Is canned whole chicken a real product? Absolutely! Dive into an in-depth exploration of Sweet Sue canned whole chicken, uncovering its unique characteristics and versatile applications. This comprehensive review and recipe guide will show you exactly what to do with a whole chicken in a can, from preparation tips to delicious meal ideas. While some might consider home pressure canning, discovering a high-quality whole chicken in a can offers unparalleled convenience. We’ll share our insights on what makes for the best tasting canned chicken, detailed nutrition information, and much more, ensuring you make the most of this intriguing pantry staple.
The concept of buying a whole chicken in a can might seem unusual at first glance, sparking curiosity for many. For preppers and those building emergency food supplies, the idea of having shelf-stable chicken in a tin holds significant appeal, offering a reliable protein source in unforeseen circumstances. Beyond its practical uses, it can also serve as a humorous novelty item, perfect for a quirky gag gift during a Secret Santa exchange.
My own journey into the world of canned whole chickens began purely out of curiosity. I was fascinated by the idea of an entire chicken preserved in a metal container and eager to experience it firsthand. Today, we embark on a detailed review, peeling back the lid on this unique culinary item and discovering what lies within a single whole chicken in a can.
In the United States, Sweet Sue’s whole canned chicken stands out as the predominant brand readily available. While I’ve encountered mentions of other brands, such as “Chicken Ready,” sourcing these products has proven challenging. Therefore, our focus will primarily be on the widely accessible Sweet Sue option, offering a practical and realistic perspective for most consumers.
Sweet Sue’s canned chicken is prepared without giblets, offering a streamlined product. The can itself features an inviting image of a golden, roasted chicken, seemingly filled with stuffing, which sets a certain expectation for its contents. As for its use, this canned chicken offers various culinary possibilities: you can bake it, incorporate it into soups on the stovetop, or transform it into a refreshing cold chicken salad. Further in this article, you’ll find Sweet Sue’s official cooking directions, useful if your packaging is damaged, along with an authentic look at the product and my preferred method for preparing it.
🤔 What’s the Best Canned Chicken for Your Needs?
Let’s be candid about the world of canned chicken. While I appreciate whole canned chicken for its novelty and unique presentation, it’s generally not my top recommendation for everyday use. Its primary drawbacks are its higher cost and a tendency to be quite dry, despite its mild saltiness. When considering overall value, taste, and texture, other forms of canned chicken often come out ahead.
For most consumers, the best canned chicken is typically the more affordable canned chicken chunks or shredded chicken readily found in standard grocery stores. These varieties are not only budget-friendly but also tend to be less dry. If sodium content is a concern, they can easily be rinsed to reduce saltiness, offering greater flexibility in meal preparation.
Consider the economics: a single can of whole chicken can cost as much as four to five of the popular $5 rotisserie chickens available at warehouses like Costco. Moreover, Costco’s rotisserie chickens provide a significantly larger quantity of meat for your money. In my personal opinion, a rotisserie chicken offers superior flavor, greater meat yield, and better overall value, making it a more practical and enjoyable choice for many households compared to its canned whole counterpart.
However, it’s important to acknowledge the distinct purpose of whole chicken in a can. For emergency preparedness, camping trips, or situations where refrigeration and immediate cooking are not options, its extended shelf life and ready-to-eat nature make it incredibly valuable. Its appeal lies less in gourmet taste and more in its utility as a reliable, storable protein source.
🥘 Unveiling Canned Whole Chicken: Ingredients and Appearance
Many consumers wonder, “What exactly is in canned chicken?” The ingredients list for Sweet Sue’s whole chicken in a can is surprisingly simple and transparent, reflecting a minimal approach to food preservation:
- Chicken
- Water
- Salt
Sweet Sue’s commitment to simplicity means their canned chicken contains no artificial additives. The salt, alongside the robust canning process, acts as a natural preservative, ensuring the product remains safe and stable for an extended period.
Upon opening a can of whole chicken, a common question arises: “What is the liquid in canned chicken?” You’ll observe a yellowish liquid that is more than just salted water. This liquid is actually a rich combination of natural chicken broth, which develops during the cooking and canning process, and rendered chicken fat. This flavorful broth can be a valuable addition to other recipes, adding depth and moisture.
The packaging often suggests refrigerating the chicken before opening the can. However, based on my experience, I advise against this unless you prefer your chicken encased in a gelatinous mass. Refrigerating the can causes the fat and broth to congeal, making them much harder to remove cleanly from the chicken. It’s often easier to handle the chicken and separate the fat when the can is opened at room temperature.
