Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

A simple slow cooker shredded chicken recipe that results in tender shredded chicken that you can use in a wide variety of recipes from classic chicken salad to bbq chicken pizza and more!

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

This slow cooker shredded chicken recipe is perfect for making easy shredded chicken that’s tender and moist and can be used in a wide variety of recipes from salads, to soups, and tacos. It comes together with just two ingredients, almost no prep, and a little bit of patience.

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Are you looking for easy low-effort ways to make healthy meals throughout the week? Well let me introduce you to the beauty of slow cooker shredded chicken.

It’s a super simple recipe that makes an incredibly healthy and versatile protein option that you can add to meals all week long.

Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or just looking for a healthy high-protein ingredient to use in a variety of meals, this recipe makes it simple and easy to make shredded chicken. 

Imagine it’s time for lunch, you’re feeling a bit unprepared but see you have a couple of ingredients to throw together a salad. A perfect opportunity for shredded chicken!

Or you want to make a veggie soup for dinner with all the leftovers sitting in your veggie drawer. Another perfect opportunity for shredded chicken!

You can even freeze leftovers into single portions that you can add straight into meals as you need them.

This is exactly why we come back to this slow cooker shredded chicken recipe again and again.

Why You’ll Love Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Whether you love to meal prep each week or put together meals on the fly, having a versatile protein option on hand makes eating healthy much easier. 

This recipe is incredibly simple to make and results in tender juicy chicken that tastes delicious in all kinds of recipes from salads to tacos. 

Plus, you only need one (or two ingredients) which saves you time and effort. All it takes is chicken and water (or chicken broth if you prefer) and a dash of salt.

What’s In Crockpot Shredded Chicken

This slow cooker shredded chicken is really simple and only really takes one ingredient – chicken. The addition of chicken broth and salt help to add flavor but are optional in this recipe. It’s up to you whether you prefer to use chicken breasts or chicken thighs. The recipe stays the same but the result will vary slightly.

• Boneless Chicken Breasts: Opting for chicken breasts results in a shreddier lower fat result. It’s absolutely packed with protein and is extremely versatile.
• Boneless Chicken Thighs: This recipe also works with chicken thighs which result in a slightly juicer more tender shredded chicken. It is slightly higher in fat content which also makes it more flavorful.

How to Make Shredded Chicken

Making crockpot shredded chicken is easy and takes hardly any prep at all – it’s really one of those set it and forget it type of recipes. 

1. Start by adding the chicken and water or chicken broth to the slow cooker.
2. Then slow cook the chicken based on the specific instructions below. Cooking times will vary depending on which setting you choose.
3. Finally, shred the chicken using the method of your choosing and season to taste.

How to Cook Shredded Chicken

There are several methods for making shredded chicken ranging from poaching to boiling and cooking in a pressure cooker. However, we find that slow cooker shredded chicken tends to yield the most tender and juicy result. Compared to faster cooking recipes, the muscle fibers relax and become soft through the cooking process making it more moist and easier to shred.

The Best Shredding Methods

One of the best things about crockpot shredded chicken is that it’s super tender and almost falls apart into shreds on its own. However, there are several different shredding methods you can use to get the consistency of your liking.

• With Two Forks: This is our favorite method because it requires very little equipment (and clean-up) but saves your fingers from getting burned in the process. Simply grip one fork in each hand and shred apart the chicken using the prongs. 
• By Hand: Some people prefer to shred the chicken by hand which is also a great technique just be sure to let the chicken cool enough that it doesn’t burn your fingers. 
• With a Hand Mixer: Perhaps the easiest method involves using a hand mixer. Simply put the chicken in a large bowl and use the hand mixer on a low speed until you’ve reached your desired consistency. This method is particularly good if you’re looking for a very fine shred.

What to Make With Shredded Chicken

While slow cooker shredded chicken is super versatile, it doesn’t have a ton of flavor on its own. It’s best incorporated in recipes like salads, tacos, and soups. It makes a  great replacement for rotisserie chicken if you don’t have it on hand. Here are some of our favorite ways to serve it:

• Shredded Chicken Salad: One of our favorite ways to use crockpot shredded chicken is in a classic chicken salad. We love the tender texture compared to the traditional method of cubing cooked chicken breast.
• Barbecue Shredded Chicken: Mix the shredded chicken with the BBQ sauce of your choice for a tangy sweet chicken perfect for sliders or BBQ chicken pizza.
• Shredded Chicken Tacos: If Taco Tuesday is calling, try mixing in some Mexican spices and crisping it up in a pan. Add to a tortilla with your favorite toppings for an easy weeknight meal. 
• Chicken Soup: If a soup recipe calls for shredded chicken, this is a great preparation that you can easily make beforehand and add during the cooking process.

Recipes Using Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Breast

• The Best White Chicken Chili
• Slow Cooker Gochujang Chicken Sandwiches
• Round Swamp Farm Chicken Salad DUPE
• Creamy Chicken Enchilada Soup

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We hope you love this slow cooker shredded chicken recipe! If you make it, be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Bon appétit !

A small note to my readers – Over here at VLHhealth, we occasionally include affiliate links in our posts. This means that if you purchase using our links, we will earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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More ideas you’ll love

• 11 Healthy & High-Protein Crockpot Chicken Recipe Ideas
• Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga (Guisado’s Copycat Recipe)
• 7 High-Protein Crockpot Meals that Are Insanely Healthy & Easy to Make

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Posted By: Victoria · In: nutrition