Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is the easiest way to shred chicken at home. Just set it in your slow cooker or Crock Pot with a bit of broth and some spices for a few hours and it will shred into the juiciest, most tender shredded chicken ever!
OK I get it. Shredded chicken is not very glamorous.
There’s no frosting, no sprinkles, no chocolate chips, and certainly no sugar. Why are we even talking about this, again?
Because slow cooker shredded kitchen is a kitchen staple, and while it may be lacking in sugar, there’s a reason I want to share it with you today, and that’s because I’ve made this “recipe” no less than ten times in the past two weeks. Seriously.
I’ve been working on a handful of savory recipes — some personal dinnertime favorites that I have held back from sharing for so long — and many of them call for shredded chicken. Rather than insist that you buy and shred a rotisserie chicken or leave you wondering about the best way to shred your chicken at home, I thought it might be best if I just provide a recipe for this.
Don’t worry, this recipe is as short and sweet as they come, I promise.
How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Place chicken breast, chicken broth, salt, pepper, and spices in the basin of a crock pot.
- Cover and cook for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
- Remove chicken breast and use two forks to shred.
Can you overcook chicken in the slow cooker?
- Yes, it is possible! If the meat is cooked too long it could end up dry and not juicy and tender.
- The recommended times in my recipe are ideal for juicy shredded chicken, but if you use less chicken than the recipe calls for I would recommend checking it sooner. Alternatively, if you use frozen chicken or more chicken than the recipe calls for, you may need to add additional time.
I’ve used this shredded chicken to make homemade chicken pot pie, my buffalo chicken mac and cheese, and my white chicken chili (recipes coming soon!)!
Alright, I hope you don’t mind the brief break from the sugar. If you have any other questions about making shredded chicken, please leave them in the comments!
How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crock Pot
Crock Pot Shredded Chicken
How to make shredded chicken in your slow cooker.
Recipe from SugarSpunRun.com
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast* (1.4kg)
- 1 cup chicken broth (235ml)
- 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
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Combine all ingredients in the basin of your slow-cooker.
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Cover and cook on high for 3 hours or low for 6 hours.
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Chicken is finished when internal temperature has reached 155F (68C) and it can easily be shredded with a pair of forks. Remove chicken from crockpot and use two forks to easily pull apart and shred chicken.
Recipe Notes
*If your chicken breast is frozen it will need to cook longer -- you can test for doneness by trying to pull apart chicken and checking the center.
This recipe can be scaled to make more (or less) shredded chicken.
Cooked shredded chicken will keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. It may be frozen for several months.
debbie says
boneless or bone -in chicken breast?
Sam says
I used boneless/skinless and that’s what I’d recommend. I don’t think that bone-in would be a problem, though, just a bit more difficult to shred and you’d have to pick out the bones and pieces.
Anne says
Thank you for this post! I have a little that’s a picky eater and I bet she will eat this. Also love the whole blog. So many good recipes. I alway open and read your emails.
Sam says
I’m so glad it is helpful! Thank you so much for reading, Anne! I appreciate it! <3
Julie Bass says
Needed something for dinner so your email came at the perfect time. Just finished shredding it and the whole house smells amazing. Thanks for another great recipe!
Sam says
So glad to hear this! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you, Julie!! 🙂
Kathy says
Love this idea! Thank you!
Lynn says
Salted or unsalted chicken broth?
Sam says
Either would be fine. I used regular/not low sodium chicken broth
Pat says
Yummy and unusual Sam
About 2/3 of the way into cooking this chicken, add additional broth if needed and sauerkraut. Cook together until the chicken is soft enough to shred and then spooned the chicken, kraut and broth over mashed potatoes. You will now have to begin calling this sweetkraut.
I love it and so do people who have avoided kraut in the past. Hugs, Pat
Sam says
This actually sounds really good! Looking forward to trying it out, thanks Pat!! <3
Elizabeth says
Such an easy to make recipe. I think this is perfect as additional ingredient for salads or spreads. Thanks for sharing!