Chicken dinner wins! Is there an easier or better ingredient than chicken? No? Then use frozen, already cooked chicken tenders in your recipes to take them to the next level!
Update: 7/23 Do you just need a bunch of super easy dinner ideas to help you meal plan every week? We created an epic inspiration binder of the easiest cheap meals. These aren’t recipes; they’re just quick and easy dinner ideas that people often forget about. Use them to quickly plan meals you’ll actually make.
These easy recipe helpers are seriously life changing. They cut cooking time way down and they work great in almost any chicken dish.
Tyson’s pre-cooked grilled chicken (or whatever brand your local store has) is healthy, simple and found right in your grocer’s freezer (often on sale). There’s also a refrigerator version, if you plan to enjoy them all right away. I’ve used these pre-cooked strips in TONS of recipes and I totally love them.
Using pre-cooked chicken saves you from touching raw chicken if you’re squeamish about such activities (or if you’re a bit of a food safety nut like me). No worries about “cross contamination” and other kitchen hazards.
Plus, they work in almost any dish. If you want to up the protein on your salad, add meat to your mac and cheese, or find a quick sandwich filling, here’s your answer!.
I learned to meal plan in the Hot Mess to Home Success course, which taught me how to reduce our spending by over $23,000 a year and actually organize my house (and keep it that way!). Which is pretty crazy considering where I started (you should have seen our fast food bill!). One of the things I learned in that course was to create change with bare minimum effort that I don’t need to have willpower to stick to. (I. e. I need to stop buying ingredients for chicken picatta and just give in to the fact that I’m not cooking full dinners. ) It worked!.
By far my favorite bonus about using frozen pre-cooked chicken in my recipes is how easy and FAST it is to make dinner for my family! I don’t have to worry about extra cooking time or last-minute trips to the store to buy new chicken (because how many times do we let the raw chicken sit in the fridge a few too many days before we get around to actually cooking it?). Meal planning and dinner prep is so much easier with pre-cooked chicken on hand. It’s always a win-win.
They’re healthy, low in calories, cheap, and easy to make because they’re made with white meat. My kids and husband both love them. It literally doesn’t get any better.
Precooked chicken can be a real game-changer in the kitchen. With so many delicious ways to use it, you’ll never get bored. Whether you’re looking for quick and easy weekday dinners or want to get creative on the weekends precooked chicken has you covered. In this article I’ll share 20 mouthwatering recipes to inspire your cooking with this versatile ingredient. Let’s get started!
Embracing the Convenience of Precooked Chicken
Precooked chicken products like rotisserie chicken, canned chicken breast, and frozen cooked chicken strips provide unbeatable convenience. Their ready-to-eat status cuts down cooking time substantially compared to using raw chicken. Beyond speed, precooked chicken also offers consistent portioning, allowing easier meal planning and macro tracking if that’s your goal. But the benefits don’t stop there. Precooked chicken is also budget-friendly, widely accessible at grocery stores, and has a relatively long shelf life. Knowing how to maximize its potential opens up a whole new world of effortless meals.
Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinners
On hectic weeknights, precooked chicken is clutch for whipping up fast, fuss-free dinners with minimal prep. Here are some of my go-to ideas:
Chicken Quesadillas
For a simple Mexican-style dinner, shredded rotisserie chicken and melted cheese go well together between tortillas. I love adding taco seasoning and fresh cilantro to make it taste better. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa on the side.
Chicken Caesar Salad Wrap
Make a quick and easy wrap with romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, and creamy Caesar dressing from leftover chicken. It’s a healthy lunch or light dinner that comes in the right amount of food.
Chicken Alfredo
Precooked chicken shortens the cooking process for this creamy, comfort food classic. Toss cubed chicken with Alfredo sauce and fettuccine pasta garnished with a little fresh parsley.
Elevating Beyond the Basics
But precooked chicken can stretch beyond basic meals. With a little creativity in seasoning and preparation, you can transform it into restaurant-worthy dishes.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Simmer shredded rotisserie chicken in a tomato and vegetable broth seasoned with cumin chili powder and lime juice. Top with crunchy tortilla strips, avocado, cilantro, and a squeeze of lime.
Chicken Pot Pie
Skip long hours simmering raw chicken. Make this American classic by combining precooked diced chicken with vegetables in a creamy sauce, topped with a flaky pastry crust.
Chicken Satay
Put peanut sauce on sliced chicken breast and grill it until it gets charred. Then put it on a skewer and serve it with rice, fresh herbs, cucumber slices, and extra peanut sauce to dip it in.
Global Flavors
Incorporate precooked chicken into ethnic cuisine to enjoy exotic flavors from around the world.
Chicken Tikka Masala
Marinate diced chicken in yogurt and Indian spices like coriander, cumin, and garam masala. Simmer in an aromatic tomato curry sauce and serve over basmati rice.
Chicken Banh Mi Sandwich
For a Vietnamese-style snack, put shredded chicken, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro, and chili mayo on a crusty baguette.
Chicken Shawarma Bowls
Season sliced chicken with a Middle Eastern spice blend. Roast until charred edges develop. Then toss with hummus, tomato, onion, and parsley over rice for a homemade takeout fake-out.
