35 Quick and Easy Shredded Chicken Recipes

Who doesn’t love a good rotisserie chicken? It’s a grocery store staple, but after that meal, you might be wondering what to do with the rest of your leftovers. We’re sharing our favorite shredded chicken recipes to help you get through your leftovers without getting stuck eating the same meal all week long. Below, you’ll find over 30 lunch, soup, appetizer and entree recipes, so there’s something for everyone.

Table of contents

• Lunch
• Soup
• Appetizers
• Entrees

1. Chicken tacos

Category: Lunch

Everyone loves tacos — and they’re endlessly customizable, so you can please even the pickiest eaters in your household. Our favorite chicken taco recipe comes together using shredded chicken breast with taco seasoning, cheese, lime and diced veggies.

You can also incorporate favorites like salsa, guacamole or sour cream to suit your taste. Chicken tacos are great for lunch or dinner; just store your toppings in separate containers and build them when you’re ready to enjoy.

2. Chicken tikka masala

Category: Lunch

Chicken tikka masala is a takeout favorite that’s surprisingly easy to make at home for a delicious lunch any day of the week. This flavorful dish is healthy and comforting — you’ll never get tired of the ginger and turmeric flavors. 

This dish tastes even better the next day, so it’s perfect to meal prep and heat up for lunch the next day. Serve with a healthy serving of basmati rice for a fully authentic meal.

3. Loaded chicken gyros

Category: Lunch

Take a trip to the Mediterranean and try these chicken gyros for an ultra-filling lunch stuffed with tangy tzatziki, refreshing veggies and feta. Of course, don’t forget the shredded chicken seasoned with oregano and cumin for a filling and delicious lunch.

4. Chicken Caesar salad

Category: Lunch

The Caesar salad is a classic, oftentimes the top choice for picky eaters to get their veggies in. Level up a classic Caesar salad with some shredded chicken to make it more filling and nutritious. Store the dressing separately for an easy lunch to get you through your workday.

5. Shredded chicken pasta salad

Category: Lunch

Pasta salad is a great meal to make ahead for lunch because it doesn’t need to be heated up and will stay fresh in your fridge for a few days. Add protein to your salad with shredded chicken for long-lasting energy that will keep you full all day. This salad packs a crunch with peppers, cucumbers and an herb dressing to blend all the flavors.

6. Chicken salad sandwiches

Category: Lunch

Chicken salad sandwiches are an easy lunch that can help power your day. You can prep a big batch of chicken salad ahead of time and then assemble your sandwich before heading off to work for a fresh lunch that tastes great. Add other toppings, such as lettuce or shredded carrots, for some extra crunch. It goes great with a side salad, bean salad or bag of chips for a filling lunch.

7. Caribbean-spiced shredded chicken

Category: Lunch

Caribbean-spiced shredded chicken is zesty, warm and a little spicy. It’s excellent in salads, quesadillas or on its own. Spices like paprika, cayenne pepper, allspice and a touch of vinegar create the perfect balance. Use it to inject some flavor in other dishes, or serve it with rice, steamed veggies or plantains for a dinner with some island flair.

8. Pulled chicken

Category: Lunch

Put a twist on your favorite pulled pork recipe and try pulled chicken instead. This dish is slow-cooked for complex flavor, but you can use pre-cooked shredded chicken in a pinch and cook it for less time. Try serving it on sliders, nachos or quesadillas for extra flavor and protein.

9. Shredded chicken burritos

Category: Lunch

Burritos are a delicious lunch to enjoy on the go. Buying premade mix-ins like salsa, shredded cheese and canned beans means you can just heat up your fillings and roll your shredded chicken burrito before enjoying it. Add avocado or fajita veggies to make it extra filling.

10. Chicken chili

Category: Soup

As the weather cools, there’s nothing like a bowl of chili to warm you up. This chicken chili is packed full of veggies, beans and chicken for a healthy and filling meal. To make this dish extra filling, round it out with some rice or top with tortilla chips.

