12 Delicious Ways to Use Boiled Chicken Breasts

Boiled chicken breasts are incredibly versatile and can be used in all sorts of quick, easy, and tasty meals. As a busy home cook, I rely on having boiled chicken breasts on hand to throw together weeknight dinners or pack for weekday lunches. The mild flavor and tender, shred-friendly texture of properly cooked boiled chicken allows it to work in a wide variety of dishes across cuisines.

In this article, I’ll share 12 of my favorite ways to use boiled chicken breasts to make delicious and satisfying meals for the whole family. These recipes turn a simple boiled chicken breast into something special with unique seasonings, sauces, and ingredients.

Benefits of Boiled Chicken Breasts

Before jumping into the recipes let’s look at some of the advantages that boiled chicken breasts offer

• Quick cooking time – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook in just 15-20 minutes.

• Lean and protein-packed – Low in fat and calories but high in satiating protein.

• Extremely versatile – Works in salads, sandwiches, pastas soups, and more.

• Easy to shred – Perfect for use in tacos, enchiladas, and casseroles.

• Meal prep friendly – Cook once and use all week long.

Simple Seasoning Ideas

Boiled chicken breasts have a mild flavor, making them the perfect canvas for bold seasonings and spice blends. Before adding the chicken to any recipe, consider enhancing it with:

• Lemon juice and garlic powder
• Onion powder and paprika
• Chili powder and cumin
• Italian herb seasoning
• Jerk or Cajun seasoning

1. Chicken Salad Sandwiches

Chicken salad is a classic way to use up boiled chicken breasts. This version has a refreshing twist with the addition of apples, grapes, and nuts. Spoon it onto sandwich bread or wraps for an easy packed lunch.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped boiled chicken breasts
• 1⁄4 cup mayonnaise
• 1⁄4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 1 apple, diced
• 1⁄4 cup grapes, halved
• 2 Tbsp walnuts, chopped
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 tsp salt
• Ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together the boiled chicken, mayo, yogurt, celery, apple, grapes, walnuts, mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

2. Serve on bread, rolls, or wraps along with lettuce leaves and sliced tomatoes.

2. Buffalo Chicken Wraps

These spicy wraps are quick to whip up and full of zesty buffalo flavor. They make an easy lunch or light dinner.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded boiled chicken breast
• 1⁄4 cup buffalo wing sauce
• 1⁄2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1⁄2 cup chopped lettuce
• 4 flour tortillas

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, toss the shredded chicken with the buffalo sauce until well coated.

2. Divide the chicken between the 4 tortillas. Top with lettuce and cheese.

3. Roll up tightly and serve.

3. Chicken Fajitas

Slice boiled chicken breasts into strips and sauté with bell peppers and onions for an easy take on classic fajitas.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boiled chicken breasts, sliced into strips
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 8 small flour tortillas
• Toppings: salsa, guacamole, sour cream

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the chicken, peppers and onion in the olive oil for 5-7 minutes until softened.

2. Add the spices and cook another 1-2 minutes.

3. Serve the fajita mix on warm tortillas with desired toppings.

4. Chicken & Rice Casserole

This comforting casserole bakes up creamy, cheesy and full of flavor. It’s perfect for leftovers too.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped boiled chicken breast
• 1 cup uncooked instant rice
• 10 oz cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In an 8×8 baking dish, mix together the chicken, uncooked rice, soup, milk, 3⁄4 cup cheese, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.

2. Bake for 45 minutes until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle remaining 1⁄4 cup cheese on top and bake 5 more minutes.

3. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

5. Skillet Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan normally requires frying, but this skillet version uses boiled chicken breasts for a lighter and faster meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boiled chicken breasts
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chicken in olive oil for 2-3 minutes per side until browned.

2. Pour marinara over chicken and sprinkle with cheeses and Italian seasoning.

3. Cover and cook 5 minutes until cheese is melty. Garnish with basil.

4. Serve over pasta or zucchini noodles.

6. Thai Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Fresh, crunchy lettuce leaves make the perfect vessel for these flavorful Thai chicken wraps.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chopped boiled chicken breast
• 2 Tbsp lime juice
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp Thai red curry paste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1⁄4 cup chopped basil
• 1⁄4 cup chopped cilantro
• Boston or romaine lettuce leaves

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together all ingredients except lettuce.

2. Spoon chicken mixture into lettuce leaves, fold over and enjoy.

7. Chicken & Vegetable Stir Fry

Transform boiled chicken breasts into a quick and healthy stir fry piled with crisp, fresh veggies.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boiled chicken breasts, sliced
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 1 cup broccoli florets
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup snap peas
• 1 cup carrots, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp cornstarch

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet or wok, heat 1 Tbsp oil over high heat.

2. Add chicken and stir fry 3-4 minutes until lightly browned. Remove chicken.

3. Heat remaining 1 Tbsp oil. Stir fry veggies 2-3 minutes until crisp-tender.

4. Return chicken to pan. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, cornstarch, then add to pan and toss everything together until thickened, about 1 minute.

5. Serve over rice.

8. BBQ Chicken Sliders

Game day or party appetizers don’t get much easier than these tangy, saucy sliders.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded boiled chicken breast
• 1⁄2 cup barbecue sauce
• 6 slider buns or dinner rolls
• 1⁄2 cup coleslaw
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix together chicken, barbecue sauce, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

2. Pile chicken mixture onto the slider buns and top with coleslaw.

9. Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas are such an easy, tasty way to use up leftover chicken. Feel free to switch up the fillings.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded boiled chicken breast
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
• 4 large flour tortillas
• 2 Tbsp butter, divided
• Sour cream, salsa, and guacamole for serving

Instructions:

1. On a skillet over medium heat, place 1 tortilla. Sprinkle 1⁄2 cup chicken, 1⁄4 cup cheese and 1⁄2 Tbsp butter evenly over half the tortilla.

2. Fold the empty tortilla half over the filling and cook 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown.

3. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Cut into wedges and serve with desired toppings.

10. Chicken & Spinach Stuffed Shells

These cheesy stuffed shells are easy to prep ahead of time and perfect for feeding a crowd.

Ingredients:

• 12 jumbo pasta shells, cooked
• 2 cups chopped boiled chicken breast
• 10 oz frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 15 oz ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1⁄4 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1⁄4 tsp nutmeg
• 24 oz marinara sauce

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. In a bowl, mix together chicken, spinach, ricotta, 1⁄2 cup mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, Italian seasoning and nutmeg.

2. Stuff shells with chicken mixture and place in a baking dish. Top with marinara and remaining 1⁄2 cup mozzarella.

3. Bake 25 minutes until hot and bubbly. Let cool 5 minutes before serving.

11. Chicken & Rice Soup

Shredded chicken breast gives this classic soup even more protein power and hearty flavor.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded boiled chicken breast
• 5 cups chicken broth
• 1⁄2 cup onion, diced
• 1⁄2 cup carrots, diced
• 1⁄2 cup celery, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1⁄2 cup uncooked rice
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, sauté the onions, carrots, celery and garlic in 1 Tbsp olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes.

2. Add broth, chicken, rice, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Remove bay leaf before serving.

12. Chicken & Apple Flatbread Pizzas

These individual pizzas are topped with a tasty mix of chicken, apples, cheese and spinach for a fun twist.

Ingredients:

For flatbreads:

• 1 lb prepared pizza dough
• Olive oil for brushing
• Cornmeal for dusting

For topping:

• 2 cups chopped boiled chicken breast
• 1 apple, thinly sliced
• 1⁄2 cup shredded mozzarella
• 1⁄2 cup baby spinach
• 2 Tbsp balsamic glaze

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 450°F. On a floured surface, divide dough into 4 pieces. Roll out each to a 6-inch round, about 1⁄4-inch thick.

2. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle cornmeal on pans. Bake 5 minutes until lightly browned.

3. Top each flatbread with chicken, apple slices, cheese and spinach. Bake 5 more minutes until cheese melts.

4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.

So there you have it – a dozen tasty ways to transform simple boiled chicken breasts into easy, delicious meals. With a variety of globally inspired flavors, comfort foods, lighter options and kid-friendly picks, you’re sure to find a new favorite way to use this lean, protein-packed poultry. Keep boiled chicken breasts handy in the fridge or freezer so you always have the makings for a quick, wholesome dinner or lunch.