5 Best Canned Chicken Brands That Are The Bomb
We mean healthier versions of canned chicken you’re normally accustomed to.
Canned chicken has a reputation for being unhealthy. That’s only thing because we are used to the idea that everything canned and processed is out to get us.
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That is not the case for canned chicken these days. The best canned chicken is the one that can help us live healthily. We are talking about less sodium, lean chunky chicken meat, the right amount of protein, fat-free content, and everything else that matters in today’s food consumption.
So what are these best canned chicken brands that offer such healthy features? We have summed up 5 of them just for you. They are going to be the bomb once you have turned them into meals for you and your family.
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5 Best Canned Chicken Brands That’s Worth A Look
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From kitchen supplies to bathroom toiletries, Kirkland Signature has them all. They have been offering so many items for years and that includes canned chicken. In fact, Kirkland Signature’s canned chicken is a popular choice for people looking into eating healthy since it is made from chicken breast and has rich meat protein.
The chicken is also firm, yet it’s not difficult to shred, making this an ideal choice for stews, soups, and salads.
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Having anti-biotic free chicken on your dinner table sounds like a good and healthy idea. Swanson offers just that with their premium white and dark canned chicken. They also contain no preservatives if you’re worried about having that ingredient around in your kitchen.
Swanson’s canned chicken is also very chunky with a tasty broth. They are made with high quality ingredients that it’s become a trusted household brand.
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No salt added is probably Hormel’s best selling point in their canned chicken. You get the right amount of protein without the crazy sodium levels. Yet it tastes good enough to eat as is. It’s juicy and chunky too. All in all, Swanson’s Premium canned chicken is the chicken you need when you want to eat healthily but in a rush.
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One of the things people don’t appreciate about canned chicken is that they come in a watery broth. But with Keystone Meats All Natural Canned Chicken, it’s made with just chicken and sea salt. The ingredients are simple enough that you’re sure to get all natural flavors.
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Looking for just a simple tender white meat canned chicken? Then Sweet Sue is here for you. It’s best eaten whether cooked or right out of the can for the chicken is moist and tasty. It’s also best paired with crackers and bread.
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With all these low sodium canned chicken brands and fat-free content details, you’re assured you have healthy options in your home. Some of these brands carry even bigger sizes for when you have a party over and decide to use them for huge platters.
These canned chicken brands are also convenient since you can order them online. Their shelf life is long, so you need not worry about it going bad in your pantry. If you’ve opened them already and have a few chickens left, transfer it to a clean container and store it in the fridge.
So now that you know all these canned chicken brands, let’s take a good look at things you need to consider before buying.
Things to Consider Before Making a Purchase
Is Canned Chicken Healthy?
Is canned chicken good for you? That’s a very good question. The first thing we think of canned goods is that they’re usually high in sodium. That fact alone is enough for many of us to stray away from the canned section in supermarkets.
There’s also the knowledge of knowing canned goods are processed food. The term “processed” instantly scares us, and the first instinct is to back away from it. That has to be unhealthy, right?
But because the trends are changing, so is the canned industry. Now, we see more goods with reduced sodium content and with still the same great taste. They may still be processed, but only minimally. This ensures us that having canned goods every now and then isn’t as bad as we thought it would be.
What does that say about the canned chicken industry? Is canned chicken bad for you? This does make one wonder considering we’re used to knowing how unhealthy it can be. But this is where reading the back of the label comes in and why it’s so important to do so.
The less artificial ingredients you read on the label of your canned chicken is probably better. Natural is the way to go. If you end up reading a ton of ingredients with very technical words, words you probably don’t even understand, then either research up on it or take a step back and choose another brand with just the simplest ingredients.
All in all, canned chicken is healthy. But it’s recommended not to consume it every day and in every meal as with every other canned good. Eating everything in moderation is still the best dietary tip out there so do think about that when you want to eat something canned all the time.
Is Canned Chicken Cooked?
If you’re thinking about whether or not you can have canned chicken right out of the can, then yes, because canned chicken is already cooked.
Processed is the term you’re already familiar with. Canned chicken is processed once they’re stored in the cans. But before you start panicking about this kind of knowledge, you need to know that canned chicken is processed minimally, so it retains its nutrients such as protein, which is what chicken is normally known for providing us.
Just how "cooked" is canned chicken? This video shows you how the processing looks like.
Having the chicken “cooked” inside the can give it that “canned” taste. But that shouldn’t be such a problem since you can still turn the taste to your liking by cooking and preparing it again the way you want.
So in conclusion, you can eat canned chicken right after opening it. It’s cooked and salted enough to go on bread, rice, or whatever else you’d like to pair it with. It’s not raw, if that’s what you were worried about.
But why stop there when you can be making more meals than just plain canned chicken? Here are 5 quick and simple canned chicken recipes and ideas you can work with.
5 Easy Canned Chicken Recipes
1. Chicken Spread
Chicken spreads can be made just like how you make tuna spreads. All you need are simple ingredients such as:
You can mix all these in together with the measurement just to your size and liking. Be sure to drain the chicken from the can to avoid making the spread soupy. You want it to be nice and thick to be able to retain all that chunky goodness.
If you’d like to use low sodium, substitute salt, and pepper with lemon juice. This spread is delicious for quick snacks on bread and crackers. You can make huge batches of this for a healthy appetizer platter for parties.
2. Chicken Pie
Rushing up a quick but hearty dinner for the family? With the best-canned chicken in your cupboard, it’s not a problem.
Put up a delicious chicken pie by cooking canned chicken, chicken broth, carrots, potatoes and mushrooms. You can use store-bought pie crust since those are tasty to use as well. Brush the top of the pie with egg wash, and you’ll get a golden beautiful chicken pie that’s delicious and one your family will love.
3. Chicken Noodle Soup
Who says you can only eat chicken noodle soup on bad days? Cook up a delightful chicken noodle soup with canned chicken, chicken stock, carrots, celery and your favorite pasta noodles. Break down the noodles if you want your soup just like you used to have it as a kid.
Who says you can only eat chicken noodle soup on bad days? Cook up a delightful chicken noodle soup with canned chicken, chicken stock, carrots, celery and your favorite pasta noodles. Break down the noodles if you want your soup just like you used to have it as a kid.
4. Chicken Fried Rice
Fried rice is such a filling meal that it’s one of the most convenient dishes to make. Having canned chicken around also helps make it more delicious.
If you’re wondering about the day old rice, it’s actually the secret to making good old fashioned fried rice. Asian families would have left over rice from the night before, so they’d keep it and cook fried rice the next morning. So if you have some leftover rice, you know what to do.
5. Chicken Salad
Going low carb? Chicken salads can make for a healthy meal option. Drain your canned chicken and toss them in light mayo with celery, walnuts, apples and grapes. You can put the chicken salad in a bed of lettuce if you want that extra crunch.
You can make an extra batch and keep them in the refrigerator. Just keep the lettuce separately to prevent it from turning soggy.
Conclusion
Canned chicken can be a substitute for real chicken as it packs the same amount of protein. It’s convenient and affordable. You can also keep them in your kitchen pantry for a long time or keep them as emergency food supply for when calamities strike. Just make sure to get the easy pull off top so you can have it on the go.
The best canned chicken brands look out for your health, so be sure to read the back of the label if you want canned chicken with natural ingredients. Every brand mentioned above may be a winner for your homes. Again, it’s already cooked so you can eat it after opening. But try out some of the recipes mentioned above. You’ll find them even delicious and something to share with friends and family.
