortilla.
- Top with shredded chicken and Parmesan cheese.
- Drizzle with Caesar dressing.
- Wrap tightly and serve.
5) BBQ Chicken Pizza
BBQ Chicken Pizza is a delicious and easy dish that you can make at home. You start with a pizza crust topped with tangy barbecue sauce. Then, add shredded chicken, cheese, and your favorite toppings like onions and cilantro.
The combination of flavors makes this pizza a favorite for many. You can use mozzarella or even Gouda cheese for a rich taste. Baking it until bubbly will give you a perfect meal for family nights or parties.
Ingredients
- Pizza crust
- 1 cup barbecue sauce
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup red onions, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 475°F (245°C).
- Spread the barbecue sauce over the pizza crust.
- Layer the shredded chicken and red onions on top.
- Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the pizza.
- Bake for 8-12 minutes until cheese bubbles.
- Garnish with cilantro before serving.
6) Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken tortilla soup is a delicious and easy meal that packs a lot of flavor. It features shredded chicken, veggies, and spices, making it a hearty choice for dinner. You can add your favorite toppings for extra flavor and crunch.
This soup works well with rotisserie chicken, which saves time. You can mix in ingredients like corn, black beans, and peppers for variety. Crispy tortilla strips on top give the soup a great texture.
Enjoy this meal with cheese, avocado, or cilantro to make it even better. It’s perfect for a cozy night in or a gathering with friends.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 can black beans, drained
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 bell pepper, diced
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Tortilla strips
- Optional toppings: cheese, avocado, cilantro
Cooking Instructions
- In a pot, combine chicken, black beans, corn, diced bell pepper, chicken broth, and spices.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve hot, topped with tortilla strips and your favorite toppings.
7) Creamy Chicken Alfredo Bake
A Creamy Chicken Alfredo Bake is a delicious option for dinner that your family will love. This dish combines tender shredded chicken, pasta, and a rich Alfredo sauce. It’s easy to prepare and perfect for weeknight meals.
To make this bake, start with rotini or any pasta of your choice. Mix the cooked pasta with cooked chicken, Alfredo sauce, and cheese. You can add spices like garlic powder for extra flavor.
Bake everything together in the oven at 350°F (175°C) until bubbly and golden. This dish is a creamy, cheesy comfort food that’s sure to satisfy.
Ingredients
- 3 cups cooked rotini pasta
- 2 cups shredded cooked chicken
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, Alfredo sauce, garlic powder, and cheese.
- Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted.
8) Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps are a fun and healthy meal option. They are simple to make and full of flavor. You can enjoy them for lunch or dinner.
To prepare, start with shredded chicken mixed with carrots, green onions, and a tasty sauce. Using lettuce leaves as cups adds a nice crunch. You can fit a lot of filling into each wrap!
These wraps are not just delicious but also low in carbs, making them a good choice for many diets. They can be ready in about 30 minutes, perfect for a quick meal.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 cup chopped carrots
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 8-10 large lettuce leaves (like romaine or Boston Bibb)
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, mix shredded chicken, carrots, green onions, soy sauce, and sesame oil.
- Spoon the chicken mixture into lettuce leaves.
- Serve and enjoy immediately!
9) Southwest Chicken Casserole
Southwest Chicken Casserole is a delicious and hearty dish. It’s perfect for family dinners and gatherings. You’ll love how easy it is to make.
Start with shredded chicken, which can be from a rotisserie or cooked at home. Mix in black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce for flavorful layers.
Top it with corn tortillas and cheese for a tasty finish. Bake until everything is hot and bubbly. This dish is packed with flavor and is sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 2 cups shredded chicken
- 1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 can corn, drained
- 1 cup enchilada sauce
- 6 corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheese
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
- In a bowl, mix chicken, black beans, corn, and enchilada sauce.
- In a baking dish, layer corn tortillas with the chicken mixture and cheese.
- Repeat layers and top with cheese.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until bubbly.
10) Lemon Herb Chicken Salad
Lemon Herb Chicken Salad is a refreshing dish you can make with shredded chicken. The bright flavors of lemon and fresh herbs will make your taste buds happy.
Start with cooked, shredded chicken. Mix it with Greek yogurt for creaminess. Then, add a touch of Dijon mustard for flavor.
Adding diced celery and green onions gives it a nice crunch. Don’t forget the fresh herbs! Parsley and dill work great here. Finish with a squeeze of lemon for extra zest.
Serve this salad on its own or in a sandwich.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked, shredded chicken
- 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 cup diced celery
- 1/4 cup diced green onions
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- In a bowl, combine the shredded chicken, Greek yogurt, and Dijon mustard.
- Add diced celery, green onions, parsley, and dill.
- Squeeze in lemon juice and mix well.
- Then, season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or chill for later.