Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
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About every two weeks on Sunday, I make a big batch of slow-cooked shredded chicken. Honestly there’s not too much to say about shredded chicken, except it’s tender, moist, and flavorful, just like chicken should be!
But this is the beginning of a lot of my recipes, such as Cheesy Chicken Bacon Bombs, Tex-Mex Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti, Skinny Chicken Salad, and many others.
I can’t tell you how much I love having a fresh bag in the fridge and few bags in the freezer, especially on nights when I have no plans for dinner. I can easily make a number of meals just starting with a couple cups of shredded chicken.
A lot of people had been asking exactly how I make my shredded chicken, so by popular request, here it is!
Here’s what you do:
Put a desired amount of raw chicken breasts in a crock pot. I usually do about 2-3 lbs. Remember you can always freeze some! Pour some low sodium chicken broth over the chicken. Then I add dried minced onion, celery salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Stir it up.
Cook on low for about 6 hours or high for about 4 hours.
When it has finished cooking, transfer to a bowl and add about 1/2 cup of the broth that it cooked in. Let it cool off for a few minutes or else you’ll burn your fingers, it may still be hot inside!
Take a couple forks and get shreddin’. You can also use a hand mixer if you like it super shredded, but I tend to like more of natural pulled/chopped pieces.
and Voila!
Tender, Juicy, Flavorful Shredded chicken to do with whatever your heart desires.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs raw boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1½ cups low sodium chicken broth *see notes
- 2 tbsp dried minced onion *can also use a 2-3 tsp on onion powder or one fresh onion diced
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
- 1/2 tsp oregano (option)
Instructions
- In a slow cooker, add chicken breasts, broth, and seasonings.
- Cook on low for about 6 hours or high for 4 hours.
- Remove chicken and 1/2 cup of the broth nd place into a bowl. Shred with two forks or a mixer (for finely shredded chicken). Enjoy! To freeze let the chicken cool completely and then place it into a freezer friendly container or bag.
Do you put the shredded chicken back into the left over juice in the crock?
Nope! You can add a little juice to the chicken to if you think it needs it, but I personally don’t.
This chicken is so easy to make, absolutely delicious, and is incredibly versatile to use (Chicken Salad, add any seasoning profile you want — Mexican, Buffalo, etc). It’s a staple for me!
Would LOVE to have a list of all your recipes that I can use this in. Thank you!!
Silly question but do you trim the chicken breast first or just throw ignorant in right from the pack? I feel like I spend more time trimming and cleaning chicken than cooking it lol!
Hi Julia! It depends on the chicken breast honestly. The fresh chicken that I buy on a normal basis doesn’t really need any cleaning, but I know this can vary from store to store. I’d say to use your personal judgement. Sorry that doesn’t seem to be much help!
I’ve also used 4 chicken breasts, taco seasoning, fat free cream cheese, and rotel tomatoe, all placed into a crock pot. After several hours when you know the chicken is done, place on tortilla and add reduced or fat free cheese, lettuce and tomatoe.
I’ve also used 4 chicken breasts, taco seasoning, fat free cream cheese, and rotel tomatoe, all placed into a crock pot. After several hours when you know the chicken is done, place on tortilla and add reduced or fat free cheese, lettuce and tomatoe.
I do this every Sunday and cook 2 lbs and freeze half for the next week. I typically use fresh tenderloins and keep them whole instead of shredding that way I can cut it how I want for any particular recipe. I also don’t use any broth, if you only put enough chicken in to line the pan and all the chicken is touching the crock pot then the broth isn’t needed! 🙂
I do this every Sunday and cook 2 lbs and freeze half for the next week. I typically use fresh tenderloins and keep them whole instead of shredding that way I can cut it how I want for any particular recipe. I also don’t use any broth, if you only put enough chicken in to line the pan and all the chicken is touching the crock pot then the broth isn’t needed! 🙂
Does the broth from the chicken breast have WWpoints? I make Enchiladas Suisas and us the broth with fat free Greek yogurt for the sauce but have wondered about that broth. Just found your site today and will certainly put you in my favorites. Thanks for the tasty sounding recipes. Going to get my slow cooker and that big pack of chicken breasts out of the freezer right now.
Does the broth from the chicken breast have WWpoints? I make Enchiladas Suisas and us the broth with fat free Greek yogurt for the sauce but have wondered about that broth. Just found your site today and will certainly put you in my favorites. Thanks for the tasty sounding recipes. Going to get my slow cooker and that big pack of chicken breasts out of the freezer right now.