Food and Recipes Dinner 30 Shredded Chicken Recipes For Easy Weeknight Dinners By Kaitlyn Yarborough Kaitlyn Yarborough Part of the Southern Living team since 2017, Kaitlyn Yarborough is a Georgia native living in Austin, Texas, who covers a wide variety of topics for both the magazine and website, focusing on culture and lifestyle content, as well as travel in the South. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on March 14, 2023 Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall When turning out a warm and delicious weeknight dinner just seems like a lost cause, it's time to get creative. We all need a secret weapon in the kitchen when time is short, but the hunger is real. Keeping shredded chicken on hand—whether pulled from a store-bought rotisserie chicken or picked up from your local barbecue joint—is a saving grace when dinner needs to be quick and easy. Shredded chicken recipes go well beyond just slow-cooker tacos too, with tasty options including creamy pasta bakes, classic comfort dishes, hearty stews, and Tex-Mex casseroles. From Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits to Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps, there are so many ways to use shredded chicken. Plan out your no-fuss menu starring these recipes using shredded chicken. 01 of 30 Chicken Bog Greg DuPree This old-fashioned, quick-fix recipe has been filling up Southerners on busy weeknights for decades past. Shredded rotisserie chicken makes it easy to throw together in a pinch. 02 of 30 Buffalo Chicken Casserole Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis What can we say: we'll turn just about anything into a casserole, including Buffalo Chicken. That spicy taste combines with pasta and blue cheese for an unforgettable meal. 03 of 30 Chicken Caprese Pasta Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox We can't get enough of this easy summer supper. Using all things fresh—fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh herb pesto, and fresh mozzarella cheese—this dish features tender linguine and no-fuss shredded chicken. 04 of 30 Chicken Chili Hector Sanchez Not only does using a rotisserie chicken make this chili lighter than a traditional beef version, but it makes it even easier to prepare as well. It's packed full of delicious spices, crushed tomatoes, garlic, and seasonal vegetables. 05 of 30 White Lightning Chicken Chili Becky Luigart Stayner Get this one-dish meal on the table in just 30 minutes. (They don't call it "Lightning" for nothing!) Green chiles, shredded chicken, and navy beans give Southwest flavor and dinnertime heartiness to this chili. 06 of 30 Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett It'll be hard to get past the topping made of biscuits with sharp Cheddar cheese, chopped bacon, and chives; but the inside is just as tasty. Packed with veggies and shredded chicken, it's a well-rounded meal created in your 13x9 baking dish. 07 of 30 Southwest Chicken Tortillas Greg DuPree Using microwaveable basmati rice, pre-shredded Mexican cheese, and rotisserie chicken makes these chicken tortillas come together quicker than greased lightning. Toasted tortillas make this dish a weeknight standout. 08 of 30 Chicken Stir-Fry Greg Dupree Not to be dramatic, but you can literally have this stir-fry ready quicker than you can order takeout. In just ten minutes. It's full of tangy Asian flavor, chicken, veggies, and rice. Need we say more? 09 of 30 Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings Iain Bagwell Cornbread dumplings take this vegetable-and-chicken-packed stew to the next level. Let your slow cooker take care of the aromatic base and shredded chicken for you without any worries. 10 of 30 Farmers' Market Pasta Salad Hector Manuel Sanchez We love any recipe that lets you use all of your farmers' market finds in one fell swoop. Pasta, vinaigrette, and shredded smoked chicken (from your local barbecue joint) make for a fresh, satisfying summer dinner. 11 of 30 Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes Iain Bagwell This recipe gives you all the Cajun flavor you could want with minimal effort—perfect for weeknight cooking! Aromatic vegetables and seasonings do most of the work, while Andouille sausage and shredded chicken cap off the filling meal. Roast some potatoes for an extra hearty touch. 12 of 30 Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler Alison Miksch A few of our favorite things—chicken and biscuits and cobbler—are the stars of this savory dish, and it starts with swinging by the grocery store to grab a rotisserie chicken. Freeze this casserole to have comfort food on hand when you most need it. 13 of 30 Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce Greg DuPree Getting weeknight requests for Thai peanut sauce? Make a healthy version at home with this quick recipe, and drizzle it over colorful veggies and shredded rotisserie chicken. It'll be on your dinner table in just 20 minutes. 