11. Chicken tortilla soup

Category: Soup

This chicken tortilla soup is spiced with warming cumin, making it an easy dinner to enjoy on the couch with your favorite comfort show on (just watch out for spillage!). Pair this soup with nachos or quesadillas for a satisfying meal that will have the whole family asking for seconds.

12. Ramen bowls

Category: Soup

Chicken soup is a go-to meal when you’re sick, but what if you’re looking for something a little different? Whether you’re dealing with a cold or not, chicken ramen is a delicious alternative to try. This classic Japanese dish is comforting and full of soothing flavors like ginger, lightly seasoned with miso and soy for a warm pick-me-up.

13. Shredded chicken pho

Category: Soup

If your wallet’s hurting from repeat visits to your favorite Vietnamese soup stop, it’s time to try making pho at home. Shredded chicken pho is a simple soup made with warming spices like cloves and coriander, filled with shredded chicken and rice noodles for a warm and filling bowl to enjoy once temperatures start to drop.

14. Chicken gumbo

Category: Soup

If you love Southern comfort food, there’s nothing better than a hot bowl of authentic gumbo. Although this meal is traditionally made with seafood, switch it up and add shredded chicken, which still pairs beautifully with the Cajun flavors in this dish.

15. Chicken noodle soup

Category: Soup

Chicken noodle soup is the ultimate way to warm up this fall and winter. You can make it ahead to freeze until you need it most, but this soup comes together in less than an hour with only 15 minutes of active cooking time, so you can make it fresh even if you’re not feeling your best. Serve with warm crusty bread for the best soup to fill you up.

16. Barbecue chicken sliders

Category: Appetizers

The next time you need to feed a crowd in a snap, try these barbecue chicken sliders. They’re full of smoky flavor and perfect to whip up when you’re entertaining to keep your guests satisfied. 

Whether you make them for a board game night or to watch Friday night football, these barbecue sliders are super easy to make, so you spend more time with family and friends and less time in the kitchen.

17. Chicken curry puffs

Category: Appetizers

Looking for something a little different to try at your next gathering? Chicken curry puffs are pockets of flavor you can make beforehand and bring to your next gathering. Make a simple chicken curry a day ahead of time, then wrap spoonfuls in frozen puff pastry for a simple and delicious appetizer to share.

18. Chicken sausage calzone

Category: Appetizers

When you’re craving something that’s not quite pizza, you might turn to a similar dish like a stromboli or calzone. These options are great because you can endlessly customize the base with any fillings you’d like. Shredded chicken and spicy sausage go nicely in a classic calzone recipe, whether you’re sharing it as an appetizer or making it the entree.

19. Buffalo chicken dip

Category: Appetizers

No matter the occasion, this buffalo chicken dip is sure to be a hit. It’s creamy, cheesy and a little spicy, pairing perfectly with tortilla chips, pita or your favorite veggie tray. Be careful, though — make this dip once, and your guests will request it every time they come over!

20. Chicken lettuce wraps

Category: Appetizers

These chicken lettuce wraps are for anyone looking for a new low-carb recipe to add to your rotation. These spicy and herby chicken wraps are a refreshing way to whet your appetite before dinner.

21. Shredded chicken stuffed peppers

Category: Appetizers

When you want to feel a little fancy without spending hours in the kitchen, stuffed peppers are the way to go — just sub the ground beef for shredded chicken. It’s a tasty appetizer to share with friends, or serve with a side of rice pilaf for a restaurant-quality meal. 

22. Cheesy chicken quesadillas

Category: Appetizers

Quesadillas are a winning appetizer to feed a crowd — they take just a few minutes with simple ingredients and are easy to cut and share. Shredded chicken quesadillas are sure to please a crowd, especially when served with guacamole, salsa and sour cream for dipping.

23. Barbecue chicken pizza

Category: Entrees

Who needs takeout when you can make your favorite slice at home? Take our Margherita pizza recipe and top with shredded barbecue grilled chicken for a protein-packed take on pizza night.