😋 What Do You Do with a Canned Whole Chicken? Essential Preparation Tips
Once you’ve opened a canned whole chicken, you have several options for its use. It’s perfectly fine to cook with it, or you can incorporate it into cold dishes like chicken salad. My experience, however, reveals that whole canned chicken tends to be quite dry and rather bland straight from the can. Therefore, to truly enhance its flavor and texture, I highly recommend serving it with ample seasoning and additional moisture or fat.
To prepare your whole canned chicken for eating, begin by carefully draining the contents. Place the chicken in a colander set over a bowl. This allows you to collect the flavorful broth, which can be saved for future chicken recipes, soups, or to enhance the moisture of the chicken itself.
The initial appearance of the chicken from the can can be quite a surprise, differing significantly from the idealized image on the packaging. The chicken is remarkably soft, often barely holding its structure together. The skin, instead of being crispy and golden, is typically soft and rubbery, and even the bones are unusually pliable. This is a normal result of the high-heat, high-pressure canning process, which renders the connective tissues and bones very tender.
Indeed, its appearance is not typically appetizing straight out of the can, which is why preparation is key. For most recipes, especially cold chicken dishes, you’ll need to carefully remove the soft skin and bones. Then, you can cube or shred the chicken meat. Be particularly diligent in removing all the small, soft bones, as they can be easily overlooked. Despite its initial presentation, with proper seasoning and preparation, this chicken can be transformed into a tasty component of various meals.
🔥 Canned Whole Chicken Recipe: Refreshing Chicken Salad Wraps
Transforming whole canned chicken into a delightful meal is simpler than you might think. This particular chicken salad, featuring crisp apples and crunchy pecans, offers a satisfying yet calorie-conscious dinner option. It’s a perfect way to infuse flavor and texture into the chicken, making it a delicious and healthy choice. Here’s what you’ll need to create this vibrant dish:
- Meat from whole chicken in a can (ensure it’s skinless and boneless, shredded or cubed)
- Crisp chopped apple (adds a sweet crunch)
- Finely chopped broccoli florets (for freshness and added nutrients)
- Halved unsweetened dried cherries (introduces a tart-sweet note)
- Finely chopped red onion (provides a subtle bite)
- Chopped and toasted pecans (for nutty flavor and texture)
- Plain Greek yogurt (a creamy, protein-rich base instead of mayo)
- Garlic powder (for aromatic depth)
- Onion powder (to complement the fresh onion)
- Dried dill (lends a fresh, herbaceous flavor)
- Salt and black pepper (season to your personal preference)
- Bright lemon zest (for a burst of citrus aroma)
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice (enhances overall brightness and tang)
- Tender Butterhead lettuce (or a similar soft-leaf lettuce) (for wrapping)
For precise ingredient quantities and detailed steps, refer to the full recipe card located at the bottom of this post!
To prepare, combine the shredded or cubed chicken meat, chopped apple, finely chopped broccoli, red onion, dried cherries, and toasted pecans in a medium-sized mixing bowl. In a separate small bowl, prepare the creamy dressing by stirring together the plain Greek yogurt with garlic powder, onion powder, dried dill, black pepper, lemon zest, and fresh lemon juice. Once both mixtures are ready, gently fold the yogurt dressing into the chicken and vegetable mixture until everything is well combined.
To assemble your delicious lettuce wraps, layer two butterhead lettuce leaves on top of each other to create a sturdy base. Spoon a generous amount of the prepared canned chicken salad into the center of each lettuce leaf, then fold and enjoy! This method provides a fresh, light, and flavorful way to enjoy your canned chicken.
Don’t forget the valuable broth! If you prepare this recipe, remember to save the chicken broth you drained earlier. It’s excellent for cooking grains like quinoa or rice, imparting extra flavor, or it can be used as a base for hearty soups. From one 50-ounce can of Sweet Sue’s whole chicken, you can expect to yield approximately 3-4 cups of flavorful broth and about 2-3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken meat, making it a surprisingly versatile product.
⏲ How Do You Cook Canned Whole Chicken? Beyond the Can
While canned whole chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat straight from the can, many prefer to enhance its flavor and texture through further preparation. The Sweet Sue chicken can provides specific directions for oven baking, which can help crisp the skin and warm the meat. Here’s a detailed look at their recommended method for baking canned whole chicken:
- Preparation: Begin by carefully removing the chicken from its can. It’s crucial to preserve the delicious broth that accompanies it; do not discard it.
