Why You Shouldn’t Use Canned Chicken In A Casserole

The topic of canned meat can be polarizing, to say the least. Some will admit to loving canned meats such as Deviled Ham and Spam, convenient and inexpensive (and some would say tasty) canned meats that have provided breakfast, lunch, and supper options to millions of budget-minded Americans. But while canned chicken may be ideal for stashing in your backpack or RV kitchen for a camping trip, it isn't a good idea to use a food item with a shelf life of two to five years in an otherwise fresh and flavorful pasta casserole. Need convincing? Here is why you should use fresh-cooked chicken over canned chicken in a pasta dish, how to easily prepare fresh chicken—and what to make with that can of chicken that's been sitting in the back of the cupboard.

What Is Canned Chicken?

Canned chicken is pre-cooked, skinless poultry meat that is processed and packed in water or broth. Many brands use white meat or pure chicken breast, though you can find cans with a mix of white and dark meat. Most add salt as a preservative, something to keep in mind when you cook with it.

The canning process tends to take away a lot of the original flavor and some of the firmness of the chicken. Including canned chicken in a pasta recipe would imbue the entire dish with the metallic taste and "essence" of the can, potentially overpowering the contribution of the other ingredients or the delicate sauce. The meat, which can become stringy after sitting so long in the canned water, leaches out liquid when it is cooked, which will make the sauce loose and watery.

How To Use Fresh Chicken Instead

It doesn't take long to cook fresh chicken and, considering how much better tasting homemade chicken is over canned, it is well worth the planning and extra time. For instance, the next time you contemplate preparing a chicken for Sunday dinner, add another one to the roasting pan. In just under two hours you can roast two chickens; serve one for dinner and shred and store the other for salads, soups, and sandwiches.

If you need only a small amount of chicken, consider sautéing chicken breasts or thighs. Skinless, boneless pieces are the quickest to work with. Simply heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with salt and pepper, add to the pan, and cook for four to five minutes on each side, or until done. Let the chicken cool, slice and/or shred it, and proceed with your recipe. Southern Living Test Kitchen pro Paige Grandjean believes that "If you take the time to cook your own chicken, you can use the cooking liquid to build your sauce or cook your pasta…extra flavor!"

Substitute With Rotisserie Chicken

If you are going to stop at the store for canned chicken, go ahead and make a detour over to the deli and pick up a hot and juicy rotisserie chicken instead. Yes, you will spend a few extra minutes at home shredding the meat, but it will be warm, tasty, and fresh. The canned chicken will be…well, what is the opposite of warm, tasty, and fresh?

Choose Quick Recipes

If you’re looking for quick recipes with the convenience of canned chicken, try one of these easy and delicious dishes. They use pre-cooked chicken and can be on your table in a flash.

• Green Chile Mac and Cheese with Chicken
• Creamy Chicken Alfredo Casserole
• Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese
• Lightened-Up Chicken-Broccoli Casserole
• Pimiento Cheese Chicken-Broccoli Casserole

What To Cook With Canned Chicken

While canned chicken is not our go-to ingredient, there are recipes in which this convenient can of meat can be used to good purpose when you're in a hurry. Not all brands are created equal, so look for cans with a short ingredient list, uniform chunks, and a firm but moist texture.

Try using canned chicken in enchiladas or quesadillas, first draining the chicken and then sautéing the chunks in a little butter and plenty of spices and chiles before filling the tortillas. Or use it for chicken salad at lunch, mixing the drained meat with lots of mayo, spices, and celery. You can also use canned chicken for healthy burgers, forming the patties with binders like bread crumbs and egg and flavoring with onion and seasonings.