13 Freezable Chicken Recipes to Reheat When You're Short on Time

Salsa Verde Pulled Chicken
Photo: Brie Passano

Between kids, work, and everything else, getting dinner on the table can be a struggle. That's why we love to stock up on chicken recipes that freeze well. They're healthy, hearty, and easy to heat when you're short on time. Some are cooked before freezing, then reheated, others you freeze uncooked, then thaw and bake. Either way, stock up on our favorite freezable chicken recipes.

01 of 13

Chicken in Avocado-Buttermilk Marinade

chicken avocado-buttermilk marinade
Jason Donnelly

Buttermilk marinades work moisture-infusing miracles on chicken, and when you blend in buttery avocado, zesty lime peel, and fiery jalapeños, things get extra tasty. Pour the marinade over chicken thighs, bag them, and pop this freezable chicken dish in the freezer for up to four months.

02 of 13

Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli

Parmesan Chicken and Broccoli
Peter Krumhardt

This easy freezer chicken and rice casserole brims with flavor, thanks to Parmesan cheese. Broccoli and red pepper are colorful, healthy additions. It keeps in the freezer up to one month.

03 of 13

Make-Ahead Southern Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Green Grape Relish

three open-faced Southern Pulled Chicken Sandwiches with Grape Relish
Blaine Moats

Out of all the chicken recipes suitable for freezing, super-saucy pulled chicken is definitely a best-loved option. We slow-cooked chicken thighs with onions and a jazzed-up barbecue sauce for ultimate Southern-style flavor. Just whip up a quick, fruity relish, grab the hamburger buns, and you're ready to serve.

04 of 13

Pad Thai Chicken Burritos

Pad Thai Chicken Burritos
Karla Conrad

Fusion cuisine direct from your freezer? Believe it. This chicken recipe combines the handheld convenience of Mexican burritos with the sweet, salty, and fiery crunch of chicken pad Thai. Keep them in your freezer up to a month—if you don't reheat them sooner.

05 of 13

Salsa Verde Pulled Chicken

Salsa Verde Pulled Chicken
Brie Passano

This freezable chicken recipe uses salsa verde-spiced pulled chicken to make 16 tacos, so don't feel guilty about going back for seconds. Store the cooked chicken in freezer containers up to four months, then simply assemble the thawed chicken in tacos at serving time.

Buy It: Cuisinart Programmable Slow Cooker ($60 Target)

06 of 13

Chicken-Vegetable Mac and Cheese

Chicken-Vegetable Mac and Cheese
Andy Lyons

Broccoli, peppers, mushrooms, chicken, and two types of cheese pump up this freezable chicken meal mac and cheese. This easy meal or side dish can be stored in your freezer up to four months.

07 of 13

Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken Bake

Prosciutto-Stuffed Chicken Bake
Blaine Moats

This isn't your ordinary freezer chicken and rice casserole. A luscious sauce flavors juicy stuffed chicken breasts and asparagus on a bed of savory wild rice, putting this elegant, bake in a league of its own.

08 of 13

Spicy Chicken Pot Stickers with Ginger and Green Onion Dipping Sauce

Spicy Chicken Pot Stickers with Ginger and Green Onion Dipping Sauce
Blaine Moats

Instead of calling for takeout, reach for these chicken pot stickers. The tasty ginger sauce might have you dipping other appetizers into it (like eggrolls).

09 of 13

Gingered Chicken Meatball Soup with Brown Rice and Basil

Gingered Chicken Meatball Soup
Jason Donnelly

Keep this soup on hand for winter cases of the sniffles. We infused the tender chicken meatballs with flavor, courtesy of garlic, ginger, and green onions, and jazzed up the broth with crushed red pepper and soy sauce. To freeze, cool the soup and transfer it into freezer containers. It'll keep for up to two months.

10 of 13

Thai-Style Chicken

Thai Chicken
Jason Donnelly

A frozen chicken meal that goes from freezer to table in 20 minutes flat? Yes, please. Enjoy the snow peas, bell peppers, sliced carrots, and chicken in a coconut and peanut sauce. To complete the meal, pile it all onto mixed greens or flatbread, depending on your level of hunger.

11 of 13

Make-Ahead Chicken-Spinach Calzones

Make-Ahead Chicken-Spinach Calzones
Blaine Moats

Freezable chicken recipes aren't limited to casseroles—they can also be golden calzones. What makes these cheesy, chicken-stuffed pockets such a breeze to assemble? Refrigerated pizza dough. Thaw the calzones overnight, then bake them for 12 minutes, and they're ready to eat.

12 of 13

Tandoori-Spiced Chicken and Rice Bake

Tandoori-Spiced Chicken and Rice Bake
Blaine Moats

Indian-spiced chicken makes a fantastic freezable meal. The spice blend maximizes the flavor of this chicken and rice casserole studded with vegetables. Before freezing, cover the casserole tightly with foil. It'll stay spicy and delicious up to three months.

13 of 13

Chicken and Green Chile Tamales

Chicken and Green Chili Tamales
Jacob Fox

A soft, spicy chicken tamale that's available whenever you want one might sound too good to be true. But as it turns out, tamales are one of the best freezable meals. Made with masa harina and green salsa-spiked chicken, these tamales freeze well for up to a month, and are guaranteed to satisfy any cravings for Mexican food.

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