Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe
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A quick & easy Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe! If you want juicy pulled chicken, then this healthy slow cooker recipe is just for you!
This easy pulled chicken recipe is about to be a staple in your weekly meal plan because it is incredibly easy to make and so versatile! The chicken is a great base for soups, salads, sandwiches and so much more.
This is a great recipe to use for your weekly meal prep, with only 5 minutes of prep time the slow cooker takes care of the rest!
If you love your slow cooker as much as I do, check out this crockpot whole chicken or these Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
tyler’s tips for the best shredded chicken
Making shredded chicken in the crock pot is the ultimate set it and forget it approach to making deliciously flavorful and moist chicken.
Meal prep a double batch of crock pot shredded chicken on Sunday and add it to soups, salads, or freeze it for weeks to come.
Add your favorite flavors to the crockpot like barbecue sauce, soy sauce, buffalo sauce or any seasonings you like to enhance the flavor.
With this easy slow cooker shredded chicken recipe, you only need 4 ingredients, a crockpot, 5 minutes of prep time, and 3-4 hours of patiently waiting while the slow cooker does the rest of the work.
Ingredients
Substitutions
This shredded crockpot chicken recipe is pretty versatile – here are some of the ways you can customize it.
Seasoning: You can really use any seasonings on this chicken to fit your taste. We love to use our taco seasoning for easy shredded chicken tacos. We have also made it with Italian seasoning and it was so delicious!
Type of Chicken – While we recommend chicken breasts, you could definitely use thighs or tenders. If you use bone in chicken breasts, we do expect it would take a little longer to cook, so be sure to check the internal temp (165 degrees for chicken).
Broth- While the recipe calls for water, you can substitute any kind of broth in this recipe (chicken broth, veggie or beef broth, or crockpot bone broth will work).
Add Ins: you can add in extra seasoning or even salsa. This Salsa Verde Chicken is delicious!
Doubling the recipe – You can double this recipe, but we would expect that to add a little time to the cook time, so be sure to check the internal temp (165 degrees for chicken).
Can you slow cook chicken without liquid? No, you can’t slow cook chicken without liquid. If you cook chicken without liquid in the crockpot it will result in very dry chicken and it can actually cause the chicken to burn/stick to the crockpot.
Instructions
- To start, you will want to layer the base of your crockpot with the chicken breasts, ensuring that they are even and aren’t piled on top of each other (see photo). Then add your water and seasonings.
- Set your crockpot to high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. You will want to cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 degrees.
Once cooked, shred with forks or a standing mixer (directions below).
Use this easy crockpot shredded chicken in soups, stews, salads, or sandwiches! Seriously, this slow cooker shredded chicken is SO versatile!
Want more slow cooker recipes? Get our 40 best crock pot recipes in a printable ebook for less than $11!
How to Shred Chicken
Once it is cooked, you can easily shred your chicken with forks or with a mixer. If you let it cool you can also put on a pair of food grade gloves and shred with your hands as well!
With Forks: Simply shred the chicken by pulling it apart with two forks. It will be super tender.
With A Mixer: My favorite way to shred chicken is by using a standing mixer. I toss the cooked chicken into my KitchenAid Mixer with the paddle attachment and turn it on low-medium until it looks perfectly shredded. Super easy! You can also use a hand mixer using this method as well.
FAQ
We recommend chicken breasts and find it makes the best shredded chicken in the slow cooker, but you could definitely use thighs or tenders if you prefer. If you use bone in chicken breasts, we do expect it would take a little longer to cook, so be sure to check the internal temp (165 degrees for chicken).
It’s better to cook chicken on low in the crockpot. Chicken becomes much more tender when it is cooked low and slow in the crockpot. Cooking the chicken on high can lead to your chicken drying out.
Yes, you can follow this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken recipe.
Storage options
Storing: This chicken will last for 4 days in your refrigerator in an airtight container. We like to store it with the broth leftover from cooking to keep the chicken moist.
Freezing: I have frozen this shredded chicken in small bags or containers. When ready to defrost, simply take it out the night before and let it defrost in the refrigerator overnight or simply heat from frozen in the microwave or in a pan. The chicken should last 6 months in the freezer.
Reheating: If you are reheating from the fridge or freezer, you can reheat it in the microwave or on the stove top in a pan. Timing will vary depending on your microwave/stove, but cook until thoroughly warmed. I would recommend leaving juices to keep it moist.
How do you keep shredded chicken moist? The best way to keep shredded chicken moist is to store it with the excess juices it was cooked in or extra chicken broth. You can squeeze the excess liquid off when ready to eat or run it through a strainer.
Want more slow cooker recipes? Get our 40 best crock pot recipes in a printable ebook for less than $11!
Can you put frozen chicken breast in the crockpot?
No you can’t put frozen chicken breasts in the crockpot. Cooking chicken from frozen is a food safety issue. Your chicken could be cooked on the outside and raw/frozen on the inside resulting in bacteria/getting sick.
It’s best to thaw your chicken completely before adding it to your crockpot. To make it thaw quicker, put the chicken package in cold water and change the water every 20 minutes.
