Crockpot shredded chicken uses a handful of ingredients to make tender, flavorful chicken that can be used in a variety of recipes. This seasoned chicken makes perfect tacos, sandwiches, chicken salad and more.
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Chicken is a lean protein you'll find in kitchens across the world. This mildly-flavored protein is incredibly versatile, perfect for everything from chicken pot pie to chicken burrito bowls and everything in between. This crockpot shredded chicken is the perfect example of that because you can make everything from tacos to sandwiches with it.
Crockpot cooking is one of the easiest and best ways to cook chicken. The slow cooking time allows the chicken to cook evenly while staying moist and tender, and the long cooking time ensures the chicken absorbs any flavors added to it. It's the perfect combination of ease and flavor.
This recipe uses a few simple spices to deliver the perfect amount of flavor while also delivering super tender and juicy chicken each and every time.
Why You'll Love This Crockpot Shredded Chicken
- Convenient: Just add all your ingredients to the crockpot and let it do the rest.
- Versatile: You can use this chicken in tacos, burritos, quesadillas, wraps, pasta dishes, and on sandwiches. And that's just the beginning.
- Kid-Friendly: This recipe uses mild spices like Italian seasoning, so there's nothing in it that will have the kids running for the hills.
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch of this chicken and freeze it for later use in other recipes.
Ingredients
You'll only need a few basic ingredients to make this easy recipe, and you can find them all at your local grocery store.
All the ingredients you need for the recipe are listed here, but you can find their exact amounts in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast - Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are a lean source of protein that get incredibly tender in the slow cooker, making them perfect for shredding.
- Low Sodium Chicken Broth - Broth adds moisture to the chicken as it cooks.
- Seasoning - A blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and Italian seasoning makes this shredded chicken as flavorful as it is tender.
How To Make Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Making this chicken is a straightforward process that anyone can do. Just add everything to the slow cooker and let it do its job. That's all there is to it.
The recipe highlights are listed here, but you can find the exact instructions in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Prep the Chicken: Trim off any excess fat and pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Add the Ingredients: Add the chicken to the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Then, add the broth followed by the dry seasoning.
- Cook: Cook until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
- Shred: Shred the chicken while still hot but safe to handle. Then, mix it with the juice in the crockpot and enjoy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use broth or another liquid to ensure your chicken stays moist and juicy while it cooks in a crockpot.
Yes. Crockpots are designed to cook raw meat of all kinds. The low temperature combined with the long cooking time ensures tender, juicy meat that's free of bacteria and safe to eat.
Frozen chicken can be used in this recipe. Remember, cooking chicken from frozen will increase the time needed to thoroughly cook the chicken.
To shred chicken, use two forks or shredding claws to pull the cooked chicken apart by pulling the forks or claws in opposite directions. Remember, it's easier to shred hot meat than cold, so shred your chicken as soon as it's safe to do so.
Water can be used in place of broth or stock, however, this results in a much milder flavor.
Serve With
Shredded chicken is an incredibly versatile recipe that can be used in a variety of dishes. Try it in:
Storage
Refrigerate as soon as it's cool enough to do so. This ensures maximum flavor, shelf life, and safety.
To reheat the chicken, place it in a saucepan with a bit of broth and cook over medium-low heat until heated through.
Refrigerator: Store for up to three days in an air-tight container.
Freezer: Store for up to three months in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag with as much air removed as possible. Defrost overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Storing: Once the chicken is fully cooled, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to five days.
Freezing: Place leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag and freeze for up to three months. When you're ready to use it, thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before reheating and serving.
More Crock Pot Chicken Recipes
- Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings
- Crock Pot Dr. Pepper Chicken
- Crock Pot Chicken and Broccoli
- Crock Pot Marry Me Chicken
- Crock Pot Pulled BBQ Chicken
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Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 pounds)
- ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of a 6-quart slow cooker. Pour chicken broth over the top and add in seasonings.
- Cover and cook on high for 2½ - 3½ hours or low for 4 - 5 hours or until the chicken reaches 165 ° F internal temperature.
- Remove chicken and shred with two forks. For extra flavor, you can add the chicken back into the broth and mix it together.
Notes
Nutrition
*Nutrition information is an estimate. It may vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact ingredient numbers, I recommend calculating them with your preferred nutrition calculator.
Amy says
This simple recipe makes flavorful and moist shredded chicken. It has become my new favorite thing to pack for lunches. We put it in a tortilla with a little shredded cheese and lettuce. It is so easy and so much healthier than a deli meat and cheese sandwich!
Ryan Allen says
I am so glad you enjoy it. It is one of my favorite recipes.