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  4. 20 Easy Dinner Recipes Using Shredded Chicken That'll Make Weeknights Less Stressful

20 Easy Dinner Recipes Using Shredded Chicken That'll Make Weeknights Less Stressful

Kaitlyn Yarborough, Assistant Editor and Writer for Southern Living
By Kaitlyn Yarborough Updated July 07, 2022
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Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

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 getting dinner on the table 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. (Though, we've made sure to include slow-cooker recipes you can throw together and forget about on busy weeknights spent running between piano and soccer.)

From Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits to Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps, there are so many ways to make use of shredded chicken. Grab that Costco rotisserie chicken, and plan out your no-fuss menu starring these recipes using shredded chicken.

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Chicken Bog

Chicken Bog
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Bog

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.

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Buffalo Chicken Casserole

Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Credit: Caitlin Bensel, Food Styling: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Styling: Audrey Davis

Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Casserole

What can we say: we'll turn just about anything into a casserole, including Buffalo Chicken.

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Chicken Caprese Pasta

Chicken Caprese Pasta
Credit: Linda Pugliese; Prop Styling: Kay E. Clarke; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chicken Caprese Pasta

We can't get enough of this easy summer supper. Using all things fresh—fresh cherry tomatoes, fresh herb pesto, and fresh mozzerella cheese—this dish features tender linguine and no-fuss shredded chicken.

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Chicken Chili

Chicken Chili
Credit: Hector Sanchez

Recipe: Chicken Chili

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.

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White Lightning Chicken Chili

White Lightning Chicken Chili
Credit: Becky Luigart Stayner

Recipe: White Lightning Chicken Chili

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.

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Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits
Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Buffy Hargett

Recipe: Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

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 just in your 13x9 baking dish.

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Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Southwest Chicken Tortillas
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Southwest Chicken Tortillas

Using microwaveable basmati rice, pre-shredded Mexican cheese, and rotisserie chicken makes these chicken tortillas come together quicker than greased lightning.

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Chicken Stir-Fry

Chicken Stir-Fry
Credit: Greg Dupree

Recipe: Chicken Stir-Fry

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?

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Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

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.

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Farmers' Market Pasta Salad

Farmers' Market Pasta Salad
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Farmers' Market Pasta Salad

We love any recipe that lets you use all of your farmers' market finds at one fell swoop. Pasta, vinaigrette, and shredded smoked chicken (from your local barbecue joint) makes for a fresh, satisfying summer dinner.

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Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

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.

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Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
Credit: Alison Miksch

Recipe: Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

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.

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Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew
Credit: Iain Bagwell

Recipe: Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew

Made with chicken and brisket, this smoky stew is hearty and comforting—perfect for filling up your family on a hectic weeknight. (It's freezer-friendly too!) Want to use rotisserie chicken? Throw it in along with the brisket, after most of the cooking is done.

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Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
Credit: Greg DuPree

Recipe: Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

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.

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Couscous Pilaf with Roasted Carrots, Chicken, and Feta

Couscous Pilaf with Roasted Carrots, Chicken, and Feta
Credit: Greg DuPree; Prop Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Couscous Pilaf with Roasted Carrots, Chicken, and Feta

Got a rotisserie chicken you haven't used up yet? This recipe has you covered. We love one-bowl meals when we want a quick and easy dinner, and this lemon-brown butter sauce is simply divine.

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Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches

Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches
Credit: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches

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.

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Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps
Credit: Photo: Jennifer Causey; Prop Styling: Christine Keely; Food Styling: Torie Cox

Recipe: Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Easy shredded chicken gets turned into chicken salad, 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!

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Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
Credit: Photography and Styling: Caitlin Bensel

Recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

Skip the homemade chicken broth and opt for this speedy supper instead.

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Baked Ziti with Chicken

Baked Ziti with Chicken
Credit: Photographer: Will Dickey Prop Stylist: Missie Crawford Food Stylist: Erin Merhar

Recipe: Baked Ziti with Chicken

Shredded chicken is the saving grace in this easy, family-friendly pasta dish.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti
Credit: Hector Manuel Sanchez

Recipe: Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

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.

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By Kaitlyn Yarborough

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 20 Chicken Bog
    2 of 20 Buffalo Chicken Casserole
    3 of 20 Chicken Caprese Pasta
    4 of 20 Chicken Chili
    5 of 20 White Lightning Chicken Chili
    6 of 20 Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits
    7 of 20 Southwest Chicken Tortillas
    8 of 20 Chicken Stir-Fry
    9 of 20 Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings
    10 of 20 Farmers' Market Pasta Salad
    11 of 20 Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes
    12 of 20 Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler
    13 of 20 Chicken-and-Brisket Brunswick Stew
    14 of 20 Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce
    15 of 20 Couscous Pilaf with Roasted Carrots, Chicken, and Feta
    16 of 20 Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches
    17 of 20 Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps
    18 of 20 Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup
    19 of 20 Baked Ziti with Chicken
    20 of 20 Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

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    20 Easy Dinner Recipes Using Shredded Chicken That'll Make Weeknights Less Stressful
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