Think of the possibilities. Salads, sandwiches, tacos, soups and wraps.
I have had a ton of questions sent in about making your own shredded chicken for some Family Fresh Meals recipes. My Avocado Chicken Salad, Cheesy Hot Wing Dip and Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad seem to be the your favorites 🙂
After sending out many emails answering this question, it occurred to me that it would be MUCH easier to simply do a post on how to make Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken!
This Crockpot Shredded Chicken is pretty much the easiest recipe ever! All you have to do is throw your chicken and spices in the crockpot and go about your day. A few hours later, you have flavorful, moist shredded chicken that you can use throughout the week for salads, sandwiches, wraps, or any of those recipes I mentioned above. (As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
TOOLS USED FOR THIS EASY CROCKPOT SHREDDED CHICKEN
Slow Cooker: This slow cooker works great for this recipe
How to Make Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 4 large chicken breasts)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp all purpose seasoning (such as Mrs. Dash) – if you cannot find this, you can replace with 1/2 tsp of oregano & 1/2 tsp of onion powder
Directions:
- Place all ingredients into your crockpot and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours. (These times are for fresh chicken. If you are using frozen, you will need to use the greater of the cooking times)
- When cooking time is up, remove chicken from crockpot and place in a large bowl. Shred chicken using two forks. Use right away, or it can be stored in a sealed container and refrigerated for 3-4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
What are you going to do with all that Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken?
- Avocado Chicken Enchiladas
- Easy Chicken Tetrazzini
- Cheesy Hot Wing Dip
- Homemade Chicken Pot Pie
- Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Buffalo Chicken Bombs
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Easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast (about 4 large chicken breasts)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp all purpose seasoning such as Mrs. Dash - if you cannot find this, you can replace with 1/2 tsp of oregano & 1/2 tsp of onion powder
Instructions
- Place all ingredients into your crockpot.
- Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW for 5-6 hours. (These times are for fresh chicken. If you are using frozen, you will need to use the greater of the cooking times)
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Post updated September 2020
AshleyT says
I can not wait to try this for dinner tonight! My husband is always saying that after the initial meal my crockpot chicken tends to dry out, hopefully this fixes the problem 😀
Ruth says
I put the cooked chicken in my Kitchenaid mixer with the flat beater to shred it in about 30 seconds and you save your fingers from getting burned.
Beth says
I have made this many times but forget how many cups this yields. I need 4 cups for another recipe. Do you have any idea? Thanks
Corey says
This should make at least 4 cups Beth.
crissy says
Use your stand mixer with the paddle attachment to quickly shred the chicken.
Dana says
How do you store the chicken for freezing? Ziploc bags? Glass containers? My husband LOVES shredded chicken so I can see me keeping this on hand. I’m making the cheesy chicken enchiladas right now. 🙂
Corey says
I like glass containers, But I think many people use ziploc bags 🙂 I hope that helps.
Kimberley says
When you take it out of the freezer, what do you do to de thaw it?
Corey says
If would just thaw it in the fridge or use the microwave.
Rachel says
If you double the recipe, do you also double the cooking time? Looking for time I should cook on high for 4 lbs of fresh chicken. Thanks!
Corey says
No, you will have to add a little time ( maybe 30- to 60 minutes depending on the crockpot) but doubling the cooking time would dry out the chicken.
Rachel says
Thanks Corey! Love your blog – everything I’ve tried has been great!
Corey says
You are welcome girly! Thanks for giving my recipes a try 🙂
Claudia says
Hi, I’m making this for the Super Bowl today and wondering if you keep the chicken in the broth when you shred it?
Thanks, I tasted the chicken and it is great!
Corey says
Yes, I keep it in the broth Claudia. I think it’s easier that way 🙂
Claudia says
Awesome! Thanks!! It is so tender and moist, I love it. 🙂
Courtney says
I was planning on making taco salads for just the two of us tonight, and had only gotten 2 big chicken breasts out to dethaw. Would you suggest I cut the time in half for cooking them, or maybe an hour or so less and just watch them so they don’t overcook?
Corey says
Yes, I think that would be a good idea Courtney 🙂
Charissa says
Wow! So easy! =) What size crockpot did you use?
Nicole says
I’m planning on making this with frozen chicken breasts. What time and setting do you recommend?
Emily says
Does the broth need to cover the chicken? Or does it just cover the bottom of the crockpot and bottom of chicken?
Corey says
No, it doesn’t need to cover the whole breasts.
Mica says
Sounds delicious! I’d like to try this with bone-in chicken breasts. What adjustments should I make?