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Make perfectly shredded chicken every time in the slow cooker! It is ready to use in all kinds of favorite recipes including soups, salads, wraps and tacos.
I love to keep 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.
I like to shred my chicken in bulk and then freeze it. My favorite way to make it is in the slow cooker. It is easy to do and it keeps the chicken moist.
How to Make Shredded Chicken in the CrockPot
- Place chicken breasts into the slow cooker with some salt and pepper.
- Pour in 1/2 cup of water. If your chicken is frozen you won’t need the water.
- 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 and then remove it from the slow cooker onto a cookie sheet or cutting board.
- Use two forks shred the chicken.
How 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.
How Much Shredded Chicken is One Chicken Breast?
Depending on the size of your chicken breast, you will get about
2 C of chicken per chicken breast.
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Check out some of my favorite recipes that use shredded chicken:
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- Chicken Breasts I do 5-6 at a time
- salt and pepper
- 1/4-1/2 C water
Instructions
- Lightly salt and pepper chicken breasts
- Place in chicken and water into slow cooker
- Cook on low for about 4 hours or until chicken is cooked through and shreddable
- Do not over cook
- Remove from slow cooker and shred with two forks
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!