32 Kid Friendly Canned Chicken Ideas for Lunch
I have a lunchtime tip for you, especially for the summer when the kids are around. Have you ever tried using canned chicken? It’s a game-changer! Not only is it cheaper, but it also makes it super easy to prepare small, kid-friendly lunches.
We know how important it is to find budget-friendly options that are still nutritious and tasty. Well, canned chicken has got you covered! It’s so versatile that you can make sandwiches, wraps, salads, and casseroles in no time. Trust me, it’s a total time-saver and a hit with the little ones. Give it a try and make lunchtime a breeze this summer!
What to make for lunch with canned chicken?
Here is our go-to list of lunches that are easy to make with canned chicken! Our kids love them, and adults love them too.
1. Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Cook your favorite pasta according to package instructions. In a separate pan, heat the canned chicken with store-bought Alfredo sauce. Once heated through, mix the chicken and sauce with the cooked pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.
2. Chicken and Vegetable Stir-Fry
Drain and shred the canned chicken. Sauté the chicken with a variety of kid-friendly vegetables such as bell peppers, snap peas, carrots, and broccoli. Add a simple stir-fry sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and a little honey. Serve over rice or noodles.
3. Chicken and Rice Casserole
Mix the canned chicken with cooked rice, frozen mixed vegetables, and a can of condensed cream of chicken soup. Add some grated cheese if desired. Transfer to a baking dish, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly.
4. BBQ Chicken Sliders
Drain and shred the canned chicken, then mix it with your favorite BBQ sauce. Serve the BBQ chicken on slider buns and top with pickles or coleslaw.
5. Chicken and Corn Chowder
Sauté diced onions and celery in a pot with a little oil. Add canned chicken, frozen corn kernels, diced potatoes, chicken broth, and milk. Simmer until the potatoes are tender and the flavors meld together.
6. Chicken Caesar Salad Wraps
Drain the canned chicken and mix it with Caesar dressing. Spread the chicken mixture onto large lettuce leaves and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Roll them up and secure with toothpicks for easy handling.
7. Chicken Tostadas
Drain and shred the canned chicken. Heat up some store-bought tostada shells in the oven or on a stovetop skillet. Top the shells with refried beans, shredded lettuce, shredded chicken, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and a dollop of sour cream.
8. Chicken and Broccoli Casserole
Mix the canned chicken with cooked broccoli florets and a can of condensed cream of mushroom soup. Transfer to a baking dish, top with shredded cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs, and bake until golden and bubbly.
9. Chicken Taco Salad
Drain and shred the canned chicken. Serve it over a bed of lettuce and top with black beans, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, and crushed tortilla chips. Offer a variety of dressings for kids to choose from, such as ranch or salsa.
10. Chicken Salad Wraps
Drain the canned chicken and mix it with mayonnaise, diced celery, and a little bit of mustard. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spread the chicken salad onto tortillas and add lettuce or other vegetables your kids enjoy. Roll them up and slice into bite-sized wraps.
11. Chicken Quesadillas
Drain and shred the canned chicken. Heat a tortilla in a skillet, sprinkle shredded cheese on one half, and add the shredded chicken on top. Fold the tortilla in half and cook until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or guacamole.
12. Chicken Noodle Soup
Use the canned chicken to make a quick and comforting chicken noodle soup. Sauté some diced onions, carrots, and celery in a pot with a little oil. Add chicken broth, canned chicken, and your choice of cooked noodles. Season with salt, pepper, and herbs like thyme or parsley. Simmer until heated through, and you have a hearty soup ready to serve.
13. Chicken Tacos
Drain and shred the canned chicken. Heat the shredded chicken in a skillet with some taco seasoning and a little water to moisten. Warm taco shells or tortillas and let your kids assemble their own tacos with the chicken, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and any other toppings they like.
14. Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
Mix the canned chicken with shredded cheese, and optionally add some sautéed onions or bell peppers. Spread the mixture onto tortillas and cook them in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns crispy. Cut into wedges and serve with salsa or sour cream.
15. Chicken and Vegetable Skillet
Sauté canned chicken with a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, and corn. Season with your choice of spices, such as garlic powder, cumin, and paprika. Serve over cooked rice or quinoa.
16. Chicken and Cheese Roll-Ups
Spread cream cheese onto tortillas, then top with canned chicken and shredded cheese. Roll them up tightly and slice into bite-sized pinwheels for a fun and portable lunch option.
