What Does Shredded Chicken Go With? 23 Delicious Ways to Use Leftover Chicken

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These 12 ways to use cooked, shredded chicken will give you new, fun, delicious ideas of ways to use leftover cooked chicken. List of ideas and specific recipes included.

Everybody has it, sometimes they need a little help on how to use it, like me, I have it ALL THE TIME.

When I saw a container of chicken in the fridge, I thought, “That’s right, it’s cooked and ready to use. But what the heck do I want to make with it?”

Below I’ve got a list of ways to use the shredded chicken. And below that I’ve also included links to specific recipes, in case you need some.

And these are ideas and recipes you can use for ANY kind of cooked, shredded chicken, whether that’s homemade rotisserie style roast chicken or a store-bought rotisserie.

I often make a batch of Instant Pot shredded chicken. (You can also make crockpot shredded chicken if you have a slow cooker but not a pressure cooker. ).

You can make a ton of it at once, it’s super easy and affordable, and it stores great.

I almost always have at least a couple of bags of leftover shredded chicken in my freezer. It’s so easy to pull out for meals. And it’s super helpful on crazy weeks to have some protein cooked and ready to go.

But I also love the convenience of picking up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store.

(And it’s a must when I go to Costco. I usually get two of theirs – they are so good!).

Which means I’ve got TONS of ideas of ways you can use it and tons of recipes, too.

This is a list I actually started a decade before I even had this blog. I have a binder of resources like this that I refer to when I need some inspiration.

As for the old list, I just recently found it and updated it. I’m so excited to share it with you all!

Here are my top 12 ways to use leftover chicken, but keep reading below for specific recipes you might want to check out as well.

Shredded chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients to have on hand. It can transform a simple weeknight dinner into something restaurant-worthy in minutes. Whether you cook and shred a whole chicken yourself or use leftover rotisserie chicken, shredded chicken has endless possibilities. In this article, we’ll explore 23 delicious ways to use leftover chicken so you can get creative with this protein-packed staple.

Soups and Stews

Shredded chicken goes well with hearty soups and stews. The small pieces blend in easily with brothy dishes, adding protein and letting flavors soak in. Here are some classic shredded chicken soup recipes:

  • When you add shredded chicken, noodles, carrots, and celery to chicken noodle soup, it makes it even more hearty.

  • Chicken Tortilla Soup – Southwestern flavors like corn, black beans, jalapenos and tortilla strips pair well with shredded chicken and zesty seasonings.

  • Buffalo Chicken Soup – Creamy and indulgent, made spicy with hot sauce and topped with blue cheese crumbles

  • Chicken and Dumplings: This Southern classic is made even better with fluffy dumplings cooked right in the chicken broth.

  • Chicken Posole: This hearty chicken stew has a Mexican flavor thanks to the hominy chiles and lime juice.

Wraps and Sandwiches

Shredded chicken makes an easy protein-packed filling for wraps, sandwiches and pitas. Try mixing it with flavorful sauces and crunchy vegetables. Recommended combinations include:

  • Chicken Caesar Wrap – Shredded chicken, romaine lettuce, Parmesan and Caesar dressing.

  • BBQ Chicken Sandwich – Top shredded chicken with BBQ sauce, melted Cheddar and crispy fried onions on a bun.

  • Buffalo Chicken Wrap – Toss chicken in hot sauce with lettuce, tomatoes, celery and blue cheese dressing.

  • Greek Chicken Pita – Chicken, cucumbers, tomato, onion, feta and tzatziki sauce.

  • Chicken Banh Mi – Chicken, pickled carrots and daikon, cucumber, cilantro and spicy mayo.

Enchiladas, Tacos and Burritos

Shredded chicken is ideal for Mexican cuisine. It soaks up spices and blends well with beans, rice and veggies. Ways to enjoy it include:

  • Chicken Enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with chicken, cheese, onions and top with enchilada or tomatillo sauce.

  • Chicken Tacos – Season chicken with cumin, chili powder and cilantro and add toppings like avocado, queso fresco and pineapple salsa.

  • Chicken Burritos – Load flour tortillas with chicken, black beans, rice, cheese, lettuce, salsa and sour cream.

  • Chicken Tinga Tacos – Chicken sautéed in a spicy, tangy chipotle sauce with shredded lettuce and queso fresco.

  • Chicken Fajitas – Sizzle chicken with bell peppers and onion, then wrap in warm tortillas.

Salads and Bowls

Toss shredded chicken with fresh greens, veggies and flavorful dressings for satisfying salads and bowls. Ideas include:

  • Chicken Cobb Salad – Chicken, bacon, hard-boiled eggs, avocado, tomatoes, onion and blue cheese on lettuce.

  • Chicken Caesar Salad – Romaine lettuce, chicken, Parmesan, croutons and creamy Caesar dressing.

  • Chicken Taco Salad – Chicken, lettuce, black beans, corn, tortilla chips, cheese, salsa and lime vinaigrette.

