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Make perfect slow cooker shredded chicken every time in the crock pot! It is ready to use in all kinds of favorite recipes including soups, salads, wraps and tacos.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe!
I love to keep slow cooker shredded chicken on hand. It can be used so many ways, on top of a salad, in a soup, on pasta, in a casserole, rolled up in a tortilla and lots of other ways. If you have chicken on hand you always have something for dinner.
Cooking chicken in the slow cooker gives it a nice tender texture. The process is so easy and the flavor is great too. And it is easy to customize the flavor of your chicken by adding more seasoning. Add in taco seasoning for a Mexican shredded chicken or add in oregano, basil and or Italian seasoning to use the chicken in Italian dishes such as pasta or on pizza.
Ingredients Needed
- Chicken Breasts. I use boneless skinless chicken breasts. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
- Water or Chicken Broth
- Kosher Salt and Black Pepper. You can also use your favorite seasoning salt or any combination of seasonings you prefer.
How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Place chicken into the crock pot with some salt and pepper or desired seasoning.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of water or chicken broth. If your chicken is frozen you won’t need the liquid.
- Cook on low for four hours. It may take longer if frozen. Do not overcook the chicken, the texture changes when it is overcooked.
- Cook just until it is tender enough to shred (3-4 hours on low or 2-3 hours on high) and then remove it from the slow cooker onto a cookie sheet or cutting board.
- Use two forks shred the chicken. Return the chicken to the leftover liquid to absorb some of the juices.
Tips from leigh Anne
- Use other seasonings in addition to the salt and pepper to give the chicken even more flavor. Some of my favorites are paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, onion powder, or taco seasoning to use chicken in your favorite Mexican recipes.
- Another option is to add a jar of salsa in with the chicken while it is cooking for a Mexican shredded chicken.
- To easily shred the chicken you can use two forks and pull the chicken apart or place the chicken in a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment shred the chicken. My favorite way is to use two forks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much shredded chicken is one chicken breast?
Depending on the size of your chicken breast, you will get about 2 cups of chicken per chicken breast.
What is the best way to store shredded chicken?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer. I usually put it into two cup servings sizes for our reduced size family and freeze it that way. It will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Can I make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot?
You can, just follow the directions in this post.
My chicken is tough and dried out?
If this happens, you have cooked it too long. Cook it just until it is cooked through, tender and comes apart easily when shredding.
Pair This With:
Use the shredded chicken in:
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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts skinless, boneless. I do 5-6 at a time
- salt and pepper
- 1/4-1/2 cup water
Instructions
- Lightly salt and pepper chicken breasts
- Place in chicken and water into slow cooker. Add lid.
- Cook for 2-3 hours on high or 3-4 hours on low or until chicken is cooked through and pulls apart easily (Will vary, depending on the number of chicken breasts you are using.
- Do not over cook or they will e tough. Cook just until they shred easily.
- Remove from slow cooker and shred with two forks
Tips & Notes:
- Use other seasonings in addition to the salt and pepper to give the chicken even more flavor. Some of my favorites are paprika, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, onion powder, or taco seasoning to use chicken in your favorite Mexican recipes.
- Another option is to add a jar of salsa in with the chicken while it is cooking for a Mexican shredded chicken.
- To easily shred the chicken you can use two forks and pull the chicken apart or place the chicken in a stand mixer and using the paddle attachment shred the chicken.
Nutrition Facts:
Kris says
Can I use frozen chicken or would fresh chicken be better??
Leigh Anne says
You can totally use frozen chicken.
Nikki says
How would you store this in the freezer?
Leigh Anne says
In any type of freezer container or freezer zip loc bag
Donna Hovis says
Can I do this overnight and let it go to warm or should I take out immediately, after 4 hours?
Leigh Anne says
Donna, I wouldn’t do it overnight. I find that chicken gets tough if it is cooked too long.
Marm says
I’m definitely going to try this. I love having things on hand for the basis of meals.Thanks for the idea.
Shelley says
I use my Kitchenaid with the paddle. It will shred the chicken in less than 3 minutes. Great for large batches or people with arthritis in their hands.
Leigh Anne says
Shelley – that is a great idea – will have to give it a try!