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?
Jack says
Hi I have a question. In some of your recipes you have the chicken chopped and not shredded. Is this the same recipe you use for your chopped chicken, and are you just chopping it after the cook time and not shredding?
So excited to try these. I’m on the search for great work lunch recipes, and I think I just found them with you. 🙂
amy says
Yes I just cooked chicken leg quarters in the crockpot all day but they are to plain what else can I do to them to make them taste better? I forgot to mention that I had put tin foil in the bottom and layed my chicken on top of that to keep the meat on the bone. With that being said what can I do to make it taste better?
Madison says
You shouldn’t use aluminum foil.
chicken is better when cooked with the flavor. if already fully cooked add some bbq sauce or dice it up and add to stir fry. Chicken Salad sandwich. Chicken Waldorf, basically anything based with plain baked chicken will be alright but everything tastes better cooked with a bam
DaVyper says
Just a heads up – the “print recipe” omits step 2
Dani says
Just wondering if you can sub water instead of chicken broth, I’m pregnant and having major aversion to broth. Thanks in advance!
Corey says
Yes, water would work just fine Dani.
AJ says
I usually make this recipe with about 3 pounds of chicken. Doing a much bigger batch, approx. 10 pounds. Should the cook time be increased?
Corey says
Yes, with that much of an increase, you will need to up the time a bit. Just make sure the chicken is fully cooked before serving.
Mikayla Greenway says
Just wondering if you store shredded chicken in the freezer what would be the best way of thawing it? also Does freezing it change the taste?
Corey says
You can place it in the fridge overnight to thaw. Freezing it should not change the taste at all 🙂
Christine says
I make this chicken very often but before finding this recipe I used to put it in dry.. the thing I hate the most is the white film that forms on top of the chicken I am hoping the broth will lift the white film off of the chicken so I don’t have to scrape it. Do you find the broth helps with that?
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
Moriah Brown says
I’m making six pounds of chicken and would like to use this recipe (Walmart potluck for the employees). I good on the trifle but I’m so nervous about the cooking time. Any advice would be helpful.
Corey says
I would suggest using 2 crockpots if possible. What size crockpot are you using for this?
Brandu says
Do you spray the crockpot with nonstick spray first ?
Corey says
No, that is not needed.
Brandy says
Do you flip the breasts half way through cooking time?
Corey says
Nope. No need to.
Jen T says
Just made this, we really liked it. High for about 3.5 hours. It shredded perfect and was very tasty.
Marissa BreAnn Post says
Hi. I was wondering what the cooking time would be if I used 3.5 lbs thawed chicken leg meat instead of breast
Tracy G says
I just made this over the weekend for a recipe that required shredded chicken. It was so delicious! My husband couldn’t stop eating it straight out of the crock pot. This will be my go-to way to prepare shredded chicken from now on. Thank you!
Melissa says
My family and I love this chicken. It’s so easy, and can be used in so many different dishes or just eaten as is. The chicken is so tender after being in the slow cooker it basically starts falling apart as I’m taking it out to shred it. I’m so happy I found this recipe!
Molly says
Can you use chicken tenderloins instead of the breasts?
Corey says
Yes 😉
Jess says
I love this recipe! My chicken always dries out but this chicken was so moist, and just fell apart when I was shredding it. Definitely recommend it, I’m using it for salads!
Elizabeth says
What sauce would you recommend to go with this if the chicken is being served on rolls?
Corey says
I would use your favorite bbq or hot sauce!
Cheryl says
Have you made this in an instapot? If so any advice?
Corey says
Yes! Here is a link to my recipe for the IP https://www.familyfreshmeals.com/2017/02/instant-pot-shredded-chicken-breast.html
Ryan says
Do you know how much a serving might be? Making this for dinner tonight and was just wondering
Corey says
A serving of chicken is usually 3-4 oz