  • Thai Chicken Salad – Chicken, cabbage, carrots, edamame, cilantro, peanuts and spicy Thai dressing.

  • Chicken Buddha Bowl – Chicken, quinoa, sautéed veggies, avocado and tahini dressing.

Casseroles and Pastas

Stretch shredded chicken by baking into comforting casseroles or tossing with pasta. Try recipes like:

  • Chicken Pot Pie – Chicken, vegetables and sauce baked between a flaky pie crust.

  • King Ranch Chicken – Chicken, tortilla chips, peppers, cream of chicken soup and cheese make this Tex-Mex classic.

  • Chicken Parmesan Pasta – Toss chicken with penne, marinara sauce and mozzarella.

  • Chicken Tetrazzini – A creamy blend of chicken, pasta, mushrooms, sherry and Parmesan cheese.

  • Chicken Lasagna – Layer lasagna noodles with chicken, ricotta, mozzarella and marinara sauce.

Snacks and Appetizers

Shredded chicken also shines in finger foods and party appetizers. Some crowdpleasing recipes include:

  • Buffalo Chicken Dip – Chicken blended with cream cheese, Cheddar, hot sauce and served with tortilla chips.

  • Chicken Nachos – Top tortilla chips with chicken, beans, salsa, cheese and jalapenos.

  • Chicken Sliders – Pile chicken on petite buns with toppings like pesto mayo, bacon and Swiss cheese.

  • Chicken Quesadillas – Sauté chicken with onions and peppers, stuff in tortillas with cheese.

  • Chicken Lettuce Wraps – Stir-fry chicken in an Asian-style sauce and serve in lettuce cups.

As you can see, the possibilities are endless when it comes to using up leftover shredded chicken! With a little creativity, you can give weeknight meals exciting new flavor. Shredded chicken is budget-friendly, nutritious and easy to incorporate into all kinds of global cuisines. Keep your fridge stocked with this versatile ingredient so you’re never short on quick and delicious dinner ideas.

what does shredded chicken go with

Ways to use cooked, shredded chicken:

  • Make chicken enchiladas, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc.
  • BBQ chicken sliders, sandwiches, wraps, or salads can be made with this mix and BBQ sauce.
  • It can be used to make a quick chicken skillet with vegetables and spices, like a chicken hash or southwest chicken skillet.
  • Like King Ranch chicken casserole, chicken and rice casserole, chicken divan, chicken pot pie, or another favorite? Make a casserole.
  • Use as the protein for grain bowls
  • Dress it with something and put it on a salad or use it to make a mason jar salad.
  • You can make it a main dish by adding your favorite pasta or quinoa salad.
  • Soups, stews, and chili can all use it. Try chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, or white chicken chili.
  • Use for chicken fried rice or a quick chicken curry
  • Add to pizza for a protein boost
  • Use for stuffed pitas with some hummus or tzatziki
  • Make chicken salad for sandwiches, wraps, etc.

Now you have some new and fun ways to use your leftover chicken, along with the ones you already know how to do.

And in case you are need of some specific recipes, I’ve got you covered.

Check out these recipes below for inspiration. They are roughly in the order of the ideas listed above, and Ive broken them up into smaller sections with labels, to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

(Cause yes, there are a lot!)

Some of them call for chopped cooked chicken, but its fine to substitute shredded. (Or if you havent cut it up yet, feel free to chop it instead. ).

The SECRET to shredding chicken #chicken #foodhacks #cooking

FAQ

What are good sides for shredded chicken?

16 Delicious Side Dishes for Your Chicken DinnerCrispy Parmesan Potatoes. Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm. Creamy Polenta. Elise Bauer. Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Garlic and Chile Oil. Coconut Lime Rice. Baked Acorn Squash with Butter and Brown Sugar. 5-Minute Yamitsuki Cabbage. Garlic Fried Rice. Lyonnaise Potatoes.

What goes best with pulled chicken?

BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches go well with coleslaw, potato salad, french fries, and baked beans, among other things.

Where can I use shredded chicken?

Shredded chicken recipesRoast chicken for weeknight leftovers. A star rating of 0 out of 5. Thai chicken & mushroom broth. Chicken & pesto pasta. Chicken soup. Creamy spinach, basil & chicken pasta. Chicken, green bean & sundried tomato salad with chicken fat croutons. Chow mein. Waste-nothing chicken & dumpling stew.

What are good sides to pair with chicken?

Cranberry Apple Quinoa Salad. PHOTO: ERIK BERNSTEIN; FOOD STYLING: BARRETT WASHBURNE. French Onion Cabbage Gratin. Garlic-Parmesan Roasted Carrots. Air Fryer Green Beans. Smashed Brussels Sprouts. Roasted Fennel With Delicata Squash & Apples. Sweet Potato Salad. Creamy Tuscan Orzo.

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