20 Easy Dinner Recipes That Start With Shredded Chicken

Whether you have leftover chicken at home or are a fan of purchasing rotisserie chickens to save time, having pre-cooked chicken on hand is a great cooking skill. The most time-consuming and stressful part of dinner (the proteins) has already been cooked and is just waiting to be added to your meal.

From Buffalo Chicken Tacos to Rotisserie Chicken Stroganoff and Easy Chicken and Dumplings, these dishes showcase the versatility and convenience of shredded chicken. So dive into this delicious collection of recipes that will make your weeknights easy, fast, and full of flavor.

01 of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Queso Spaghetti

“One of the reasons this Chicken Queso Spaghetti is a family favorite is because of how flexible it is. On particularly busy nights, I grab a pre-sliced ​​rotisserie chicken, which keeps prep to a minimum and gets dinner on the table quickly.” -Morgan Baker, Recipe Developer

02 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Taco Casserole

“This is a layered casserole, and my favorite trick is to place the crunchy corn tostadas in the bottom of the dish so that when baked, the bottoms don't stick to the dish. You can find tostadas at any grocery store in the tortilla section. Place these in the dish, slightly overlapping, and they will form a sturdy base for the casserole, which will make for very neat pieces when served.” -Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

03 out of 20

Get the recipe: Rotisserie Chicken Stroganoff

“If you're a busy person then rotisserie chicken should be in your arsenal – and who isn't? But a whole roasted chicken isn't always the main event. I much prefer using rotisserie chicken as an ingredient to make other meals – like this easy Chicken Stroganoff!” -Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

04 out of 20

Get the recipe: Buffalo Chicken Tacos

“They come together in less than 20 minutes thanks to grocery store shortcuts like rotisserie chicken and bagged coleslaw mix. Even better, you don't have to turn on the oven or stove. This is a no-sweat, family-friendly dinner that's sure to become a regular on your roster.” -Sheela Prakash, Recipe Developer

05 out of 20

Get the recipe: Golden Chicken Tortellini Soup

“There are a few ways you can make this easy recipe even easier. Many grocery stores sell chopped carrots, onions, and celery during the colder months. This aromatic veggie combo, called a mirepoix, is the base of many great soup recipes. If you can find these ingredients already chopped and packaged at your local grocery store, you can cut down on prep time.” -Cheka Ciamacheli, Recipe Developer

06 out of 20

Get the recipe: Easy Green Chicken Chili

“I used a rotisserie chicken for this quick weekend chili recipe. A small-to-medium rotisserie chicken will give you about 2 1/2 to 3 cups of shredded chicken meat, which is the perfect amount for this recipe.” -Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

07 out of 20

Get the recipe: Easy Chicken and Dumplings

“When I married into a Southern family and learned all about chicken and dumplings, I set out to find a shortcut version that we would still enjoy on cool rainy days as well as for celebrations. Luckily, I found a way to make a really good and super easy version of chicken and dumplings with just a few key ingredients and a few shortcuts.” -Meghan Splawn, Recipe Developer

08 out of 20

Get the recipe: Baked Chicken Taquitos

“Like quesadillas, taquitos are a great way to use up leftovers like chicken or vegetables. But unlike quesadillas, which require attention on the stovetop, taquitos are quite versatile once made and placed in the oven.” -Nick Evans, Recipe Developer

09 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Diwan

“I still crave the cozy predictability of a chicken divan on cold winter days. It's also a great option for busy weeknight dinners because you just load everything into a casserole dish and let the magic happen in the oven.” -Stephanie A. Ganz, Recipe Developer

10 out of 20

Get the recipe: BBQ Chicken Sheet Pan Nachos

“This is one of those recipes where the suggested measurements are merely suggestions. Feel free to add or subtract according to your family's taste buds! Start with some shredded cooked chicken and slather it in bottled barbecue sauce. My favorite is Staub's Original because it has less sugar than other varieties, but Sweet Baby Ray's is a solid second choice.” -Claudia Cash, Recipe Developer

11 out of 20

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Chicken Pasta Bake

“I like to use rigatoni in this pasta bake because the ridges hold the thick sauce well and the shredded chicken collapses inside the large round noodles when you stir, but you can use your favorite pasta shape.” -Lou Perseghin, Recipe Developer

12 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Enchilada Chili

“This recipe lends itself to variations and additions. Sometimes I'll add leftover taco beef instead of chicken. I'll also vary the spices, sprinkling in some oregano, ground coriander, chili powder, or smoked paprika. And if we have a zucchini or bell pepper in the produce drawer, it's going in there too.” -Coco Morante, Recipe Developer

13 out of 20

Get the recipe: Easy Chicken Mochi

“Using packaged cornbread mix instead of homemade biscuits is a super-quick way to “cobble” in your cobbler, providing a puffy, slightly-sweet contrast with the delicious gravy, with no measuring required.” -Afton Cyrus, Recipe Developer

14 out of 20

Get the recipe: 4-Ingredient Chicken Alfredo Pasta Bake

“Although my grandmother never considered herself a cook, she has a storehouse of recipes for just such occasions. Her favorite? The meal she claims contains 'everything you need on your plate' in one blend. This Chicken Alfredo Casserole is one of her classic recipes.” -Joy Firoben, Recipe Developer

15 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Pot Pie Soup

“Let us paint a picture of you. Snow is swirling outside your window, a fire is blazing in your fireplace, and you're snuggled on the couch in your slippers with a pot of chicken pot pie soup on the stove. We think if comfort could be bottled and sold, it would take the form of this soup, a minimal-prep version of chicken pot pie that leaves just enough time for nesting.” -Sarah Beer, former senior editor

16 out of 20

Get the recipe: Thai-Style Chicken Fried Rice

“If you're in a pinch and don't have time to cook rice the day before, cook some white rice a little less. If you have time, spread your just-cooked rice on a few layers of paper towels and put it in the refrigerator to cool and dry out.” -Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

17 out of 20

Get the recipe: Easy Mexican Chicken and Rice Soup

“A key component to making this a 'quick' dinner is having pre-cooked chicken that you can use as a base. I almost always have some leftover chicken hanging around, and if I don't, I make sure to incorporate it into my weekly meal prep.” -Sally Vargas, Recipe Developer

18 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Cobbler with Cheddar Bay Biscuit Top

“By substituting the standard cobbler topping for Cheddar Bay biscuits, chicken cobbler is transformed into a dish worthy of a special occasion. Luckily, it's easy enough to make for a casual family dinner.” -Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

19 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken and Corn Casserole

“Fermented, pickle-y cabbage is a simple concoction that adds umami depth, crisp-tender texture, and just the right touch of acidity to cut through the richness of the casserole. It's the unexpected twist that transforms a classic casserole into something much more interesting.” -Anne Wolf, Recipe Developer

20 out of 20

Get the recipe: Chicken Piccata Noodle Casserole

“And while you can serve chicken piccata with pasta, this recipe combines both in a clever pasta bake that enhances the intense flavor of capers and their brine, garlic and white wine with a creamy canned soup.” -Megan Scott, former senior editor

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