Discover nutritious and delicious healthy shredded chicken recipes perfect for easy meals. Quick to make, these dishes are guaranteed to satisfy!
Shredded chicken is one of the most versatile ingredients to use in a variety of recipes. Whether you cook and shred chicken yourself or use a store-bought rotisserie chicken, it’s a great healthy protein to always have on hand. (Leftover chicken for the win!)
Cooking meat is often the most time-consuming part of a meal, but when you have shredded chicken ready to go, it can cut your prep time in half. (Making it a convenient weeknight dinner!) It’s a snap to add to your favorite dishes, whether you’re craving chicken noodle soup, chicken enchiladas, or a chicken casserole.
If you’re looking for a quick and healthy meal that satisfies your cravings, try any of these shredded chicken recipes. I promise, you’ll want to make them time and time again!
Healthy White Chicken Chili
I love a rich and creamy bowl of white chicken chili! That’s why I created this easy and healthier version that skips the cream cheese.
Chicken, jalapeno, green chiles, cauliflower, and white beans are the stars of this deliciously creamy chicken chili.
Healthy Chipotle Chicken Burrito Bowl
Skip the long lines at Chipotle and make this healthy chipotle chicken bowl recipe at home! With minimal cooking time, it only takes about 30 minutes to make.
It’s low-calorie comfort food you can customize with all of your favorite toppings, like diced tomatoes, jalapeno slices, Monterey jack cheese, and more.
Low-Calorie Southwestern Chicken Soup
Packed with flavor, this lower-caloriesouthwestern chicken soup recipehas been afamily favoritein my house for two decades!
With less than 10 ingredients, including a blend of spices and tasty veggies, this simple and gluten-free soup is sure to become a staple in your house, too. Top with shredded cheese, crispy tortilla strips or chips, and jalapeno for a kick.
Wild Rice Salad with Chicken
Change up your salad routine with this healthy wild rice salad with chicken, pecans, and cranberries! It’s tossed in a tangy dressing made with Dijon mustard, rice vinegar, and lemon to brighten things up.
Golden Turmeric Chicken Soup
There’s nothing more comforting than warming up with a steaming bowl of nutritious soup like this golden turmeric chickpea chicken soup.
It is packed with flavor as well as flu-fighting antioxidants thanks to the turmeric and ginger, so bring on cold and flu season!
Quick and Easy Chicken, Bean and Rice Burrito with Avocado Lime Spread
This burrito recipe is the very definition of quick and easy thanks to a few simple shortcuts. I use leftover shredded chicken, along with Trader Joe’s frozen pre-cooked brown rice packets that pop in the microwave.
Simply mix everything together in a bowl, stuff it into tortillas, roll, and grill!
One of everyone’s favorite Mexican foods — the chicken quesadilla!
This recipe adds black beans and your choice of acorn squash or sweet potatoes. Plus, we’re swapping out the traditional white flour tortilla with a whole wheat tortilla for added fiber. Perfect for an appetizer at a party, or lunch at home.
Copycat Trader Joe’s Curry Chicken Salad
If you’ve ever had Trader Joe’s curry chicken salad, you know its cool and creamy goodness makes it a fan favorite. And now we’ve made the perfect copycat recipe that you can make yourself!
This chicken salad has fewer calories because we swap the mayo for yogurt. You also have the control to make it even lighter—choose celery instead of carrots, cilantro instead of green onion, or whatever you prefer!
Curry Chicken Lettuce Wraps
These easy chicken lettuce wraps are filled with a delicious and creamy curry chicken salad. The cashews add a nice, sweet crunch that offsets the stronger, spicier flavors of the curry powder!
Not to mention, lettuce makes a wonderful and low-carb substitution for white or even whole wheat wraps or bread. Skipping the bread in these wraps saves at least 100 calories!
Benefits of Eating Shredded Chicken
Shredded chicken is a great source of lean protein, which is essential for building and repairing muscle tissue in the body. (Not to mention, it keeps you feeling full for longer.) Shredded chicken is also low in saturated fat, making it a heart-healthy option that can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Another great benefit? Its versatility!
You can use shredded chicken in a wide range of cuisines, from Asian to Mexican, and a variety of dishes, including chicken tacos, BBQ chicken, chicken salad, nachos, buffalo chicken, alfredo, lettuce wraps, and even pizza!
Whether it’s a crockpot, instant pot, or stovetop recipe, shredded chicken’s mild flavor makes it a perfect candidate for incorporating different sauces and spices (especially chicken-friendly options like paprika and garlic powder) to create unique flavor combinations.
How To Meal Prep for Shredded Chicken Recipes
Before you dive into making of these amazing recipes, I wanted to share a super easy way to make shredded chicken at home if you prefer to do it yourself:
- Place some boneless skinless chicken breasts or chicken thighs in a pot and season with salt and pepper. You can also add other herbs and spices depending on what recipes you’ll use the chicken in.
- Cover with water (or chicken broth, if preferred) about an inch higher than the chicken.
- Bring to a low simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Ensure the chicken is fully cooked by using a meat thermometer. Chicken is cooked at 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the cooked chicken from the water and shred it by using two forks to pull it apart. Better yet, try this new chicken shredding tool I found! (It’s a game changer.)
Chicken Shredder Machine, Shredding Tool, Meat Shredder with Handles
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Now that you know how to make homemade shredded chicken, you can include it in any of the recipes above!
By choosing shredded chicken for your meals, you get to make a healthier choice without sacrificing taste! So, give these recipes a try and enjoy satisfying and flavorful meals that are good for your body—and your taste buds.
