I’m a Registered Dietitian and I Always Stock Up on This Canned Good
Chicken is often (and rightfully!) lauded as a quick solution to busy weeknight meals. With little more than a simple package of chicken breasts defrosted, you can make BBQ ranch chicken bites, lemon pepper chicken, honey-garlic chicken, or a myriad of other quick 30-minute dinners. But, sometimes, even 30 minutes is too much. Honestly, even 20-minute recipes can be about 18 minutes too long when my family and I need a balanced meal ASAP.
And that’s where my pantry comes in.
My pantry is always stocked with cans of Wild Planet Organic Roasted Chicken Breast. Sure, it took me a minute to wrap my head around the idea of canned, cooked chicken … and then a few more minutes to even try it. But once I opened the can and swapped it into some of my go-to chicken dishes, I was sold.
Buy: Wild Planet Organic Roasted Chicken Breast, $4.79 for 5 ounces at Amazon
Wild Planet Organic Roasted Chicken Breast is pre-cooked and canned organic chicken with a pinch of salt added — that’s it. Unlike some other pre-cooked chicken breast options on the market, this one is free from any fillers, stabilizers, added liquid, or flavorings. It’s just like a piece of freshly cooked chicken breast with a pinch of sea salt added to it. It’s ready to go and can be broken up into chunks or shredded with a fork. A high-quality protein with zero cooking involved makes meal planning instantly easier.
Since cracking open the first can, I’ve made a variety of dishes that taste just as good as they would if I used fresh chicken, and take far less time in the kitchen. Like what, you ask? Sandwiches, snack boards, casseroles, and more! Again, all made with minimal effort.
One of my favorite ways to use this canned stuff? In chicken salad. I love that I don’t need to pick off pieces of meat from a bone-in rotisserie chicken. I simply just open the can, transfer the chicken to a bowl and mix it with some dried cranberries, slivered almonds, and a bit of Primal Kitchen mayo for a super-simple and satisfying lunch in sandwich or snack-board form.
This chicken is also an excellent topper to salads and can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner, depending on the mix-ins. I like to start with a bed of lettuce and add a can of chicken, along with other veggies, chopped nuts, and a homemade salad dressing. And on nights I do have the 20 minutes to spare, I’ll make an easy casserole that calls for chicken and swap out the raw choice for the canned version. It cuts the cooking time in half!
Have you tried this canned chicken? Tell us about it in the comments!
This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: I’m a Registered Dietitian and This Is the One Canned Good I Stock in My Pantry at All Times