30 Shredded Chicken Recipes For Easy Weeknight Dinners

Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta
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.

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Chicken Bog

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.

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Buffalo Chicken Casserole

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.

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Chicken Caprese Pasta

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.

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Chicken Chili

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.

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White Lightning Chicken Chili

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.

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Chicken Pot Pie with Bacon-and-Cheddar Biscuits

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.

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Southwest Chicken Tortillas

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.

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Chicken Stir-Fry

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?

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Chicken and Cornbread Dumplings

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.

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Farmers' Market Pasta Salad

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.

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Chicken-Andouille Gumbo with Roasted Potatoes

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.

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Chicken-and-Biscuit Cobbler

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.

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Chicken Noodle Bowl with Peanut-Ginger Sauce

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.

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Chicken Caesar Salad Sandwiches

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.

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Tropical Chicken Lettuce Wraps

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!

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Rotisserie Chicken Noodle Soup

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.

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Baked Ziti with Chicken

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.

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Slow-Cooker Chicken Cacciatore with Spaghetti

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.

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Chicken Enchilada Casserole

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.

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Sheet Pan Broccoli-and-Chicken Casserole

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.

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Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole

Simple Suppers Challenge: 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.

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Chicken and Fontina Panini

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.

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Herbed Chicken-and-Rice Salad

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.

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Crispy Onions and Parmesan Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

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.

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Creamy Chicken and Rice Soup

Creamy Chicken-and-Rice Soup with Collard Greens
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.

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Green Chile-Chicken Soup

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.

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Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

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.

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Chicken-and-Broccoli Skillet Pasta

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.

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Chicken Tortellini Salad

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.

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Skillet Enchiladas Suizas

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.

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