Ever found yourself wandering aimlessly through grocery store aisles, desperately searching for that elusive can of chicken? Trust me, I’ve been there too! What should be a simple shopping trip turns into a frustrating scavenger hunt But don’t worry – after years of grocery shopping adventures (and misadventures), I’ve mastered the art of finding canned chicken quickly and efficiently.
The Quick Answer: Where to Find Canned Chicken
For those in a hurry here’s your answer Canned chicken is typically located in the canned goods aisle specifically alongside other canned meats like tuna, salmon, and ham. But as anyone who’s ever shopped at multiple grocery stores knows, it’s not always that simple!
Navigating the Canned Goods Aisle: Your Treasure Map
Finding canned chicken sometimes feels like a mini treasure hunt. I remember one time spending nearly 20 minutes searching for it at a new store in my neighborhood – not fun when you’re hungry and in a rush! Here’s my tried-and-tested breakdown to help you locate it quickly:
The Most Common Locations
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With Other Canned Meats: This is where you’ll most likely find it. Look near canned tuna and salmon, as stores tend to group these together. Popular brands like Swanson, Great Value, and Hormel will be displayed with “chicken” prominently on their labels.
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Poultry Section (Canned Goods): Some grocery stores have organized their aisles with a dedicated section for canned poultry. This might be at the beginning or end of the canned meats aisle.
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Near the Soups Occasionally, canned chicken is placed near canned soups particularly chicken noodle or cream of chicken varieties. The store’s logic? Both might be used together in recipes.
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International Foods Aisle: In larger stores with extensive international sections, you might find specialty canned chicken varieties in the global cuisines area.
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Discount Aisle/Endcaps: Always check those endcap displays! Sometimes canned chicken ends up there due to promotions or overstocking.
Reading Store Signage Like a Pro
I can’t stress this enough – those little aisle markers are your friends! Look for signs pointing to “Canned Meats,” “Canned Poultry,” or specifically “Canned Chicken.” Many larger stores also have directories near the entrance that can save you tons of time.
When All Else Fails…
Don’t hesitate to ask for help! Store employees know their store layout better than anyone. A quick “Excuse me, where do you keep your canned chicken?” can save you precious minutes of wandering.
Popular Canned Chicken Brands You’ll Encounter
During your search, you’ll likely come across several popular brands. Based on what’s commonly available at stores like Walmart, here are the main contenders:
- Great Value: Walmart’s store brand offers chunk chicken breast in various sizes (5 oz, 12.5 oz) and pack options (single cans, 2-packs, 4-packs).
- Swanson: Known for their Premium Chunk Chicken Breast, available in regular and 25% less sodium varieties.
- Hormel: Offers both white and dark meat chicken options.
- Valley Fresh: Markets their product as “100% Natural” chicken.
- Bumble Bee: Yes, the tuna company also makes canned chicken!
- Tyson: Premium chunk chicken breast in various sizes.
Most of these come in water or broth, and many offer chunk style (larger pieces) or shredded options.
Canned Chicken: Way More Versatile Than You Think!
Once you’ve successfully located the canned chicken (victory!), you might wonder what to do with it. As someone who keeps it stocked in my pantry, I can tell you it’s incredibly versatile:
Quick Meal Ideas Using Canned Chicken
- Chicken salad sandwiches: Mix with mayo, celery, and grapes for a classic lunch
- Rapid chicken tacos: Just add seasoning and toppings
- Super-fast soup addition: Toss into any broth-based soup
- Protein-packed pasta: Mix with alfredo sauce over pasta
- Easy chicken quesadillas: Cheese + chicken + tortilla = dinner in minutes
- Speedy dips: Mix with cream cheese and buffalo sauce for a party favorite
I once impressed my friends with an “emergency” buffalo chicken dip made entirely from pantry staples when unexpected guests arrived. Canned chicken saved the day!
