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You are here: Home / Food / Recipes / Basics / How to Make Easy Shredded Chicken

How to Make Easy Shredded Chicken

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Today I am sharing one of my cooking basics: how to make easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker.

How to make easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker| APinchOfHealthy.com

Shredded chicken is a staple in most kitchens. If you have a good method for how to make easy shredded chicken in bulk, you can save yourself a LOT of prep time. And it’s just as easy to make a bunch as it is to make for one recipe.

Shredded chicken is great for soups, casseroles, pasta dishes, etc. If you have some already made, it can make preparing dinner a lot easier.

It freezes just fine too, which is really handy.

For this recipe I am starting with three pounds of frozen boneless skinless chicken breast. Yes, frozen. I have never had a problem starting with frozen meat. I love that I don’t have to think ahead to lay some out to thaw. I can just grab some frozen chicken breasts from my freezer stash and make this whenever I want to.

You can do more or less than three pounds (depending on your slow cooker capacity!). But beware that cooking times may vary for different amounts.

Also, you may make this with fresh (not frozen) chicken breasts too. This would work well if you are making this right after bringing some chicken breasts home from the grocery store. Again, the cooking time will be less than what I suggest here.

Tools Used for This Recipe

Note: these are Amazon affiliate links.

  • Two forks for shredding
  • Slow Cooker
  • Freezer bags or storage containers
  • Optional – food scale for dividing up the meat (You can totally eye-ball it without a scale too, though!)

How to Make Easy Shredded Chicken

How to make easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker| APinchOf Healthy.com
4.67 from 3 votes
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How to Make Easy Shredded Chicken

If you know how to make easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker, it can save you a lot of food prep time.
Course Basics
Cuisine American
Keyword how to make shredded chicken, shredded chicken
Prep Time 2 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 2 minutes
Servings 12
Calories 130 kcal
Author Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 teaspoon granulated garlic garlic powder
  • teaspoon Salt and pepper to taste about 3/4 salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  1. Pour the water into the slow cooker.
  2. Add the frozen chicken, and season with the garlic, salt and pepper.
  3. Place the lid on and cook on low for about 5 to 6 hours, until chicken shreds with a fork.

  4. Shred the chicken right in the slow cooker, using two forks.
    How to make easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker| APinchOfHealthy.com
  5. Divide up chicken into storage containers.
  6. Optional: you can use a food scale if you like - to help you divide the chicken evenly.
    How to make easy shredded chicken in the slow cooker| APinchOfHealthy.com
  7. If you don't plan to use the chicken right away, you may freeze it.

Recipe Notes

Every slow cooker is a little bit different, so cooking time may vary slightly. If your chicken comes out dry, try reducing cook time the next time around.

Nutrition Facts
How to Make Easy Shredded Chicken
Amount Per Serving
Calories 130 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Cholesterol 72mg24%
Sodium 132mg6%
Potassium 422mg12%
Protein 24g48%
Vitamin A 35IU1%
Vitamin C 1.3mg2%
Calcium 6mg1%
Iron 0.4mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

I hope you enjoy this recipe! It is so versatile and can be used in many different recipes. Pin and share!


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451shares
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Rosita Laraque says

    October 6, 2020 at 7:29 am

    4 stars
    Hello,
    Can I use low sodium Chicken Broth instead of water?? First time cooking frozen chicken in the Crockpot.

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      October 6, 2020 at 8:58 am

      Hi Rosita! Yes, chicken broth would work just fine. Enjoy!

      Reply
  2. MISS TAM says

    August 3, 2020 at 12:44 pm

    Very helpful recipe which makes other recipes easier. For those who worry about frozen chicken, remember the temperature that the chicken goes in is not the issue, it is the temperature that it comes out. As long as you cook it until it is fully cooked (use a meat thermometer if in doubt) it doesn’t matter if it was frozen. If you’re at home, cook on high until you can cut it up then switch to low to finish.

    Reply
  3. Kaira M says

    June 25, 2020 at 9:04 am

    5 stars
    This recipe is sooo helpful for our family! Thank you!! I love that I can have chicken ready for several meals all at once and it’s made a big difference in my meal prep! Thank you for sharing!!!

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      June 26, 2020 at 8:33 am

      I am so glad to hear it, Kaira!

      Reply
  4. Nadine McVey says

    August 11, 2019 at 6:13 pm

    Can you do this with frozen boneless chicken thighs?

    Reply
    • Marjorie @APinchOfHealthy says

      August 12, 2019 at 8:27 am

      Hi Nadine. Yes, this recipe should work well with thighs. Enjoy!

      Reply
  5. JBJ says

    January 18, 2019 at 6:59 pm

    Not safe … https://www.southernliving.com/news/is-it-safe-cook-frozen-chicken-crockpot-instant-pot

    Reply
    • Ariel Graham says

      September 2, 2019 at 7:05 am

      It is safe. In fact, the article you’ve posted tells you how to make sure it’s safe.

      Reply
    • Stephen says

      October 16, 2019 at 11:20 am

      Love it when people reply with an article they didn’t even read. I’ve been making frozen shredded chicken for years and never had any issues

      Reply
      • Kristen says

        September 8, 2020 at 10:39 pm

        Me too. I’ve been putting frozen chicken in my crockpot for years and I haven’t made anyone sick yet! 😄

        Reply
  6. Debra says

    March 28, 2018 at 11:15 am

    5 stars
    Love, love, love your site and recipes. But this drives me crazy. I’m Sorry ahead of time. Dethaw is the opposite of thaw! It is not a word.

    Reply
  7. Jose the great says

    March 3, 2016 at 8:48 pm

    This comes out really dry for me what can I do to fix it? Or am I doomed to suck water and eat at the same time?

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      March 4, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      I am sorry it turned out dry for you! You can try reducing the cooking time a bit and see if that helps.

      Reply
  8. Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

    April 18, 2015 at 8:48 pm

    Me too! 🙂 I just followed the exact method outlined here.

    Reply
  9. Staci @ anewstaci.blogspot.com says

    April 17, 2015 at 11:13 am

    You have a typo of diving instead of dividing or divying right before you go through your instructions. Not being picky. I just know I hate when I make typos, and your blog is so much nicer and more professional than mine. Lol Figured you might want to know.
    I have used my crock pot before to shred chicken, but I always get a different texture when I do. I have never used water in mine, and yours doesn’t look as “fine” as mine when I use the crockpot! Lol I will have to try again and use water. I do despise shredding chicken on the stovetop as needed… but my cats enjoy it since they get the little scraps. Ha

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      April 17, 2015 at 11:20 am

      Thanks Staci! I appreciate it. 🙂 I hope you enjoy the recipe.

      Reply
  10. Julie Jones says

    April 17, 2015 at 8:44 am

    Awesome! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
    • Marjorie@APinchOfHealthy says

      April 17, 2015 at 9:38 am

      Thanks Julie! 🙂

      Reply

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I am a home cook, recipe developer, coffee drinker, wife and mom of two. My recipes are simple and tasty. I enjoy lots of fresh, healthy food, plus full treats without guilt. Thanks so much for stopping by! Read more here.

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