How to Make Shredded Chicken (easy!!)

The step by step directions below show how to make delicious shredded chicken. I’ve included my favorite tips, several cooking methods, and the secret to quick shredding!

It can be cooked in the oven, crockpot, instant pot, or even on the stove. It’s always great to have ready to go for adding to recipes or even for making soups, salads, and sandwiches.

Make Shredded Chicken at Home

• Chicken is a low-fat, low-calorie, and low-carb protein that can be added to almost any main dish recipe.
• It’s quick and easy to make at home and costs less than buying it.
• It’s perfect for soups, salads, chicken casseroles, and more.
•  Change up the seasonings to change up the flavor.

Ingredients Needed for Shredded Chicken

CHICKEN (of course!): Boneless, skinless chicken breast is preferred as they have lots of meat and work well in most recipes. Boneless chicken thighs will work too.

If you have bone in chicken breasts (or split chicken breasts) remove the skin before baking and season the meat. Once cooked, remove the breast from the bone and shred as directed below.

SEASONINGS: This recipe makes an all purpose shredded chicken so we’ve keep the seasonings simple. This allows for the chicken to blend well in most recipes. Garlic powder, onion powder, and a dash of salt and pepper are flavorful and delicious.

VARIATIONS:

Swap up the seasonings with any of the following:

How to Make Shredded Chicken

1. Toss the chicken with a bit of olive oil and season.
2. Bake (in the recipe below) the seasoned chicken in a covered dish with a splash of water or broth.
3. Remove the chicken from the oven and shred per the directions below.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken:

1. Place ingredients in a slow cooker along with 1 cup of broth.

2. Cook on high for 2 ½ – 3 hours (or on low for 5-6 hours) or just until chicken reaches 165°F.

3. Using forks or a hand mixer, shred chicken per the directions below.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken (fresh or frozen):

These make great Instant Pot shredded chicken tacos too!

1. Place 1 cup of broth or water in the bottom of an instant pot.
2. Add the trivet and place seasoned chicken breasts on the trivet.
3. Press “Poultry” and cook for 15 minutes if frozen and 12 minutes if fresh (timing is for 6oz breasts. Larger/smaller may need more/less time).
4. Once done, release pressure and shred as directed below.

Other Ways to Cook Chicken for Shredding:

How to Shred Chicken

There are many methods for shredding chicken. The secret to shredding chicken quickly is a hand mixer (or stand mixer).

For finer shredded chicken: If you’d like a finer texture, the best way to shred chicken is with a mixer because it is both easy and fast. Place the warm chicken in a bowl and use a hand mixer (the same one you use for creaming butter for cookies) on low speed.

Shred the chicken with the mixer just until shredded (this goes really fast, do not over-shred). This also works in a stand mixer.

For chunky shredded chicken:  If you’d prefer thicker bits of shredded chicken, use two forks (like you would shred pulled pork) or break the chicken breasts apart with your hands.

Storage and Freezing

FRIDGE: Keep shredded chicken in the refrigerator in an airtight container and use it for meal prep throughout the week. It will stay fresh for 4-5 days.

FREEZER: Make an extra batch (or three) and freeze in individual zippered bags for quick and easy meals on the go. Chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months.

What to Do with Shredded Chicken

What’s your fave way to make Shredded Chicken? Leave us a comment below!