19 Shredded Chicken Recipes for Easy Meals

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Shredded chicken recipes make it easy to turn one simple ingredient into several different meals. Here, you’ll find ways to make juicy shredded chicken from scratch, plus easy ideas for using it in tacos, nachos, casseroles, wraps, chicken salad, and more.

a pot of shredded chicken with 4 images of recipes using shredded chicken

Start with Instant Pot Shredded Chicken or Dutch Oven Shredded Chicken when you want simply seasoned chicken that can work in several different meals. Or, make Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken when you already know tacos, quesadillas, or nachos are on the menu.

How to Make Shredded Chicken for Different Meals

If you’re cooking chicken to use in several different recipes, start with a simply seasoned version. Choose Mexican, BBQ, or buffalo chicken when you already know what you’re making, since those flavors will carry into whatever you use the chicken for next.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken

A quick, simply seasoned option when you want shredded chicken that can work in several different meals. Use it for meal prep, tacos, chicken salad, casseroles, wraps, and more.

Dutch Oven Shredded Chicken

Choose this for simply seasoned shredded chicken when you prefer an oven method over the pressure cooker. Since the flavor stays neutral, you can decide how to use it after it cooks.

Slow Cooker Mexican Shredded Chicken

Best when tacos, nachos, or quesadillas are already the plan because the Mexican flavor cooks into the chicken from the start.

Instant Pot BBQ Chicken

The faster choice when you want pulled BBQ chicken for dinner, sandwiches, nachos, or wraps without waiting on the slow cooker.

Crockpot BBQ Chicken

The hands-off option when you have time to let the chicken cook slowly and want BBQ chicken ready later for dinner or leftovers.

Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken

Start here when you know the chicken is headed into buffalo tacos, wraps, salads, bowls, or another buffalo-style meal.

Crockpot shredded chicken with bold taco seasoning and lime flavor

Recipes to Make with Shredded Chicken

Already have cooked chicken in the refrigerator? The amount you have and the type of meal you want can help narrow down what to make next. Smaller amounts work well in quesadillas and wraps, while a few cups can become casseroles, pot pie, or a batch of chicken salad.

Tacos, Nachos & Quesadillas

These are some of the easiest ways to turn shredded chicken into a quick lunch, casual dinner, or shareable meal.

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Turn leftover chicken into crispy skillet tacos for an easy weeknight dinner. Mexican shredded chicken is a works well, but simply seasoned or rotisserie chicken works too. You can always sprinkle a little Chicken Taco Seasoning on the meat for more flavor.

Baked Chicken Tacos

Bake a whole batch at once when you need an easy family dinner instead of cooking tacos one by one.

Shredded Chicken Quesadilla

A quick way to turn a smaller amount of leftover shredded chicken into lunch or dinner.

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Shredded Chicken Nachos

Use these when you want something easy to share for dinner, game day, or an appetizer.

Mexican Chicken Casserole

Turn several cups of cooked chicken into a hearty baked dinner when you want something more substantial than tacos or nachos.

BBQ & Buffalo Shredded Chicken Recipes

These are easy options to make next when you already have BBQ or buffalo chicken cooked and want to use the leftovers in a different way. Sometimes, I also take plain shredded chicken and toss it in buffalo or bbq sauce.

BBQ Chicken Nachos

A cheesy, shareable way to use leftover BBQ chicken for dinner, parties, or game day.

Buffalo Chicken Tacos

Turn leftover buffalo chicken into taco night with your favorite toppings and an easy build-your-own setup.

Buffalo Chicken Wrap

A quick lunch or light dinner when you only need to use a smaller amount of buffalo chicken.

Chicken salad croissant sandwich with crunchy celery, grapes, and almonds

Chicken Salad Recipes

Chicken salad is a good choice when you want a cold, make-ahead meal. Simply seasoned shredded chicken works best here because you can take the flavor in completely different directions.

Chicken Salad with Grapes

Choose this when you want a classic sweet-and-savory chicken salad for sandwiches, lettuce wraps, or crackers.

Jalapeño Popper Chicken Salad

A bolder option when you want your chicken salad with some heat and plenty of savory flavor.

Chicken Salad with Dill Pickles

Go with this version when you want something tangy and savory for an easy lunch or meal prep.

Cozy Dinners with Shredded Chicken

If you have a few cups of shredded chicken to use, casseroles and pot pie can turn it into a full comfort-food dinner without cooking the chicken from scratch.