Crockpot Shredded Chicken Make Shredded Chicken In The Slow Cooker

While the premise of making shredded chicken in the slow cooker (for Chicken Alfredo Bake and more) seems easy enough, finding clear answers to know how long to cook your chicken, what type of chicken to use, and the best way to shred it can be difficult to track down in a single resource. That’s why I’ve created this comprehensive guide for making healthy pulled chicken in the slow cooker. If you are looking for how to cook perfect chicken in the crock pot (perhaps for Mexican Chicken Casserole), read on! Across my vast section of healthy chicken recipes, my most popular chicken recipes are my slow cooker chicken recipes.

When it comes to making healthy dinners easy, working around busy life schedules, and the hands-free nature of chicken recipes in a slow cooker, they just can’t be beat.This basic crockpot shredded chicken uses a low and slow cooking method, which yields easy shredded chicken that’s moist, tender, and easy to shred or dice.

Once prepared, throw it on a salad, mix it into pasta, or use it in enchiladas, soups, or casseroles (ahem, Chicken and Biscuits). The possibilities are truly endless for how to use it!

How to Make Crockpot Shredded Chicken

First, let’s dive into the basic crockpot shredded chicken method using go-to boneless skinless chicken breasts (perfect for Fiesta Chicken or Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers). Then, keep scrolling for how to make slow cooker shredded chicken with chicken thighs vs. chicken breasts and my top tips for making easy shredded chicken in the crock pot with boneless chicken vs. bone-in chicken and skinless chicken vs. skin-on chicken!

The Ingredients

Chicken. Believe it or not, all you need for this easy crockpot shredded chicken breast recipe is…CHICKEN! You’ll have to trust me when I say you can make shredded chicken in your crock pot without broth, water, bbq sauce, or marinade. It’s amazing, and it works!

The Directions

How Long Do You Cook Raw Chicken in a Crockpot?

The below cooking times are a suggestion based on my experience, but I always suggest checking your chicken for doneness early with an instant-read thermometer. However, if you want to infuse your easy crockpot shredded chicken breast with flavor, here are some other seasoning ideas to consider:

Mexican Shredded Chicken. Add the seasonings from my Crock Pot Mexican Chicken.Italian Shredded Chicken. Add 2 teaspoons of Italian seasoning to your chicken. See also: Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.Spicy Shredded Chicken. If you love spice, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes to your chicken.Buffalo Shredded Chicken. Follow the crockpot shredded chicken recipe from this Healthy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sweet Potatoes recipe.

Hand Mixer. This is my preferred method! Remove your chicken to a bowl or place your hand mixer directly into the slow cooker and use it on low speed to shred the chicken. You also can transfer the cooked chicken breasts or thighs to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and shred it on low.Two Forks. Grab two forks, using one to steady the big pieces of chicken. Use the other fork to tear the big piece into shreds. (I’ve also heard reports that these Meat Shredder Claws work splendidly.)Fingers. If your chicken is cool enough, you can shred it with your fingers.

When done, your chicken should be 165 degrees F. I remove mine 5 to 10 degrees early, since it will continue to cook as it rests.

Chicken Breast Cooking Times

Boneless Chicken Breasts.

Cook on LOW for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours. Always cook your boneless skinless chicken breasts on LOW for the best results.I do not recommend cooking boneless chicken breast on HIGH, as it will become very dry, even if you check it early. On high, the chicken turns out drier; I consistently have the best results with low.Based on a medium boneless chicken breast with a weight of 8 ounces. Be sure to add or subtract time if your piece of chicken is smaller or larger.Check early! All crock pot models are different, so your chicken may take less or more time than listed.

Bone-in Chicken Breasts.

Cook on LOW for 2-3 hours or HIGH for 1-2 hours.Bone-in chicken is less likely to dry out than boneless, so you have the flexibility to cook the chicken on high.Based on medium bone-in chicken breast with a weight of 11 ounces. Be sure to add or subtract time if your piece of chicken is smaller or larger.

Chicken Thigh Cooking Times

Boneless Chicken Thighs.

Cook on LOW for 3-4 hours or HIGH for 2-3 hoursChicken thighs are less likely to dry out than chicken breasts, so you have flexibility to cook the chicken on high.Based on medium boneless chicken thigh with a weight of 4.5 ounces.Be sure to add or subtract time if your piece of chicken is smaller or larger.

Bone-in Chicken Thighs.

Cook on LOW for 5-6 hours or HIGH for 3-4 hours.Based on medium bone-in chicken thigh with a weight of 5.5 ounces.Be sure to add or subtract time if your piece of chicken is smaller or larger.

How to Store and Freeze Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

To Store. Place shredded chicken in an airtight storage container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.To Reheat. Gently rewarm plain shredded chicken in the microwave until hot, topped with a splash of water or chicken broth to keep it from drying out. If you’re serving sauce with your chicken, you can reheat the chicken in the sauce on the stovetop over medium-low heat.To Freeze. Store shredded chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Recommended Tools to Make Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

Slow Cooker. Programmable slow cookers like this one help prevent overcooking.Hand Mixer. An easy way to shred your chicken.Instant Read Thermometer. The best method to check chicken for doneness.

Shredded chicken, you are a lifesaver. I’d be lost without you. Boneless vs. Bone-in Chicken. You can use both boneless and bone-in pieces of chicken to make shredded chicken.

Boneless is great because shredding is typically easier, and it cooks faster.Bone-in chicken meat tends to stay very moist and may have more flavor than boneless.

Skin On or Off. While you can leave the skin on your chicken during slow cooking, it will likely become soggy. For this recipe, it is best to remove any skin before you begin cooking.

If you want to cook your chicken with the skin on, lay it in the slow cooker skin side up, and leave the lid slightly cracked. This will allow some liquid to escape during cooking and help the skin crisp up. Note that you may need to add to the cook time to accommodate the lid being ajar.

Tex-Mex Recipes. Slow cooker shredded chicken tacos, enchiladas, or quesadillas are a delicious way to use the chicken. (King Ranch Chicken with corn tortillas, tomatoes, sour cream, and the Best Guacamole Recipe anyone?) You can find more fiesta-themed ideas here!Sandwiches. Take a note from my Crock Pot BBQ Chicken and add a sauce. Then, use the chicken to make a crockpot shredded chicken sandwich.Salads. Add protein to your favorite salad by topping it with this crock pot shredded chicken. My favorites include Chicken Caesar Pasta Salad, BBQ Chicken Salad with lettuce, black beans, and cilantro, and this Spinach Strawberry Salad with Balsamic Poppy Seed Dressing.Pastas. Make your favorite pasta dish more filling by stirring in this shredded chicken. Adding it to this Mediterranean Pasta or this Brussels Sprouts Mac and Cheese would be tasty.Pizzas. Use your shredded chicken to top a pizza.Soups. Stir some of this chicken into your favorite vegetarian soup recipe like Broccoli Cauliflower Soup to bump the protein content.Casseroles. Add crock pot shredded chicken to a veggie casserole like this Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole.

I have a whole special feature of easy, creative (ahem, NOT BORING!) ways to use cooked, shredded chicken in my cookbook. Order your copy HERE.