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. I use just enough to cover the chicken breasts. Then I add dried minced onion, celery salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
Cook on low for about 6 hours or high for about 4 hours.
When it’s finished cooking, transfer to a cutting board. 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’.
and Voila!
Tender, Juicy, Flavorful Shredded chicken to do with whatever your heart desires.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 3-4 lbs chicken breast , raw
- 4-5 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 3-4 tbs dried minced onion
- 1 tbs garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp celery salt
- 1 tsp pepper
Instructions
- In a 6-quart slow cooker, add chicken breasts, broth, and seasonings.
- Cook on low for 6 hours, or high for 4 hours.
Remove and transfer onto a cutting board, let cool, and shred into pieces. (Or shred with mixer)
Recipe Notes
Serving size: 3 oz
2 Smart Points (calculated with Weight Watchers Recipe Builder)
0 Freestyle Smart Points for any amount (calculated with Weight Watchers Recipe Builder)
Sheryl says
03/26/2018 at 3:53 pmI’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.
Sheryl says
03/26/2018 at 3:53 pmI’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.
Kelsey says
03/13/2018 at 3:53 pmI 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! 🙂
Kelsey says
03/13/2018 at 3:53 pmI 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! 🙂
Marcy says
02/16/2018 at 9:54 amDoes 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.
Marcy says
02/16/2018 at 9:54 amDoes 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.
Joanna says
02/11/2018 at 10:29 amHi! Can’t to try this. Can you make this on the stove top too?
Joanna says
02/11/2018 at 10:30 am*wait.
Star says
02/11/2018 at 4:15 pmYes you for sure can. It might not be as tender, fall apart, and it will take much, much less time.
Joanna says
02/11/2018 at 10:29 amHi! Can’t to try this. Can you make this on the stove top too?
Joanna says
02/11/2018 at 10:30 am*wait.
Star says
02/11/2018 at 4:15 pmYes you for sure can. It might not be as tender, fall apart, and it will take much, much less time.
Mia says
01/22/2018 at 9:10 pmThis was perfect! Such a nice flavour that is also so versatile for other dishes!
Star says
01/24/2018 at 5:20 pmSo happy you enjoyed!
Mia says
01/22/2018 at 9:10 pmThis was perfect! Such a nice flavour that is also so versatile for other dishes!
Star says
01/24/2018 at 5:20 pmSo happy you enjoyed!
Melina Rugar says
01/15/2018 at 2:22 pmCan you make your shredded chicken in the Instant Pot?
Star says
01/21/2018 at 9:24 amYep! Not sure of the exact method because I don’t have an Instant Pot, but I’ve seen people do it!
Melina Rugar says
01/15/2018 at 2:22 pmCan you make your shredded chicken in the Instant Pot?
Star says
01/21/2018 at 9:24 amYep! Not sure of the exact method because I don’t have an Instant Pot, but I’ve seen people do it!
Courtney Rees says
01/15/2018 at 1:31 pmWow! This is a great shredded chicken recipe! I just made it and it’s definitely going to be my go to recipe. Thanks so much!
Star says
01/21/2018 at 9:24 amSO happy you enjoyed!
Courtney Rees says
01/15/2018 at 1:31 pmWow! This is a great shredded chicken recipe! I just made it and it’s definitely going to be my go to recipe. Thanks so much!
Star says
01/21/2018 at 9:24 amSO happy you enjoyed!
Melissa Sullivan says
01/05/2018 at 12:11 pmNo celery salt, but I have celery flakes? Can that work?
Star says
01/09/2018 at 3:48 pmThat would work!
Melissa Sullivan says
01/05/2018 at 12:11 pmNo celery salt, but I have celery flakes? Can that work?
Star says
01/09/2018 at 3:48 pmThat would work!
Carol says
12/27/2017 at 4:44 pmcould you give a recipe for shredded beef,as you stated in your blog
Carol says
12/27/2017 at 4:44 pmcould you give a recipe for shredded beef,as you stated in your blog
Kate says
12/06/2017 at 12:23 pmCould this be done with frozen chicken? How would you adjust the times? I forgot to take the chicken out again ♀️
Kate says
12/06/2017 at 12:23 pmCould this be done with frozen chicken? How would you adjust the times? I forgot to take the chicken out again ♀️
Andrea says
11/30/2017 at 7:42 pmSilly question but is there a sub for the minced onion? I’m making your street tacos tomorrow and didn’t have any on hand! By the way, make a cookbook PLEASE, all your recipes are wonderful and I’m not doing WW, but as a girl who watches her macros your recipes are bomb!
Star says
12/01/2017 at 1:43 pmHaha! I’d love to write a cookbook. It is something I would really like to do so now I just need a publisher. If you know anyone, let them know! (ha! kidding!) So happy you’re enjoying the recipes though. In place of the dried minced onion you could use half of a diced onion or maybe about 1.5 tsp onion powder. This recipe is pretty forgiving recipe so if you don’t have either, it’s really okay. All the flavors you’ll be adding with making the tacos will make up for it. Hope you love the tacos!
Andrea says
11/30/2017 at 7:42 pmSilly question but is there a sub for the minced onion? I’m making your street tacos tomorrow and didn’t have any on hand! By the way, make a cookbook PLEASE, all your recipes are wonderful and I’m not doing WW, but as a girl who watches her macros your recipes are bomb!
