Shredded chicken is a staple ingredient in many recipes, from enchiladas and chicken soup to tacos and everything in between. While it’s easy to buy pre-shredded chicken, it can be more cost-effective to shred it yourself. In this post, we’ll go over several methods for cooking your chicken and then easily shredding boneless, skinless chicken breasts and thighs.
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Cooking the Chicken
Before we get into the different methods for shredding chicken, let’s first discuss how to cook the chicken.
You can absolutely cook a whole roasted chicken. But if you are trying to save time it is better to cook chicken pieces; boneless skinless breasts and boneless thighs specifically.
However our FAVORITE way to save time and get amazing shredded chicken is buying a rotisserie chicken (at Costco) and shredding up the warm meat for easy meal prep all week!
Baked Chicken Breast & Thighs
Baking chicken breasts is one of the easiest and most reliable methods for cooking boneless, skinless chicken. To do this, preheat your oven to 375°F. Drizzle a little olive oil or canola oil over the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like.
Place the chicken breasts and thighs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (breast) and 170°F (thighs).
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.
Poached Chicken Breast
Poaching chicken breasts is another great method for cooked chicken that doesn’t have additional flavor. Great for chicken salad!
Cover the chicken with cool water or broth by about an inch. Place over medium heat bring the water to a light simmer, not a full boil.
Once it simmers turn the heat to LOW and cook the chicken in the hot liquid for about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the chicken sit for 5 minutes in the warm water.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Using a slow cooker or crock pot is a great way to cook chicken for shredding, especially if you’re planning to use it for meal prep.
To do this, place the chicken breasts and/or thighs in the slow cooker and add enough chicken broth to cover the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.
Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
If you’re short on time, using an Instant Pot is a great option for cooking chicken for shredding.
To do this, place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot and add enough chicken broth to cover the chicken. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes, then do a 6 minute natural release.
If you want to cook a whole chicken in the Instant Pot follow the instructions over at this recipe for Instant Pot Rotisserie Chicken.
Finish with a quick release of the pressure. Then remove the chicken from the Instant Pot and let it rest 5 minutes before shredding.
Shredding the Chicken
Now that you have cooked chicken, it’s time to shred it. Here are several methods for shredding chicken:
Stand Mixer Method
Using a stand mixer to shred chicken is one of the easiest methods. It’s my preferred method for shredding chicken, ALWAYS!
One Pro Tip is to make sure the chicken is hot or warm or this method will not work!
To do this, place the cooked chicken breasts in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on to low speed and let it run for 20-30 seconds, or until the chicken is shredded to your desired consistency.
Hand Mixer Method
Using a hand mixer is another easy method for shredding chicken. Just like the stand mixer, make sure the chicken is warm or hot.
Then place the cooked chicken breasts in a bowl and use a hand mixer on low speed to shred the chicken. This method is best for small batches of chicken.
Fork Method
Using two forks to shred chicken is the most common method. This works best with super tender chicken, like a rotisserie chicken.
To do this, place the cooked chicken breasts on a rimmed baking sheet (it helps catch the juices). Use two forks to pull the chicken apart into small shreds.
This method takes a bit longer than using a mixer, but it’s a good option if you don’t have a mixer.
Storing and Freezing Shredded Chicken
Once the chicken is shredded, let it cool for 15-20 minutes before packaging it up.
You can store it in the refrigerator in an air tight container for up to 5 days.
To keep it longer pop it in a freezer safe baggie or container. Freeze safely for up to 3 months. Make sure you date the container it is frozen in!
Using Your Shredded Chicken
Shredded chicken is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, making meal prep a breeze. One of the most popular ways to use shredded chicken is in salads, such as chicken salad or a taco salad.
It can also be used in sandwiches and soups, on pizzas, wraps, and enchiladas.
Here are some other great chicken recipes that call for shredded cooked chicken:
- Creamy Chicken Poblano Soup
- Creamy Chicken and Dumplings
- BBQ Chicken Sliders
- Deluxe Chicken Tetrazzini
- Homemade Pot Pie (swap chicken for the turkey)
- Creamy Chicken and Noodles
- Buffalo Chicken Nachos
- Baked Artichoke Chicken Salad
- Creamy Chicken Tacos
- Fuji Apple Chicken Salad
- Shredded Chicken Stir Fry
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Shredded Chicken Recipe – cooking and shredding
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts - can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs or a whole fryer chicken, depending on the method you choose.
Optional Ingredients Depending on Cooking Method
- olive oil
- kosher salt and black pepper
Instructions
Cooking Your Chicken – choose one method
- OVEN: preheat your oven to 375°F. Drizzle a little olive oil or canola oil over the chicken. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and any other seasonings you like. Place the chicken breasts and/or thighs on a rimmed baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (breast) and 170°F (thighs). Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.
- POACHED: Poaching chicken breasts is another great method for cooked chicken that doesn't have additional flavor. Great for chicken salad! Cover the chicken with cool water or broth by about an inch. Place over medium heat bring the water to a light simmer, not a full boil.Once it simmers turn the heat to LOW and cook the chicken in the hot liquid for about 10 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and let the chicken sit for 5 minutes in the warm water.Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.
- SLOW COOKER: Place the chicken breasts and/or thighs in the slow cooker and add enough chicken broth to cover the chicken. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the slow cooker and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before shredding.
- INSTANT POT: If you're short on time, using an Instant Pot is a great option for cooking chicken for shredding. Place the chicken breasts in the Instant Pot and add enough chicken broth to cover the chicken. Cook on high pressure for 7 minutes, then do a 6 minute natural release.
Shredding Chicken
- With any of these methods the chicken will be easier to shred if it is warm or hot.
- STAND MIXER METHOD: This is my preferred method for shredding chicken, ALWAYS! Pro Tip: make sure the chicken is hot or warm or this method will not work! Place the cooked chicken breasts in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Turn the mixer on to low speed and let it run for 20-30 seconds, or until the chicken is shredded to your desired consistency.
- HAND MIXER METHOD: Just like the stand mixer, make sure the chicken is warm or hot. Then place the cooked chicken breasts in a bowl and use a hand mixer on low speed to shred the chicken. This method is best for small batches of chicken.
- FORK METHOD: Using two forks to shred chicken is the most common method. This method works best with super tender chicken, like rotisserie chicken.To do this, place the cooked chicken breasts on a rimmed baking sheet (it helps catch the juices). Use two forks to pull the chicken apart into small shreds. This method takes a bit longer than using a mixer, but it's a good option if you don't have a mixer.
Storing Shredded Chicken
- Shredded chicken can be kept in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 5 days.For longer storage keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to label your storage container so you know when you need to use it. Pro Tip: freeze the shredded chicken in 2 cup portions so you don't have to thaw the whole batch at once.
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