17. Chicken and Rice Soup
Cook rice according to package instructions. In a pot, combine canned chicken, cooked rice, diced carrots, celery, and chicken broth. Season with herbs like thyme and parsley. Simmer until the vegetables are tender and the flavors meld together.
18. Chicken and Veggie Nuggets
Drain and finely shred the canned chicken. Mix it with cooked and mashed vegetables like carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes. Add breadcrumbs, an egg, and seasonings. Shape into small nuggets, then bake or air-fry until crispy.
19. Chicken and Black Bean Tacos
Warm soft tortillas and fill them with canned chicken, black beans, shredded lettuce, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Top these fun tacos with salsa or guacamole for added flavor.
20. Chicken and Spinach Pasta
Cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions. In a separate pan, sauté canned chicken with fresh spinach leaves, garlic, and olive oil. Toss the chicken and spinach mixture with the cooked pasta, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese.
21. Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowl
Serve canned chicken over a bed of cooked rice, then add toppings such as black beans, diced tomatoes, shredded cheese, avocado slices, and a dollop of sour cream. Customize with your family’s favorite toppings.
22. Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
Sauté canned chicken with bite-sized broccoli florets and sliced bell peppers. Add a simple stir-fry sauce made from soy sauce, honey, garlic, and ginger. Serve over rice or noodles.
23. Chicken and Avocado Sandwiches
Mash ripe avocados with a squeeze of lime juice and a pinch of salt. Spread the avocado mixture onto bread or rolls, then layer with canned chicken, lettuce, and tomato slices for a tasty and nutritious sandwich.
24. Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash
Sauté diced sweet potatoes, canned chicken, and diced onions in a skillet until the sweet potatoes are tender. Season with salt, pepper, and your choice of spices. Serve as a hearty and flavorful lunch option.
25. Chicken and Cheese Pizza Quesadillas
Spread marinara sauce onto tortillas, then top with canned chicken and shredded cheese. Fold the tortillas in half and cook them in a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortilla turns crispy. Slice into wedges and serve with additional marinara sauce for dipping.
26. Chicken and Broccoli Chow Mein
Sauté canned chicken with frozen broccoli, sliced bell peppers, and shredded carrots. Add cooked chow mein noodles and a simple sauce made from soy sauce, garlic, and sesame oil. Stir-fry until everything is well combined and heated through.
27. Chicken and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers
Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove the seeds. Cook a mixture of canned chicken, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and shredded cheese. Stuff the peppers with the mixture, place them in a baking dish, and bake until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
28. Chicken and Vegetable Pasta Bake
Cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions. In a separate pan, sauté canned chicken with mixed vegetables like peas, carrots, and corn. Mix the chicken and vegetables with cooked pasta and tomato sauce. Transfer to a baking dish, top with grated cheese, and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
29. Chicken and Broccoli Alfredo Pizza
Pre-bake a pizza crust according to package instructions. Spread Alfredo sauce over the crust, then top with canned chicken, steamed broccoli florets, and shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
30. Chicken and Cheese Taquitos
Mix canned chicken with shredded cheese, diced onions, and diced bell peppers. Spoon the mixture onto tortillas and roll them up. Place the rolled tortillas in a baking dish or baking sheet and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
31. Chicken and Vegetable Fried Rice
In a large skillet or wok, sauté canned chicken with mixed vegetables like carrots, peas, and green onions. Add cooked rice and soy sauce, and stir-fry until everything is well combined and heated through.
32. Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad
Cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions. Drain and rinse with cold water. In a mixing bowl, combine canned chicken, cooked pasta, diced tomatoes, chopped romaine lettuce, and Caesar dressing. Toss to coat everything evenly and serve chilled.
Simple Canned Chicken Ideas
Tired of the same old lunch routine for both kids and adults? It’s time to break free from the monotonous cycle! With this amazing list of easy canned chicken lunches, we can bid farewell to the boring and welcome a world of delicious variety.
What’s even better is that these lunches are not only quick and easy to make but also healthy and nutritious. The best part? We can repurpose leftovers from dinner, like cooked pasta, baked potatoes, and veggies, to create these delightful meals.
This summer, we won’t be stuck with mundane Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches every day. It’s time to embrace exciting and flavorful lunches that will keep us satisfied and energized. Let’s say goodbye to the lunchtime rut and welcome a refreshing change of flavors!