14 of 30 Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox These delicious sandwiches can be made in just 20 minutes, thanks to the convenience of a store-bought rotisserie chicken. We're serving these hearty hoagies up all summer long. 15 of 30 Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox Easy shredded chicken gets turned into chicken salad and livened up with a touch of jalapeño, lime zest, and honey for this recipe. Serve with tortillas as well, if your kids are lettuce-opposed! 16 of 30 Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel Skip the homemade chicken broth and opt for this speedy supper instead. Rotisserie chicken and packaged broth are shortcuts for time but not taste. Use egg noodles or whatever pasta you have handy. 17 of 30 Baked Ziti with Chicken Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar Shredded chicken is the saving grace in this easy, family-friendly pasta dish. Everyone will beg for leftovers the next day. 18 of 30 Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti Hector Manuel Sanchez The ease of this slow-cooker weeknight supper can't be rivaled, especially considering it bursts with flavor from chunky fire-roasted tomatoes, olives, and mushrooms. Tender shredded chicken and spaghetti complete the hearty meal. 19 of 30 Chicken Enchilada Casserole Hector Sanchez Use leftover shredded chicken or your favorite rotisserie version to create this cheesy casserole. Taco seasoning and diced green chiles add smoky spice to the creamy layers. 20 of 30 Sheet Pan Broccoli-and-Chicken Casserole Photographer Victor Protasio, Food Stylist Ruth Blackburn, Prop Stylist Christine Keely Dinner just got easier thanks to this quick casserole that’s cooked on a sheet pan to cut cooking time. You can adapt the recipe for whole grains by swapping quinoa, brown rice, or farro for the white rice. 21 of 30 Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole Greg DuPree Reach for convenient jarred alfredo sauce and refrigerated pesto to make this satisfying weeknight casserole without sacrificing flavor—or time. This shredded chicken bake will be requested again. 22 of 30 Chicken and Fontina Panini Greg DuPree Faster than takeout, this grilled chicken sandwich takes little effort. Pesto, tomatoes, and gooey cheese dress up a store-bought rotisserie chicken for a quick and filling meal. 23 of 30 Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad Antonis Achilleos; Food Styling: Ali Ramee; Prop Styling: Christine Keely Rotisserie chicken and microwavable rice make this meal a no-brainer for busy weeknights. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and a lemon vinaigrette add bright, fresh flavor. 24 of 30 Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis With its crispy fried onion topping, this chicken casserole has the familiar taste of the classic green bean casserole. Healthy swaps like brown rice make it a feel-good dinner choice. 25 of 30 Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Cindy Barr; Food Styling: Tina Bell Stamos Fresh veggies like collard greens and carrots take chicken and rice soup to another level. A touch of heavy cream adds richness. 26 of 30 Green Chile-Chicken Soup Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis In 20 minutes you can get this hearty chicken soup on the table. Green enchilada sauce and poblanos add heat, while mashed white beans thicken the broth without dairy. Busy weeknights never tasted so good. 27 of 30 Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole Victor Protasio; Food Styling: Rishon Hanners; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis Bake up a pan of this comforting pasta, laced with creamy Southern pimiento cheese flavor. The broccoli-cheese combo makes this dreamy casserole one to put on repeat. Crushed Ritz crackers take this meal over the top. 28 of 30 Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall This one-dish skillet dinner makes mealtime easy. Full of chicken, broccoli, and bacon, this pasta meal cooks in a creamy sauce and goes from stovetop to oven to table, making cleanup a breeze. 29 of 30 Chicken Tortellini Salad Antonis Achilleos; Prop Styling: Audrey Davis; Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall Perfect for a quick patio dinner, this salad packs fresh flavor in every bite with arugula, cherry tomatoes, and corn. Shredded rotisserie chicken and packaged tortellini add convenience. Top with toasted pecans for a satisfying crunch. 30 of 30 Skillet Enchiladas Suizas Victor Protasio; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox No need to roll or fill—this easy enchilada dish is made right in the skillet. Combine canned tomatoes, tomatillo salsa, and rotisserie chicken with corn tortillas to cook right on your stovetop, and serve straight from the skillet. Let guests choose their own toppings. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit