Have you ever found yourself wandering aimlessly through grocery store aisles, desperately searching for canned chicken? I’ve been there too! It’s frustrating when you need this convenient protein source for a quick recipe but can’t seem to locate it. Today, I’m gonna share everything I know about finding canned chicken in grocery stores, so you never have to play hide-and-seek with this pantry staple again.
The Most Common Location: Canned Goods Aisle
The canned goods aisle is typically your best bet when hunting for canned chicken. Most grocery stores organize their merchandise logically, and canned chicken is almost always placed alongside other canned meats. Here’s where to look first:
With Other Canned Meats
Look for the section containing canned tuna and salmon. Stores usually group these items together because shoppers use them in similar ways – in sandwiches, salads, and quick meals. Brands like Swanson Premium Chunk White Chicken Breast and StarKist Premium White Chicken will likely be sitting right beside the tuna.
In the Poultry Section (Still in Canned Goods)
Some larger stores have a dedicated section for canned poultry products. This might be located at either end of the canned meats aisle. If you see canned turkey products, the chicken should be nearby!
Alternative Locations to Check
If you’ve scoured the canned goods aisle without success, don’t give up hope! Here are some other places where canned chicken might be hiding:
Near Soups
Sometimes grocery stores place canned chicken close to soup products, particularly chicken noodle soup or cream of chicken varieties. This placement makes sense since canned chicken is often used as an ingredient in homemade soups.
International Foods Section
In bigger supermarkets with extensive international food sections, you might find specialty canned chicken varieties used in global cuisines. Look for Asian or Mexican-inspired canned chicken products here
Discount Areas and Endcaps
Keep an eye on discount aisles or endcaps (those displays at the end of aisles) Canned chicken sometimes ends up here due to overstocking or seasonal promotions, It’s worth checking these areas for deals too!
Tips for Finding Canned Chicken Faster
Read Store Signage
Most grocery stores have helpful signage to guide shoppers. Look for signs pointing to “Canned Meats,” “Canned Poultry,” or specifically “Canned Chicken.” Larger stores often place aisle directories near the entrance that can pinpoint the exact location.
Ask Store Employees
When all else fails, just ask! Store employees know their layout better than anyone and can quickly direct you to the canned chicken. No need to waste time searching when help is available.
Check Store Apps
Many retailers like Target have mobile apps that can tell you exactly which aisle contains the products you’re looking for. Some even provide in-store navigation!
Popular Canned Chicken Brands to Look For
When searching for canned chicken, these are some popular brands that might catch your eye:
- Swanson Premium Chunk White Chicken Breast (especially in water)
- StarKist Premium White Chicken (often in pouches too)
- Valley Fresh
- Kirkland Signature (at Costco)
- Great Value (at Walmart)
- Market Pantry or Good & Gather (at Target)
What You’ll Find: Types of Canned Chicken
Once you locate the canned chicken section, you’ll discover different varieties:
By Format
- Chunk chicken – Larger pieces good for salads and dishes where you want visible chicken pieces
- Shredded chicken – Finely shredded, perfect for dips, spreads, and mixing into casseroles
By Packing Liquid
- In water – Lower in calories, milder flavor
- In broth – More flavorful, slightly higher sodium
- Specialty varieties – Some brands offer flavored options like buffalo-style or barbecue
Why Canned Chicken is Worth Finding
Canned chicken is truly a versatile pantry staple that deserves a spot in your kitchen. Here’s why I always keep a few cans on hand:
- Long shelf life – Unopened cans last 2-5 years past the “best by” date
- Pre-cooked and ready to use – No cooking required!
- Good source of protein – Perfect for quick, nutritious meals
- Cost-effective – Usually cheaper per serving than fresh chicken
- Great for emergencies – Ideal for power outages or when you can’t get to the store
Delicious Ways to Use Canned Chicken
Now that you know where to find it, here are some tasty ways to use canned chicken:
- Quick chicken salad sandwiches
- Chicken quesadillas or tacos
- Easy chicken pot pie
- Addition to pasta dishes
- Protein boost for green salads
- Homemade chicken noodle soup
- Creamy chicken dips for parties
Nutrition and Storage Tips
Is Canned Chicken Healthy?
Yes! Canned chicken is generally a healthy option. It’s high in protein and usually low in fat, especially varieties packed in water. However, be mindful of sodium content if you’re watching your salt intake.
Storage Guidelines
- Unopened cans: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight
- After opening: Transfer leftover chicken to an airtight container and refrigerate for 3-5 days
- Avoid: Storing cans in areas with temperature fluctuations like near the stove
FAQs About Canned Chicken
Can I eat canned chicken straight from the can?
Absolutely! It’s fully cooked and safe to eat directly from the can, though most people prefer to use it in recipes.
How does canned chicken compare to fresh?
While fresh chicken has a slightly better nutritional profile, canned chicken maintains its protein content well. The convenience factor often outweighs the minor nutritional differences.
Is canned chicken good for emergency kits?
Yes! Its long shelf life and ready-to-eat nature make it perfect for emergency preparedness kits.
Specialty Stores and Online Options
If your local grocery store doesn’t carry canned chicken or you’re looking for specific varieties, consider these alternatives:
- Target – Check their canned meat section in the pantry/grocery area
- Walmart – Usually has multiple brands and packaging options
- Costco – Offers bulk packages at good prices
- Amazon – Convenient for hard-to-find varieties or bulk purchases
- Specialty food websites – For organic or specialty varieties
My Personal Experience
We’ve all been there – planning to make a quick chicken salad only to waste 15 minutes searching for canned chicken! After numerous grocery trips, I’ve learned that most stores keep it with the tuna, but some places are weird and hide it near soups or in the international aisle. Now I just head straight to the canned meats section and scan for those chicken labels. And honestly, I always stock up when I find a good sale – nothing beats having a few cans ready for those “I don’t wanna cook” nights!
Wrapping Up
Finding canned chicken in the grocery store shouldn’t be a treasure hunt! Remember to check the canned goods aisle first, specifically near other canned meats like tuna and salmon. If it’s not there, explore near soups, in international sections, or ask a store employee for help.
Canned chicken is one of those underrated pantry staples that can save dinner on busy nights. Once you know where to find it, you’ll probably want to keep a few cans on hand for quick, protein-packed meals anytime!
Do you have any tips for finding canned chicken in grocery stores? Or maybe a favorite quick recipe using canned chicken? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
Good & Gather
Targets Good & Gather label aims to provide consumers with high-quality products at a more affordable price than name-brand items. The brands canned chicken options are limited to only one variety: premium white chicken chunks in water. The canned chicken is quite inexpensive, with the companys 5-ounce can priced at $1.29 and 10-ounce size available for $2.29, which is on par with Walmarts Great Value chicken.
However, the taste exceeds our expectations, especially given the price. Though the ingredients include additives to help with preservation, like modified food starch, the flavor does not taste fake or overly processed. The chicken was moist and had a genuine taste, which would make it the star ingredient in a quick and easy chicken pasta salad. Plus, you can purchase the product in-store or online. And, like all Good & Gather products, Target guarantees your satisfaction or your money back, which cements Good & Gather in the middle of our list.
Tyson Foods is a big name in the poultry world. It offers many different chicken products, from breaded frozen chicken nuggets to whole chickens, and, of course, canned chicken. The latter is available in white meat chicken breast, grilled white meat chicken breast with smoked flavor, and a mix of white and dark meat. We decided to taste the white premium chunk chicken, which contains 19 grams of protein in each 3-ounce serving.
In tasting Tysons white meat chicken breast, we found the lean poultry was well-seasoned, with uniform chunks that are firm, moist, juicy, and have a savory chicken taste. The sodium content was the highest for all brands we tried, with 450 milligrams per serving. The likely reason for the high sodium is the inclusion of chicken broth in its ingredients, which has more sodium than plain water. However, the taste was not overly salty. Tyson ranks in the middle of our roundup for its flavor but not at the top, as the sodium content seems excessive, and the price is higher than comparable options. A 12.5-ounce can cost roughly $4.79.
Hormel has been an innovator and leader in the canned meat industry for over 130 years. The name is synonymous with products like canned ham, chili, and, of course, Spam. However, it may not be the brand that comes to mind when considering canned chicken — even if the company has been producing it for almost as long as it has been canning hams. Like all of Hormels products, canned chicken aligns with the companys goal of providing delicious and nutritious ready-to-eat meat products.
Hormel offers a 98% fat-free premium chicken breast, a no-salt-added chicken breast, and a white and dark meat combination in 5-ounce and 10-ounce tin options. The products are pricey, with a 10-ounce can of premium chicken breast costing $4.44. The ingredient list also includes various additives, like modified food starch, sodium phosphate, and additional flavorings that are not further defined. Some of our higher-ranking brands do not share these additives.
Despite the preservatives, the flavor of Hormels chicken did not taste processed. It had a savory, authentic poultry taste that was juicy and satisfying, which placed the brand in the middle of the ranking.
Costco doesnt offer multiple options for its Kirkland Signature canned white meat chicken. The product is only available in a 12.5-ounce can — and you must buy the 6-count multi-pack. Still, the chicken cost is only $11.99 at our local store, or roughly $2.00 per can, making it one of the best prices considering its size and quality.
The extra lean white meat chicken breast is packed in water, which, once drained, equates to about 7 ounces of actual chicken. This is on par with other brands like Tyson and Hormel. The product includes sodium phosphate and modified food starch, in addition to chicken breast meat, chicken broth, water, and salt. Still, the flavor of Kirkland Signatures chicken is one of the best we tried. Unlike other private-label brands like Trader Joes and Great Value, we found that this tin had large, uniform chunks of poultry. The chicken was moist, with a meaty texture and appropriate salt content to add flavor to it.
Even though you have to be a member to purchase this product, and there is only one variety of canned chicken available, we give Kirkland Signature a high position on our list. The products quality, flavor, and great price are a win-win-win.