It’s the new year and with that a new desire for many to meal plan but often planning meals for a whole week can feel overwhelming. One way I combat that is to cook up a lot of chicken breasts at the beginning of the week, shred it and make a bunch of meals with it during the week. So, I am sharing my favorite 12 easy shredded chicken meal ideas.
How to Make Shredded Chicken
Well, let’s chat first about my favorite way to cook and shred chicken.
I place a family sized pack of fresh chicken breasts in the crockpot with a cup of water and cook on low for 8-10 hours. If you are in a hurry, cook on high for 4 hours.
You will know the chicken is cooked through when it pulls easily apart with a fork. You can pull out and shred with a fork. When, I have a lot of chicken to shred, I place it in my stand mixer bowl and beat with the beaters. The chicken shreds easily.
Then, you can divide the chicken for desired meals and store in the fridge or freezer.
Now, let’s chat about good meals to make with shredded chicken.
12 Easy Shredded Chicken Meal Ideas
Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken pot pie is the quintessential comfort food in my opinion and perfect for a cozy meal at home. This recipe has just 4 basic ingredients which makes it perfect for an easy meal. Get the full recipe here.
Chicken Enchilada Bake
If your family loves Mexican food but you are looking for a meal you can make ahead and throw in the oven later, this is your meal. It’s easy to whip together and is so yummy for leftovers. Get the full recipe here.
Shredded Chicken Fried Rice
Grab some frozen fried rice. Our favorite is Trader Joe’s vegetable fried rice and add 1-2 cups shredded chicken. You can also make your own fried rice. Check out this simple fried rice recipe. Pair it with some frozen egg rolls and you have yourself a simple Asian-inspired meal.
BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Just mix some of your favorite bbq sauce in with some shredded chicken and heat up on the stove top. My family loves shredded bbq chicken as sliders. We use the Hawaiian dinner rolls as slider buns. Serve with fresh vegetables, fruit and some chips and you have yourself an easy meal.
Shredded Chicken Noodle Soup
There’s nothing as classic as chicken noodle soup. This is my favorite easy chicken noodle soup recipe. Pair it with some rolls and crackers for a delicious and easy meal.
Shredded Chicken Tacos
Tacos are always a hit at our house but sometimes it’s fun to mix it up a little bit and swap out the ground beef for chicken. Mix together 1 lb. of shredded chicken (4 chicken breasts) with taco seasoning. Cook in a skillet as the taco seasoning packet suggests.
I like to use the street taco shells. Once again, they are mini so the kids love them. I also mix up a southwestern or avocado ranch salad kit from the store to garnish along with sour cream, cheese, salsa and guacamole.
Shredded Chicken Caesar Salads
One of my favorite, insanely easy meals is to grab a bagged Caesar salad kit and toss it with shredded chicken. It’s perfect for a quick lunch or serve it with some garlic bread and fruit for a quick dinner.
Shredded Chicken Salad Sandwiches
Sandwiches aren’t just for lunch. They make a perfect dinner as well. Plus, make extra and you can have leftovers for lunch all week. I love subbing the usual grapes for apples. Check out this apple chicken salad recipe here.
Shredded Chicken Wild Rice Soup
Soup is one of my favorite meals to make early in the week so I can enjoy it for leftovers all week long. This creamy chicken wild rice soup is my go to. It’s the easiest recipe I have found and so delicious.
Shredded Chicken Pesto Baked Sandwiches
I usually use turkey for this delicious baked sandwich but you can easily swap out the turkey for some shredded chicken for a delicious baked sandwich. I love serving this sandwich to guests along with a salad. So simple but so yummy! Get the full recipe here.
Easy Skillet Chicken Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches
This recipe calls for turkey lunch meat but you can easily swap out shredded chicken for the turkey for a yummy cheesesteak sandwich with a twist. Serve it open faced with melted cheese on top. You’ll think you are in Philly! Get the full recipe here.
Need More Chicken Recipe Ideas?
Slow Cooker Chicken Tortilla Soup
One Pan Italian Chicken, Potatoes and Green Beans
Chicken Cordon Bleu Bake
Need More Meal Ideas?
Make Meal Time More Simple on Purpose
Jot down all your meals in this 52 week meal planner and then create your grocery list on the same page. When you are done, rip out your grocery list and head to the store assured you have everything on the list. Grab your meal planner today.
Until next time keep on keeping on with a simple purposeful life!
