Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
WHAT CHICKEN TO BUY: You can literally use just about any chicken for this recipe! I usually buy two or three of those big 3-lb bags of frozen chicken breasts that are sold in any grocery store. But you can also use smaller amounts, as well as other cuts of chicken. I would just avoid any chicken with bones so that you don’t have to pick them out.
Ingredients
- 6 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tsp. salt
- 2 tsp. black pepper
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- (optional) 1/2 cup water or chicken broth (**see note below**)
Preparation
Step 1
Place chicken breasts in slow cooker, and sprinkle with seasonings (and liquid, if using). Cover and cook on low for 8 hours, or until the chicken shreds easily with a fork. (*If making a smaller batch, keep an eye on your slow cooker as the chicken will likely need less cooking time.)
Remove the chicken with tongs, and shred using two forks or the paddle attachment of a stand mixer. Use immediately, or freeze in ziplock bags or a sealed container.
**I almost always use frozen chicken when I make big batches of slow cooker shredded chicken like this. And the chicken has always released LOTS of extra juices while cooking, making plenty moist. Some of that extra liquid may be from the chicken breasts being a little icy and frozen. But if you are worried about chicken being dry, feel free to add in a little liquid while cooking.
HOW TO SHRED CHICKEN:
My favorite method is the old fashioned two-forks method. Even with a really large batch of slow cooker shredded chicken, I can shred it all in about 2 minutes since the meat is so tender and easily pulls apart.
You can also add the chicken to a stand mixer and (very briefly!!) mix it with the paddle attachment to break it up.
HOW TO STORE SHREDDED CHICKEN:
If you are not using the chicken right away, I recommend freezing it in small ziplock bags or sealed containers. Be sure not to put the chicken all together in one huge ziplock bag, because then it is harder to separate and thaw in small batches.
HOW TO USE SHREDDED CHICKEN:
I add mine to all sorts of recipes!!! Shredded chicken is awesome in soups, tacos, pastas, quesadillas, sandwiches, enchiladas, appetizers, you name it!