- Baking: Place the whole chicken in an uncovered baking pan. Generously baste the chicken with some of the saved broth.
- Oven Temperature: Preheat your oven to a hot 475°F (246°C).
- Cooking Time: Bake the chicken for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. During this time, baste the chicken two or three times with the broth to keep it moist and infuse flavor.
- Making Gravy: To prepare a simple yet delicious gravy, brown two tablespoons of flour in a saucepan over a burner. Gradually whisk in one cup of the reserved chicken broth. Continue to heat and stir until the gravy thickens to your desired consistency.
- Chicken Soup Option: Alternatively, the leftover broth can be used to create a flavorful chicken soup. Simply add cooked rice, noodles, or dumplings to the heated broth for a comforting meal.
This baking method offers a way to improve the chicken’s texture, making it more appealing than serving it cold from the can. The high heat can help dry out some of the rubbery skin (though it won’t become truly crispy like a fresh roast) and warms the meat through, making it more palatable for those who prefer warm chicken dishes.
❓️ How Can I Make Canned Chicken Taste Better? Culinary Enhancements
The key to making canned chicken taste good lies in generous seasoning and serving it with complementary liquids or fats to combat its inherent dryness and blandness. Don’t be shy with spices, herbs, and flavorful sauces. Here are several effective ways to elevate your canned chicken into a delicious meal:
- Chicken Noodle Soup: Shred the chicken and add it to a classic chicken noodle soup. The broth and noodles will rehydrate and flavor the meat beautifully.
- Chicken and Dumpling Soup: Similar to noodle soup, adding the shredded chicken to a hearty dumpling soup ensures it absorbs rich flavors and moisture.
- Stuffed Peppers: Mix the shredded chicken with rice, vegetables, herbs, and cheese, then stuff into bell peppers and bake. The peppers provide moisture and flavor.
- Chicken à la King: Combine shredded chicken with a rich, creamy sauce, often made with mushrooms, bell peppers, and sherry, served over toast or rice. This adds significant moisture and richness.
- Salads: As demonstrated in our recipe, chicken salad is an excellent choice. Beyond lettuce wraps, use it in traditional chicken salad sandwiches, or as a protein boost for green salads with a vibrant vinaigrette.
- Creamed Chicken and Mushrooms: Sauté mushrooms, then add shredded chicken to a creamy sauce, perhaps with a touch of white wine. Serve over biscuits, mashed potatoes, or rice.
- Chicken Fricassee: While traditionally made with fresh chicken, a simplified version using canned chicken in a creamy, savory stew with vegetables can be comforting and flavorful.
- Tacos or Burritos: Season the shredded chicken heavily with taco seasoning, then use it as a filling for tacos, burritos, or quesadillas. The toppings and sauces will add all the necessary moisture.
- Curries or Stews: Incorporate the chicken into a mild curry or a vegetable-rich stew. The robust flavors and liquids of these dishes are perfect for canned chicken.
Experiment with your favorite spices, fresh herbs, and various cooking methods to find the best ways to integrate canned chicken into your diet. Remember, it’s a blank canvas ready for your culinary creativity!
🌡️ How Long Can Whole Chicken Stay Fresh? Storage Guidelines
Understanding the proper storage of canned whole chicken is crucial for both food safety and maintaining quality. Here’s a breakdown of how long you can expect it to remain fresh in various scenarios:
Room Temperature Storage (after opening or heating):
Once a can of whole chicken has been opened or the chicken has been heated, it becomes perishable. Cooked chicken and opened whole chicken cans are safe at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours. Beyond this timeframe, harmful bacteria can begin to multiply rapidly, making the food unsafe to eat.
Refrigerated Storage (after opening):
For chicken removed from an opened can or cooked chicken, transfer it to a clean, airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. It can safely be kept for up to 3-4 days. Always use your best judgment; if the chicken develops an off odor, appearance, or texture, it’s best to discard it.
Unopened Cans (Shelf Life):
Unopened cans of whole chicken are considered a non-perishable item and boast an impressively long shelf life. Technically, if stored correctly in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight and temperature fluctuations, these cans can remain safe to eat indefinitely. However, for optimal quality, freshness, and flavor, it’s always recommended to consume the product within the “best by” or “use by” date printed on the can. While safe beyond this date, there may be a noticeable loss of quality in terms of taste and texture.
🥶 Can You Freeze Canned Whole Chicken?
