Recipes for Canning Chicken (3 delicious… and quick recipes!)

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Hola! All my homestead enthusiasts!

Looking for recipes for canning chicken?

Then, you’ll find this post quite useful as I’m going to share some of the most delicious and quick recipes with canned chicken!

But, before that. I’ll also explain to you the pressure canning method I follow step by step.

You might already know that my homestead is filled with chickens as the easiest livestock. I raise them both for the eggs and meat.

And when there’s a huge production, I need to preserve the excess meat for the next few months.

You can also make sure that your pantry is never out of stock as you follow the pressure canning recipe.

And, no matter the season or production, you can always grace your dining table with these 3 delicacies that I’m also going to share.

So, without any delay, let’s dive into the best recipes for canning chicken!

How to Can Chicken Step-By-Step

Canning chicken is a simple method but it requires a few tools. A pressure canner, mason jars, or glass containers with sealable lids and a butter knife are the tools that you need to have. Once you arrange all such equipment, here are the steps to follow:

1.    Choose the Chicken Pieces

You can preserve both boneless and in-bone chicken in mason jars. Boneless thigh pieces are the best for canning but you can also choose in-bone or boneless thigh pieces.

2.    Choose the Method

There are two types of canning methods: hot pack and raw pack. In the hot pack, you need to cook the chicken pieces slightly before canning and in the raw pack method, preserving raw chicken is also possible. But, I’ll recommend the hot pack method because it’s much more easier and safer.

3.    Heat the Pressure Canner

Once you’ve freshly cleaned and half-boiled the chicken pieces, it’s time to heat the pressure canner. You need to add 7-8 inches of water in your pressure canner and keep the flame low until the water starts to boil.

4.    Packing the Chicken

Clean the mason jars and fill them with chicken, broth and salt. Adding salt is optional because it depends on whether you want the chicken bland or flavorful. Then, you need to use a butter knife to remove the air bubbles on top. Then, sealing the lids will make your mason jars ready for the next step.

5.    Pressure Canning the Chicken

This is the final step in which you complete the preservation method. If you are using boneless chicken pieces, process the cans in the pressure canner for at least 65 minutes. For in-bone chicken, the processing time would be 75 minutes. Once done, you can keep the pressure-canned chicken in the refrigerator safely.

Can cooked chicken be canned?

Yes, cooked chickens can be canned and preserved for months without any worry.

Canned chicken goes through the process of cooking and then following canning methods to achieve the best results. Pressure canning is the most common method that you can try at home.

Does chicken need to be cooked before canning?

No, it does not, but cooking chicken before canning is the most usual method that homesteaders follow.

It’s the best way of preserving chicken safety in a can. But, there’s also a canning method named the raw pack method, in which raw chicken can be preserved in cans.

How long will home-canned chicken last?

According to experts, home-canned chickens can last for 2-5 years provided the cans are properly sealed and the canning method goes right. But, consuming the canned chicken within a few months or a year will help you get the nutritional value and accurate taste.

I’ll answer more such questions below but now, I’ll share 3 awesome recipes for canning chicken that are super easy and delicious!

3 Canning Chicken Recipes

There are tons of options when it comes to preparing satiating meals with canned chicken. But, I’ve handpicked the three most popular and versatile dishes cherished by my entire family.

Recipe # 1

Recipe # 2

Recipe # 3

So, try these 3 recipes for canning chicken and I’m sure you’ll enjoy them!

How does chicken not go bad in a can?

Foods usually spoil due to the growth of bacteria destroying their shelf life. Canning is a method that follows sterilization and vacuum sealing of the can, which prevents the bacteria from getting inside. This way, chicken doesn’t go bad in the can for an extended period.

Is Canned Chicken Safe?

If you follow the above canning recipe exactly the way I suggested, there should be no worry regarding the safety of the food.

But, make sure you have a pressure canner for canning chickens because that’s the safest method for meat.

For acidic foods like some vegetables and fruits, water bath canning or pickling are ideal methods but not with chicken.

Can you use the liquid in canned chicken?

Yes, you can use the liquid in canned chicken in any recipe you want. The liquid contains a lot of flavors and maybe some portion of chicken fat.

The best way to use this liquid would be as chicken broth. So, you can use it in the chicken spaghetti recipe I’ve shared above.

Do you have to add salt when canning chicken?

As I’ve mentioned above, it’s totally optional. Salt adds flavor to the chicken and keeps the texture moist. But, if you’re following a certain diet or you don’t want to add salt, you can do that as well.

The above recipes for canning chicken will turn out well both with or without adding salt during preservation.

What method is not recommended for canning?

For home canning, I suggest you avoid the preservation method called open kettle.

This method lets you use any hot food without the need for sterilization or vacuum sealing. This method isn’t applicable for canning chicken because there’s a high chance of bacteria attack.

How do you cut a chicken for canning?

For boneless chicken, you can cut them into pieces of cubes so that the maximum amount fits into the jar easily.

For in-bone chicken, you can cut at the joints so that the pieces easily fit into the containers.

Why is canned chicken okay?

Canned chicken is okay because it preserves its nutritional value to a huge extent.

Though the taste might not be as good as fresh meat, the health quotient will be fulfilled by it, making it no different than fresh meat.

Is it good to eat canned chicken?

Yes, of course! Chicken contains a high amount of protein, vitamins, and minerals like iron and zinc. It’s a highly nutritious food for the non-vegetarians.

Since canned chicken contains the maximum amount of these elements, it’s a quite healthy option for anyone.

Can you eat 2-year-old canned chicken?

Yes, you can eat 2-year-old canned chicken if you’ve canned it properly.

You need to check whether there’s any mold grown inside the jar or whether there’s any foul smell coming from the chicken. If the jar is properly sealed and there’s no sign of bacteria growth, it’s safe to consume the meat.

Why is my canned chicken pink?

Canned chicken might look pink right after opening the sealed jar. That’s because, inside the sealed jar, there’s a lack of oxygen, which turns the color of the meat into pink.

You may notice that the color is turning pale after 15-20 minutes of opening the jar. No need to worry as it’s absolutely safe.

Does canned chicken need to be drained?

You can drain the chicken and use it in some recipes while adding the liquid as chicken broth.

The liquid contains water and condiments (if any), which get infused with the flavor of the chicken and some portion of chicken fat. No need to discard it because it makes excellent chicken broth.

What canned food is best for survival?

Chicken, eggs, kidney beans, and different types of vegetables such as carrots, corn, potatoes, mushrooms, peas, and cucumbers are great for survival.

But, once you open the lid of any jar, make sure you finish the entire stalk within 3-5 days. Otherwise, the food can be contaminated and won’t be safe for consumption.

What foods Cannot be canned?

Foods that can’t be canned are dairy products such as milk, butter, cream, or curd.

Corn starch, coconut milk, and flour are also some thickeners that you can’t pressure can and preserve. That’s because these foods are quite low in acidity, which can enhance the chances of contamination.

Conclusion

So, just go ahead and preserve all the excess meat production in your homestead following the chicken canning recipe.

And once you’re successful, try the above recipes for canning chicken and let me know how it went.

I’m sure you’re going to love these recipes!

Below is a Pinterest friendly photo…. so you can pin it to your Homestead Lifestyle Board!!