More Creative Ways to Use Precooked Chicken
If you think you’ve exhausted all options for precooked chicken, think again! Here are more unique recipe ideas to inspire you:
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Chicken Florentine Pasta – Combine chicken, spinach, garlic, and nutmeg in a creamy Parmesan sauce. Toss with penne pasta.
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Buffalo Chicken Calzones – Fill pizza dough with chicken tossed in Buffalo hot sauce, blue cheese, and shredded mozzarella.
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Chicken Enchilada Casserole – Layer tortillas, shredded chicken, enchilada sauce, beans, and cheese for a hearty baked dish.
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Chicken Banh Mi Burgers – Top chicken patties with Vietnamese pickled vegetables, cilantro, and Sriracha mayo.
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Chicken Club Lettuce Wraps – Ditch the bread and wrap diced chicken, bacon, tomato, and avocado in lettuce leaves.
Key Takeaways
The possibilities are truly endless when cooking with precooked chicken. Follow these tips to make the most of this versatile staple:
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Experiment with global spices and sauces to take it beyond boring.
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Use it as a flavorful protein boost for salads, sandwiches, pastas, and more.
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Take short prep recipes over the top by swapping in flavorful precooked chicken.
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Stash some in the freezer so you always have easy protein ready when needed.
With 20 recipes and endless inspiration, you’ll never run out of ideas for precooked chicken. Now grab a rotisserie chicken or can of cooked chicken and get cooking! What will you create?
Creamy Garlic Shells from For the Love of Dessert
She changes creamy cheese sauce in her own way by adding butter, garlic, cream, and a few other things. It only takes fifteen minutes to make the whole recipe, but if you’re not sure about the sauce, you can use your favorite boxed shells and white cheddar, adding garlic. This is pretty much just macaroni and cheese dressed up with grilled chicken and a little extra flavor. It’s simple, easy, and comforting!
Tyson Honey Barbecue Chicken Strip Pizza from Cooking in Bliss
For this recipe, she uses the Tyson Honey Barbecue Chicken Strips (oh yes, they come in flavors too!). if you love barbecue chicken pizza, this is an easy-peasy create-at-home version with hardly any prep. It’s out of the oven and on the table in less than half an hour. Serve with a salad as suggested for a healthy, satisfying meal to totally knock out your pizza craving!
MUST TRY ROTISSERIE CHICKEN CASSEROLES | BEST CHICKEN CASSEROLE RECIPES | EASY COOKING DINNER IDEAS
FAQ
What can I make with already cooked chicken?
Leftover chicken recipesChicken soup. A star rating of 4. 5 out of 5. One pot chicken and mushroom risotto. A star rating of 4. 8 out of 5. Easy coronation chicken. Chicken & bacon pasta. Chicken, leek & mushroom pies. Chicken fried rice. Honey-mustard chicken pasta. Creamy spinach, basil & chicken pasta.
What to do with premade chicken?
10 Ways to Turn Store-Bought Rotisserie Chicken Into a Healthy DinnerRotisserie Chicken Salad With Greens and Herbs. Chicken Tortilla Soup. Rotisserie Chicken and Greens Pasta. Crispy Wonton Chicken Salad. White Chicken Chili. Green Goddess Chicken Salad Sandwiches. Chicken and Red Lentil Soup With Lemony Yogurt.
How to eat leftover cooked chicken?
Ways to use cooked, shredded chicken:Make chicken enchiladas, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc. Mix with BBQ sauce for BBQ chicken sandwiches, sliders, wraps or saladsUse for a quick chicken skillet with veggies and seasonings (such as a southwest chicken skillet or chicken hash).
How to use ready made chicken?
Whip up a no-cook “stir-fry” with broccoli cole slaw and your favorite low-calorie sauce. BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad in a Jar. 292 calories. Chop-tastic Chicken BLT Sandwich. 287 calories. Scoopable Chinese Chicken Salad. 195 calories. Greek Salad in a Jar. 286 calories.
How do you cook pre cooked chicken?
Coat your boneless, skinless chicken breasts in olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place in a baking pan. Cook for 10 minutes on 500 degrees. Turn the chicken over. Cook for another 10 minutes. Let cool and store in a container in your refrigerator until you need for the next meal. Seasoning pre-cooked chicken is the easiest thing you’ll do!.
Can pre cooked chicken be used for meal planning?
Meal planning doesn’t have to be painful or inflexible. These 10 Easy to Cook Dinners use pre-cooked chicken to simplify meal preparation during the week. Planning on grilling this weekend? Throw some extra chicken on the grill and save it for one of these recipes during the week.
Do I need to season pre cooked chicken before baking?
The easiest thing to do is season chicken that has already been cooked. All you need to do is sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken before baking it. You can use different seasonings to make the dish you’re making taste better when you season it after it’s cooked. I don’t generally add anything except salt and pepper.
What to eat with canned chicken?
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. You can also add chopped celery for a snappy bite.
Can I use canned chicken for chicken pot pie?
Chicken pot pie is a homestyle staple during the cold winter months, and canned chicken is just one way to make it a bit easier on yourself. If you use canned chicken instead of fresh chicken for this recipe, you won’t have to cook it ahead of time.
What can I do with canned chicken?
You can also use your canned chicken for Asian-inspired chicken lettuce wraps. Cook the chicken with crisp water chestnuts, ginger, onion, and crunchy veggies until aromatic and flavorful then spoon the mix into your lettuce boats.