24. Chicken stir-fry

Category: Entrees

A chicken stir- fry is an excellent meal to cook when you want to use up the rest of your produce because it’s easy to swap out veggies for whatever you have. Serve it with rice for a filling and tasty meal.   

25. Shredded chicken noodle bowls

Category: Entrees

Egg noodles with shredded chicken is one of the most comforting and easy meals you can throw together in just a few minutes. This is a one-pot meal, which maximizes flavor and keeps cleanup easy, making this an ideal meal for when you’re under the weather.

26. Chicken cacciatore

Category: Entrees

The next time you have the urge to order from your favorite Italian spot, consider making shredded chicken cacciatore at home instead. This meal is traditionally made with chicken thighs, but shredded chicken helps it come together when you’re short on time but still want that same flavor. Just add your shredded chicken to the brothy tomato base. 

27. Chicken and broccoli casserole

Category: Entrees

Casseroles are easy to cook when you’re feeding a crowd but don’t have much time to prepare. Our cheesy chicken casserole is ideal for bringing to your next potluck or dinner party. Serve it with a side salad or roasted veggies for extra fiber.

28. Chicken alfredo pasta

Category: Entrees

Chicken alfredo is a delicious creamy and cheesy pasta dish to make when you have shredded chicken on hand. This pasta is served with a creamy Parmesan-based sauce and goes great with Caesar salad for a special occasion dinner.

29. Chicken tetrazzini

Category: Entrees

Another pasta dish to try when you have some shredded chicken on handis chicken tetrazzini. This dish is cooked in a baking dish like a casserole, featuring a creamy mushroom base. Balance it out with a refreshing lemon arugula salad for a complete and nutritious meal.

30. Chicken teriyaki

Category: Entrees

Everyone loves takeout, but it’s not the best for your budget to order dinner all the time. Chicken teriyaki is an ideal mix of sweet and salty, so it’s no surprise it’s such a popular dish. The sauce is surprisingly simple to put together, with just soy sauce, honey, brown sugar, ginger and garlic. Try it with rice and steamed vegetables. 

31. Chicken and dumplings

Category: Entrees

If you want your guests or family to think you spent hours on dinner, then chicken and dumplings are an impressive meal with only 30 minutes of active cooking time. This dish may taste like it took forever to cook, but it’s deceptively simple. You’ll cook your chicken and dumplings all in one broth pot, making cleanup a breeze, so you’re not stuck cleaning up the kitchen when you should be enjoying dessert. 

32. Chicken fajitas

Category: Entrees

Chicken fajitas are a great dinner for families with picky eaters because everyone can choose how they’d like to build their plate. You can buy fajita seasoning or make your own with spices like cumin, garlic powder and more that you might already have on hand. Serve with a variety of sides and toppings like lettuce, rice, beans and vegetables, depending on your family’s tastes.

33. Enchiladas

Category: Entrees

For a protein-packed dinner, try shredded chicken enchiladas to bring some of the flavors from your favorite Mexican restaurant home. Using premade enchilada sauce, this dish comes together easily but tastes like you’ve been working on it for hours. Serve your enchiladas with a side of beans and cilantro lime rice to complement this warm and comforting dish.

34. Adobo shredded chicken

Category: Entrees

Chicken adobo is another easy slow cooker chicken recipe you can make from scratch or use pre-cooked chicken in. This dish is slow-cooked in a slightly sweet and savory sauce seasoned with soy sauce, bay leaves and a touch of brown sugar. Serve with rice and a crunchy slaw for the perfect dinner bowl.

35. Chicken biryani

Category: Entrees

Another takeout staple that’s easy to make at home is chicken biryani. The great thing about biryani is that it’s all cooked in one pot, and using shredded chicken makes it even easier to prepare. Serve with other Indian favorites such as curries, baked vegetable samosas or naan.

Shredded chicken thoughts to chop up

The next time you’ve got some shredded chicken leftover and need inspiration to get your weeknight dinner or meal prep started, these recipes should give you some ideas for meals you’ll crave again. Search on Instacart for everything you need and order your weekly groceries to get them delivered the same day.