Star says
12/01/2017 at 1:43 pmHaha! I’d love to write a cookbook. It is something I would really like to do so now I just need a publisher. If you know anyone, let them know! (ha! kidding!) So happy you’re enjoying the recipes though. In place of the dried minced onion you could use half of a diced onion or maybe about 1.5 tsp onion powder. This recipe is pretty forgiving recipe so if you don’t have either, it’s really okay. All the flavors you’ll be adding with making the tacos will make up for it. Hope you love the tacos!
Laura says
09/21/2017 at 4:10 pmThis looks terrific! I have a question regarding broth, do you disregard after done cooking?
Star says
09/22/2017 at 2:54 pmYou can strain it through a mesh strainer and use it for recipes!
Laura says
09/21/2017 at 4:10 pmThis looks terrific! I have a question regarding broth, do you disregard after done cooking?
Star says
09/22/2017 at 2:54 pmYou can strain it through a mesh strainer and use it for recipes!
Leia johnston says
07/17/2017 at 4:45 pmLove the new layout of your site. All of your recipes are delicious and easy to make! Pulled chicken has become a staple. Thanks for a great resource.
Leia johnston says
07/17/2017 at 4:45 pmLove the new layout of your site. All of your recipes are delicious and easy to make! Pulled chicken has become a staple. Thanks for a great resource.
Danielle Harkins says
09/27/2016 at 3:15 pmHow much do you put in each bag to freeze? I love the idea of having it ready and on hand, makes meal planning so much easier!!
Star says
09/27/2016 at 3:41 pmI do 2 cups in a few bags and 3 cups in one or two! I usually use 2 cups in most of my recipes, but sometimes I need more and thats when I’ll grab the one with three cups!
Danielle Harkins says
09/27/2016 at 3:15 pmHow much do you put in each bag to freeze? I love the idea of having it ready and on hand, makes meal planning so much easier!!
Star says
09/27/2016 at 3:41 pmI do 2 cups in a few bags and 3 cups in one or two! I usually use 2 cups in most of my recipes, but sometimes I need more and thats when I’ll grab the one with three cups!
Alecia says
09/26/2016 at 1:44 pmMy favorite cheat tip is to use the kitchenaid mixer to shred the chicken. Takes only SECONDS and saves my fingers from using the forks 🙂 Thanks for this recipe!
Star says
09/26/2016 at 2:41 pmYes girl! I need to update this recipe because since then I’ve learned and use this trick now! Whoever had this idea was geeenius!
Anne Marie says
01/28/2018 at 7:31 amReading abt your recipe after your insta post. To shred using kitchen aid. Which attachment
Alecia says
09/26/2016 at 1:44 pmMy favorite cheat tip is to use the kitchenaid mixer to shred the chicken. Takes only SECONDS and saves my fingers from using the forks 🙂 Thanks for this recipe!
Star says
09/26/2016 at 2:41 pmYes girl! I need to update this recipe because since then I’ve learned and use this trick now! Whoever had this idea was geeenius!
Anne Marie says
01/28/2018 at 7:31 amReading abt your recipe after your insta post. To shred using kitchen aid. Which attachment
Lisa says
08/19/2016 at 6:07 amhow long can the shredded chicken stay in the fridge & in the freezer?
Star says
08/19/2016 at 7:34 amFreezer up to 3 months- some people keep it in longer but it tends to get a bit of freezer burn and I’m not a fan of that, and in the fridge 6 days
Lisa says
08/19/2016 at 6:07 amhow long can the shredded chicken stay in the fridge & in the freezer?
Star says
08/19/2016 at 7:34 amFreezer up to 3 months- some people keep it in longer but it tends to get a bit of freezer burn and I’m not a fan of that, and in the fridge 6 days
undercoverweightwatcher says
05/17/2016 at 6:06 pmI love having shredded chicken and beef in the freezer. It’s perfect for when you are desperate (but not serious-sorry Adam Ant reference). I just pulled out some shreeded chicken for my lunch today. The boys are going to have it for dinner tonight on rolls with bbq sauce, bacon, and cheddar.
mamacupcake says
05/18/2016 at 6:28 amYes!! It’s such a perfect thing to have on hand. Those BBQ bacon rolls sound dreamy
undercoverweightwatcher says
05/17/2016 at 6:06 pmI love having shredded chicken and beef in the freezer. It’s perfect for when you are desperate (but not serious-sorry Adam Ant reference). I just pulled out some shreeded chicken for my lunch today. The boys are going to have it for dinner tonight on rolls with bbq sauce, bacon, and cheddar.
mamacupcake says
05/18/2016 at 6:28 amYes!! It’s such a perfect thing to have on hand. Those BBQ bacon rolls sound dreamy
Deanna says
05/11/2016 at 10:06 amAnything special you do when freezing it and defrosting? I feel like it would change the texture?
mamacupcake says
05/11/2016 at 5:02 pmI haven’t had any problems with the texture changing at all! I freeze it in a freezer friendly ziploc bag! I only let it freeze usually for a 2-3 months before I end up using it up! 🙂
Deanna says
05/11/2016 at 10:06 amAnything special you do when freezing it and defrosting? I feel like it would change the texture?
mamacupcake says
05/11/2016 at 5:02 pmI haven’t had any problems with the texture changing at all! I freeze it in a freezer friendly ziploc bag! I only let it freeze usually for a 2-3 months before I end up using it up! 🙂