FAQs About Canned Chicken
Is canned chicken healthy?
Yes! It’s actually a pretty good protein source. Most varieties are low in fat (especially those packed in water rather than oil). Just be mindful of sodium content – some brands offer lower sodium options if that’s a concern for you.
How long does canned chicken last?
Unopened cans can last 2-5 years past the “best by” date when stored properly in a cool, dry place. Once opened, refrigerate and use within 3-5 days. This makes it perfect for emergency preparedness kits!
Can I eat canned chicken straight from the can?
Absolutely! It’s pre-cooked and safe to eat directly from the can. I sometimes add it straight to salads without any additional cooking. However, most people prefer to use it in recipes.
What’s the difference between chunk and shredded canned chicken?
Chunk chicken consists of larger pieces of meat, while shredded is finely pulled apart. Chunk works better for dishes where you want to see distinct pieces of chicken (like salads), while shredded is ideal for dips, soups, and recipes where you want the chicken evenly distributed.
Canned Chicken Pricing Guide
Based on current Walmart pricing, here’s what you can expect to pay:
| Brand | Size | Approximate Price | Price per Ounce |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Value | 12.5 oz (2-pack) | $5.12 | 20.5¢/oz |
| Great Value | 5 oz | $1.24 | 24.8¢/oz |
| Swanson | 12.5 oz | $4.32 | 34.6¢/oz |
| Hormel | 5 oz | $1.99 | 39.8¢/oz |
| Valley Fresh | 10 oz | $3.27 | 32.7¢/oz |
As you can see, store brands like Great Value typically offer better value per ounce. But I’ve found that different brands have slightly different textures and flavors, so it’s worth trying a few to find your preference.
Shopping Tips from a Canned Chicken Enthusiast
After years of incorporating canned chicken into my meal planning, I’ve picked up a few shopping tips:
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Stock up during sales: When you do find it, consider buying extra if it’s on sale. The long shelf life makes it perfect for stocking up.
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Check for dents: Avoid cans with dents, especially along the seams or that cause the can to bulge. These could indicate compromised safety.
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Compare unit prices: The larger cans (12.5 oz) often have a better price per ounce than smaller ones.
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Consider your recipes: If you make a lot of chicken salad, chunk style might be better. For soups and dips, shredded could be more convenient.
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Look beyond the brand: Store brands like Great Value are often just as good as name brands but at a lower price point. I’ve found Walmart’s canned chicken to be comparable to the more expensive brands in most recipes.
My Personal Canned Chicken Journey
I wasn’t always a canned chicken believer. In fact, I used to turn my nose up at the very idea! But during a particularly busy period in grad school, I discovered how convenient it was to have protein ready to go without cooking. Now it’s a staple in my pantry rotation.
My favorite quick meal? Drain a can of chunk chicken, mix with a spoonful of mayo, a squeeze of lemon, some diced celery, and a handful of grapes cut in half. Serve on whole grain bread or over greens for a protein-packed meal in literally 3 minutes flat. It’s saved my sanity on many busy weeknights!
Why Canned Chicken Deserves a Spot in Your Pantry
Beyond just convenience, canned chicken has several advantages:
- Long shelf life: Perfect for emergency preparedness
- Already cooked: No raw meat handling or cooking time
- Versatile: Works in countless recipes
- Cost-effective: Often cheaper per serving than fresh chicken
- Portable: Great for camping, office lunches, or travel
- No refrigeration needed: Until opened, of course
Final Thoughts: The Canned Chicken Hunt Conquered!
Next time you’re at the grocery store, head straight to the canned goods aisle and look for the canned meat section. Your canned chicken should be there, waiting to become your next quick meal solution. And if you can’t find it? Just ask – no need to spend your valuable time on a wild chicken chase!
Have you found canned chicken in an unusual spot in your local store? Or do you have a favorite quick recipe using this pantry staple? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!
Happy shopping and even happier cooking!
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.