The question of freezing canned whole chicken often arises, especially for those looking to extend its usability even further:
You should not attempt to freeze unopened cans of whole chicken. The canning process already provides an extensive shelf-life, and freezing the sealed can can lead to several issues. The liquid inside the can will expand when frozen, which can potentially compromise the integrity of the can seal, leading to spoilage or even rupture. Furthermore, the texture of the chicken inside the can may degrade significantly upon thawing.
However, once the whole chicken has been removed from the can, deboned, and prepared (e.g., shredded or cubed), it can be frozen just like any regular cooked chicken. Place the prepared chicken in airtight freezer-safe bags or containers, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Properly frozen cooked chicken can maintain its quality for up to 2-6 months.
📋 Canned Whole Chicken Nutrition Facts
Understanding the nutritional profile of canned whole chicken is important for dietary planning. Here is the nutrition information for a single serving of Sweet Sue canned chicken, which is typically 2 ounces or 56 grams:
| Nutrition | Sweet Sue’s Canned Whole Chicken | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Calories | 90 | ||
| Total Fat | 7g | ||
| Saturated Fat | 2g | ||
| Trans Fat | 0g | ||
| Cholesterol | 35mg | ||
| Sodium | 150mg (6% DV) | ||
| Total Carbohydrate | 0g | ||
| Fiber | 0g | ||
| Total Sugars | 2g | ||
| Protein | 6g | ||
| Vitamin A | 0% DV | ||
| Vitamin C | 0% DV | Calcium | 4% DV |
| Iron | 0% DV |
It’s important to note that this nutritional breakdown is for a relatively small portion, roughly equivalent to ¼ cup of chicken meat. The can’s labeling indicates approximately 15 servings per can, which highlights how compact this single whole chicken is within its container. While it offers a good source of protein, consumers should be mindful of the sodium content, particularly if watching their intake.
FAQs About Canned Whole Chicken
Where Can I Buy Sweet Sue Canned Whole Chicken?
Finding Sweet Sue canned whole chicken can sometimes be a challenge. While some sources suggest its availability at major retailers like Walmart, my personal experience indicates it’s not a common shelf item in all locations. Your most reliable options for purchasing Sweet Sue’s canned whole chicken are often online marketplaces such as Amazon, where it is generally stocked. You might also find it through specialty food distributors or emergency preparedness supply stores.
What is the Price of Canned Whole Chicken?
The price of canned whole chicken can vary. At the time of this writing, a 50-ounce can of whole chicken, specifically Sweet Sue’s, was observed to be around $20.72 on Amazon, though this was noted as a sale price. My own purchase of a similar product was closer to $23.99. It’s important to remember that prices are subject to change based on retailer, promotions, and market demand. Compared to fresh chicken or even other forms of canned chicken, whole canned chicken tends to be a more expensive option per pound of meat.
Is Canned Whole Chicken Already Cooked?
Yes, canned whole chicken is fully cooked. The canning process involves heating the food to high temperatures under pressure, which effectively cooks and sterilizes the contents. This means that you do not have to cook canned chicken before eating it; it’s safe to consume straight from the can. However, from a culinary standpoint, I generally don’t recommend eating it directly without further preparation, as its flavor and texture can be significantly improved with seasoning and heating.
How Much Canned Chicken Meat Do You Get from a Whole Chicken in a Can?
The amount of meat obtained from a whole chicken in a can can vary, much like the meat yield from fresh chickens differs by size. However, one can of Sweet Sue whole chicken typically provides approximately 2-3 cups of usable chicken meat once deboned and shredded. It’s worth noting that the “whole chicken” inside the can is relatively small, often yielding less meat than what you would expect from a typical fresh or rotisserie chicken.
Should I Rinse Canned Chicken After Opening?
Yes, you absolutely can and often should rinse canned chicken, especially if you’re concerned about sodium intake. Just like with other canned goods, rinsing the chicken meat can help wash away some of the excess sodium from the packing liquid. Unlike raw chicken, which should not be rinsed due to the risk of spreading salmonella contamination, canned chicken is perfectly safe to rinse because it is already fully cooked and sterilized. Rinsing can also help improve its texture and remove any residual gelatinous bits.
👨🏾🍳 More Canned Whole Chicken Recipe Ideas
Beyond our delicious canned chicken salad, whole canned chicken can be a versatile ingredient in numerous other dishes. Here are some creative ways to use any leftover canned chicken or to inspire your next meal:
- Meal Prep Salads: Incorporate shredded canned chicken into various meal prep salads, combining it with different greens, vegetables, and dressings for quick and healthy lunches.
