Skip to Content

24 Unfussy Shredded Chicken Recipes for Busy Weeknights

There's a lot you can do with some leftover rotisserie.

Headshot of Christopher MichelBy Christopher Michel
beer braised chickenpinterest icon
Buff Strickland

Few ingredients are more versatile than shredded chicken. Tender, mild, and protein-packed, chicken is famous for being able to go with (or in) almost anything, from pizza to soups, from nachos to salads. And shredded chicken is, if anything, even easier to use! It's the perfect starting point for a quick and easy weeknight dinner.

Whether you're cooking and shredding it yourself, buying the pre-cooked and shredded stuff, or simply using up leftovers from last night's rotisserie or homemade roast chicken feast, you can count on shredded chicken as the one leftover you won't ever be tossing out.

Ready for some inspiration? Here are two dozen of our favorite ways with shredded chicken. They're good enough you may wish you had extra leftovers on hand!

1

Beer-Braised Chicken

beer braised chicken
Buff Strickland

Simple and delicious, you can use this slow-cooked pulled chicken in tacos, enchiladas, or in any of the following recipes.

Get the recipe for Beer-Braised Chicken.

2

Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

chicken and black bean nachos
Brian Woodcock

This weeknight nachos dinner has it all: It's tasty, easy, healthy, and it even cleans up easily!

Get the recipe for Chicken and Black Bean Nachos.

3

Creamy Chicken Soup with Potatoes and Bacon

creamy chicken soup with potatoes and bacon
Brian Woodcock

An update on corn chowder, but with some added protein, this tasty soup is long on flavor, short on work.

Get the recipe for Creamy Chicken Soup with Potatoes and Bacon.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
4

Slow-Cooker Chicken-Tortilla Soup

slow cooker chicken tortilla soup
Brian Woodcock

Add a little kick to weeknight dinner. You can slow-cook chicken thighs, or make it a little faster by just using rotisserie chicken.

Get the recipe for Slow-Cooker Chicken-Tortilla Soup.

5

Easy Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings

easy weeknight chicken and dumplings
Ian Palmer

We took this all-day Southern classic and turned it into a weeknight friendly meal!

Get the recipe for Easy Weeknight Chicken and Dumplings.

6

Stovetop Chicken Pot Pie

stovetop chicken pot pie
Brian Woodcock

Don't want to bake? We don't blame you. Here's a 20-minute one-pan pot pie for you.

Get the recipe for Stovetop Chicken Pot Pie.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7

Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe

chicken and arugula cacio e pepe
BRIAN WOODCOCK

A little heartier (an healthier) than a traditional pepper-pasta, this recipe is great with a glass of wine.

Get the recipe for Chicken and Arugula Cacio e Pepe.

8

Chicken Quesadilla

chicken quesadilla
Ian Palmer

Most quesadillas either end up tasting dry, or the ingredients fall out when you try to eat them. We did a little thinking and found a smart solution: a quick sauce that you cook everything in, first.

Get the recipe for Chicken Quesadilla.

9

Summer Vegetable, Chicken, and Gnocchi Soup

summer vegetable, chicken, and gnocchi soup
Brian Woodcock

You don't need it to be summer to enjoy this simple, 20 minute weeknight soup!

Get the recipe for Summer Vegetable, Chicken, and Gnocchi Soup.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
10

Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas

weeknight tex mex chicken enchiladas
Ian Palmer

Skipped the bottled sauce and make your own—just keep a can of chipotles in adobo in your pantry, and you should be able to make this any time you've got some leftover rotisserie chicken to use up!

Get the recipe for Weeknight Tex-Mex Chicken Enchiladas.

11

Updated Classic Chicken Salad

updated classic chicken salad
Brian Woodcock

Though it's a little lighter and crunchier, this classic is every bit as tasty and easy to make!

Get the recipe for Updated Classic Chicken Salad.

12

Thai-Style Chicken Salad

thaistyle chicken salad
Brian Woodcock

Peanuts, apple, and honey make this anything-but-basic chicken salad perfect for switching things up. You can cook and shred your own chicken, but rotisserie makes it easier.

Get the recipe for Thai-Style Chicken Salad.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
13

Pesto Chicken Salad

pesto chicken salad
Brian Woodcock

If you're a fan of pesto on pasta, you won't believe how good (or simple) this salad can be!

Get the recipe for Pesto Chicken Salad.

14

Mediterranean Chicken Salad

mediterranean chicken salad
Brian Woodcock

Pile this flavorful chicken salad in a fresh baguette and you've got lunch ready to go!

Get the recipe for Mediterranean Chicken Salad.

15

Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo

easiestever chicken alfredo
Ian Palmer

Last night's leftover chicken easy becomes tonight's elegant dinner.

Get the recipe for Easiest-Ever Chicken Alfredo.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
16

Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie

salsa verde enchilada pie
Brian Woodcock

Make this simple Tex-Mex casserole once and the kids'll be asking when you're going to make it again.

Get the recipe for Salsa Verde Enchilada Pie.

17

BBQ Chicken Grits Pizza

bbq chicken grits pizza
Brian Woodcock

Who knew baked grits could work as a pizza dough? This pizza is great when you need to cut out gluten.

Get the recipe for BBQ Chicken Grits Pizza.

18

Classic Chicken Pot Pie

classic chicken pot pie
Becky Luigart-Stayner

You can shred your own chicken, or save a little time and use some leftover roast chicken in this classic bake.

Get the recipe for Classic Chicken Pot Pie.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
19

Chicken Pozole Verde

chicken pozole verde with cilantro chimichurri
Becky Luigart-Stayner

With shredded chicken and white-corn hominy floating in a stock flavored with poblano and jalapeño peppers, and plenty of cilantro, it's a delicious, hearty stew.

Get the recipe for Chicken Pozole Verde.

20

Chicken and Rice with Mint Pesto

chicken and rice with mint pesto
Ellen Silverman

Peas, scallions, and a lemony mint pesto give basic white rice and shredded chicken an infusion of fresh flavor.

Get the recipe for Chicken and Rice with Mint Pesto.

Watch Next
 
preview for Country Living US Section - Food & Drinks

Dinner Recipes

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
Logo
twitter icon
youtube icon
facebook icon
instagram icon
pinterest icon
Hearst Lifestyle and Design Group - A Part of Hearst Digital Media

A Part of Hearst Digital Media

We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back.

©2023 Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy NoticeCA Notice at CollectionYour CA Privacy Rights/Shine the LightDAA Industry Opt OutTerms of UseSite Map
Cookies Choices