How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crock Pot
Learning how to make shredded chicken in the Crock Pot is a great way to have chicken ready for all kinds of great recipes!
Shredded chicken is a staple protein in our house and it works great for all kinds of meals, lunches, and even appetizers. There are so many great recipes you can make with a simple shredded chicken.
One of the best things I do for meal prep is making shredded chicken in the Crock Pot. I then freeze the chicken in about 1 pound packs so that they’re available whenever I need them for quick meals.
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This simple shredded chicken Crock Pot recipe is a great trick that you’ll love to use every single time that you make chicken! It’s super easy and then you use a hand mixer to shred chicken and before you know it you have shredded chicken ready for all kinds of meals.
Slow cooker chicken breast for shredding:
You can use chicken breasts for shredding but you can also use thighs or tenderloins. You’ll want to use a boneless cut of chicken for this method of how to make shredded chicken in the crock pot!
Slow cookers are great for making all kinds of chicken and for this shredded chicken hack you can use whatever boneless cuts of chicken you have on hand.
If you find a deal, stock up! It’s an easy way to keep lean protein on hand for whatever meals you feel like making all week long.
How long to cook chicken in crock pot to shred:
We’re going to talk about this more below but the main thing you have to keep in mind here is that chicken needs to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before it is safe to eat.
It’s always best to use a meat thermometer to check your chicken. If you use different cuts of chicken or if your chicken breasts are larger or smaller than the ones I used it may impact your overall cooking times.
Keep an eye on your chicken as you get close to the finish time and temp it in several places to be sure it’s all uniformly cooked and ready to be enjoyed safely.
Do I use a hand mixer to shred chicken?
Yes! Once the chicken is cooked to 165 F you are safe to shred it up. The easiest way to do this is to just drain off any excess juices that you don’t want to keep the with your shredded chicken and then use your hand mixer to shred chicken.
You can leave it right in the slow cooker and just use your hand mixer on a medium setting to quickly and easily shred your chicken in the Crockpot. Shredded chicken breast in the slow cooker is super simple to make and shred this way!
Be careful not to turn the mixer up too high or to shred it too far. Better to have it in larger chunks than to turn it all into mush! Go slowly and stop when the chicken has reached your desired level of shredded.
What do I need to make shredded chicken in the crock pot?
You will need a Crockpot, some chicken (I prefer to use boneless skinless breasts), and some chicken broth or water.
Add the water or stock based on the size of your Crockpot and how much chicken you are making. I usually add about a cup of liquid when I’m making mine. More juices will cook out of the chicken so you will end up with more liquid at the end!
Put the lid on your slow cooker and cook the chicken for 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high! Make sure to follow the recommendations above for checking the temperature and get your chicken to 165 F internal temperature before eating or serving.
When checking how long it takes to make shredded chicken in the Crockpot you’ll find it varies based on the cut of chicken you use as well. Tenderloins will take about 4-6 hours on low while boneless thighs will be very similar to the boneless breasts.
How to use shredded chicken:
Here are some great ways that you can use shredded chicken to make a quick meal. First off–we use it for tacos and other Mexican food favorites. The teens just pull out the taco fixings, and dinner is ready to go!
Add cooked chicken to any soup recipe that calls for chicken, like our Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup. Instead of adding raw chicken thighs, just add chicken straight from the fridge. Or add it as protein on top of a salad, like our Garden Quinoa Salad.
When you keep cooked, shredded chicken in the fridge, it makes other meals so much easier. This Mexican Chicken Casserole comes together quickly, even on a busy weeknight, when you already have the chicken on hand. That’s how I make our favorite Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole faster.