- Quick Stir-Fries: Add the pre-cooked chicken to a stir-fry during the final minutes of cooking. This adds protein without requiring extra cooking time for the chicken itself.
- Hearty Chicken Chili: Shred the chicken and add it to your favorite chili recipe, allowing it to soak up the rich, spicy flavors.
- Creamy Chicken Pot Pie: Use canned chicken as the protein base for a comforting pot pie, mixed with vegetables and a savory sauce under a flaky crust.
- Loaded Chicken Nachos: Season the shredded chicken and layer it over tortilla chips with cheese, salsa, jalapeños, and other toppings for a quick and satisfying snack or meal.
- Pulled Chicken Sandwiches: Toss the shredded chicken with barbecue sauce or buffalo sauce and serve on buns for easy “pulled chicken” sliders.
Canned Whole Chicken Salad (Sweet Sue Review & Recipe)
Summer Yule
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Ingredients
- 1 can canned whole chicken (50-ounce can)
For Whole Canned Chicken and Gravy:
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- cooked rice, noodles, or dumplings
For Whole Canned Chicken Salad:
- 1 cup apple, chopped small
- ½ cup broccoli florets, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened dried cherries, halved
- 2 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons pecans, chopped and toasted
- 5.3 ounces Greek yogurt (150 grams) plain, unsweetened, non-fat
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice, fresh squeezed
- ¼ teaspoon lemon zest
- 24 leaves butterhead lettuce (or similar lettuce)
Instructions
To Make Whole Canned Chicken and Gravy (Instructions on Sweet Sue Whole Canned Chicken Package):
- Preheat oven to 475°F (246°C).
- Remove the chicken from the can. Place in an uncovered pan, and baste with some of the broth.
- Bake at 475°F (246°C) for 10 to 15 minutes, basting 2-3 times while heating.
- To make gravy, brown two tablespoons flour on the stovetop, whisk in a cup of broth. Allow to thicken over the burner until desired consistency. Alternatively, chicken soup may be prepared by adding rice, cooked noodles or dumplings to the broth.
To Make Whole Canned Chicken Salad:
- Remove the chicken meat from the bones and skin. You need 2 cups of shredded boneless and skinless canned whole chicken meat for this recipe.
- Mix the chicken, apple, broccoli, onion, cherries, and pecans together in a medium-sized mixing bowl.
- Open the yogurt cup and stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, dill, black pepper, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Combine the chicken mixture with the yogurt mixture.
- To make each wrap, layer two butterhead leaves on top of each other. Put some canned chicken salad in the middle of each lettuce wrap, and enjoy!
Equipment
- Can Opener
- Knife
Notes
💭 Expert Tips from Dietitian Summer Yule
This is a level 1 recipe (may help support fat loss). Chicken (minus the skin) is a lean protein that can help your low calorie meals feel filling during weight loss. (There’s a reason the stereotypical fitness meal consists of chicken breast, rice and broccoli!)
Canned whole chicken is a convenient, ready-to-use food product. It is a great addition to a food stockpile for emergencies. It can also make life easier when prepping meals on busy weeknights.
Of course, a single food won’t make or break your health goals. It’s more important to look at what your meals and diet consistently look like over time.
You could make high calorie meals by serving canned chicken with a rich gravy. You can also make low calorie canned chicken meals. In these butterhead lettuce wraps, I used Greek yogurt in place of mayo to increase protein and lower calories and fat.
For a higher energy meal, wrap whole grain wraps around the lettuce. You can also add more pecans and dried cherries to the canned chicken salad. It’s not too difficult to modify the meals of different family members to meet everyone’s needs.
Nutrition information is for one serving of canned whole chicken (as listed on the Sweet Sue can). One serving of the canned chicken wraps (half the recipe) provides 381 calories, 22.9 grams net carbs, and 48.4 grams protein.
nutrition info disclaimer
All recipes on this website may or may not be appropriate for you, depending on your medical needs and personal preferences. Consult with a registered dietitian or your physician if you need help determining the dietary pattern that may be best for you.
The nutrition information is an estimate provided as a courtesy. It will differ depending on the specific brands and ingredients that you use. Calorie information on food labels may be inaccurate, so please don’t sweat the numbers too much.
“To taste” means to your preferences, which may have to be visual to follow food safety rules. Please don’t eat undercooked food x
Nutrition
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