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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
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Facts:
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Anita OlveraBueno says
can i put in slow cooker frozen?
Leigh Anne says
Sure, your cooking time may just be a little longer.
Molly says
I just put some chicken in my crockpot and I’m excited to have shredded chicken on hand for other recipes! I did notice that the recipe has water listed as an Ingredient but does not mention putting the water into the crockpot in the Instructions. Thanks for another practical cooking tip!
Leigh Anne says
Molly, Good catch – I updated the recipe to show when to put the water in. Thanks
Abby says
Hi,
Thanks for this tip. I love this idea. How long can you keep the chicken in the freezer for?
Leigh Anne says
As long as you have it airtight it should be fine for 2-3 months.
Cliff says
How long does chicken last if you don’t freeze it after?
Leigh Anne says
It will keep in the fridge for up to 4-5 days
Rebecka says
Could I do 2 hours on high?