How to use shredded chicken breast
Here are some crockpot shredded chicken ideas for you! This chicken is so versatile, it really goes with anything!
- We love adding this chicken in soups, salads, or just plain on it’s own. It’s great for weekly meal prepping and serving with Crispy Smashed Potatoes and Roasted Asparagus.
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad or Taco Chicken Salad
- Lemon Chicken Soup
- Healthy Chicken Pot Pie Recipe
- Crockpot Chicken Noodle Soup
- Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Whole30 Greek Chicken Spaghetti Squash Bake
- Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole or Spaghetti Squash Boats
- We also have a dedicated blog post to Healthy Chicken Breasts Recipes!
Looking for other healthy slow cooker recipes? Check out this Chicken Stew Slow Cooker or these Healthy Crockpot Recipes!
Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- In your crockpot base, layer chicken breasts evenly. Try not to pile them on top of one another.
- Add water and sprinkle with salt/black pepper.
- Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours
- When chicken Is cooked to 165 degrees internal temp – shred with forks or a mixer.
- Use In soups, stews, salads or sandwiches!
There is just nothing negative to say about this recipe/method! I had to leave in for full 8 hours (quick as I could get home from work), but it is not in any way overcooked.
I followed directions exactly, as I always do for first time trying a new recipe. Next time I will try some reviewers’ suggestions, particularly using chicken stock and adding garlic. But it’s hard to imagine that it could get any better for its purpose!
Thank you!!
I followed this recipe the other day and it the easiest and simplest way I’ve ever done this. I appreciate the tips and notes you always include!
I’ve been using this recipe for well over a year, it’s my favorite way to make shredded chicken. I love to make a large batch at the beginning of the week and use it for meals throughout the week. I also love love love using the chicken for buffalo chicken!! It’s easy, reliable and provides so many options for meals.
Made this yesterday, it turned out so well! I used chicken broth instead of water and it came out juicy and flavorful. I’m so excited to have this in the freezer to pull out for easy lunches. Such a cost savings from spending $10/lb to get cooked shredded chicken at the grocery store!
So easy and fast!! I never realized how easy this could be!!!
So happy you liked it, Megan! Thanks!
This recipe is so easy and delicious!! I use it about once a week. The chicken is still nice and juicy after cooking unlike some others I’ve tried that dry it out! Thank you for making my life 10x easier!!!
So glad you like it, Katrina! Thank you!
This is the easiest and most consistent recipe for shredded chicken. Delicious in the crockpot, delicious in the instant pot when I forget to defrost chicken! Thank you!
So happy you like it, Kelsey! Thank you!
My dog refuses to eat unless I make her chicken. I don’t eat chicken, so I am always terrified to cook it. Plus, I hate touching it. This recipe is sooo perfect! She absolutely LOVED the shredded crock pot chicken in her doggy stew.
So glad you liked the recipe!! And that Liberty loved it 💙💙💙
I used this recipe all week! So good! I can’t believe I just tried shredded it in my kitchen aide for the first time. 2seconds and booom, you have protein for the week. I used it with salsa verde for taco bowls and crunch wraps. I made chicken salad for lunch with Greek yogurt, mustard, vinegar and relish. Tomorrow I’m going to stuff some snacking peppers with it in a buffalo sauce and some shredded cheddar and Greek yogurt. Thanks for the easy tips!
Isn’t the kitchen aid the best?! So happy you like the recipe!
Hands down best and easiest way to cook chicken out there. Love doing this with my Butcher Box chicken and then having chicken ready for a variety of meals throughout the week. Add some bbq sauce for pulled chicken sandwiches, eat plan on a salad, mix in with veggies for a quick dinner, options are endless!
So glad you like it!!
This has been a game changer for meal prep for the week for my family and I. So easy! And such a good idea! Chicken is moist and breaks apart so easy. Can use it in a variety of recipes and meals for the week. Love this recipe!
So glad you liked it, Vanessa! It is one of the easiest meal prep recipes ever!
Very yummy! Super easy My! My crockpot runs hot so I’ve been playing with the right water and time ratios but I finally got it! Super yummy! Definitely going in my recipe basket.
So glad it worked for you, Janay!
LOVE this easy crockpot chicken recipe! Cooked 3 large chicken breasts in my crockpot for about 4 hours on high and fork tender! Will be using some of this chicken for the healthy buffalo chicken dip, because DUH! And because it’s football Sunday 🙂 As a side note, I had leftover chicken stock so I used this instead of water as well as added 2 full garlic gloves to the crockpot for a little something.
Yum!! I mainly use this recipe just for making buffalo chicken dip! LOL! Glad you liked it!
I made this for dinner tonight and it came out so good! I used chicken stock instead of water. It was very juicy and is going to make great leftovers. I usually hate chicken breast because it’s so dry, so this is going to be my go-to recipe for quick higher protein/lower fat meal prep. The best part, it took basically no effort. A Whole30 dream.
I’m so glad you liked it, Amanda! It’s one of my favorite easy ways to prep protein.. so many ways you can use it!
I made this today and it was crazy easy and the chicken is so moist. This is definitely my new go-to way to make chicken. Thank you!
So happy you liked it, Robin! Thank you!