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Crock Pot Shredded Chicken makes meal planning a breeze during busy weekdays. Fork-tender chicken, minimal prep and endless meal uses from tacos to salads. Let the slow cooker do all the work for the ultimate meal-prep staple.

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken sits inside a black slow cooker, ready to be served. A checkered cloth is partially visible at the edge of the image.
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I love to keep shredded chicken on hand. It is so convenient for quick meals during the week. The possibilities are really endless for the meals you can make with it.

We recently made instant pot shredded chicken and it was a huge success. I thought I would try using the crock pot this time. The results? Perfectly tender chicken packed with flavor! The secret is the chicken broth and the flavor is so yummy. I think it gives it a ton more flavor than using water. If you love this recipe, make sure to also check out Rotisserie Chicken or Crockpot Whole Chicken.

Why Make Shredded Chicken in the Crock-Pot?

Slow cooking is the easiest, most hands-off way to transform plain chicken into juicy, shredded strands that soak up any flavor you add later. We love to make a big batch to meal prep for the week.

Toss everything in before work, come home to perfectly cooked chicken, and shred it for tacos, casseroles, soups, pizzas, sandwiches, or week-long meal prep bowls.

Ingredients

ingredients: chicken breasts, seasoning, broth
  • Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – You can also use skinless chicken thighs.
  • Chicken Broth – If you are out, see Chicken broth substitutes
  • Salt and pepper – Simple spices is all you need

Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crockpot

Step 1 – Place chicken breasts in a crock pot.

Step 2 – Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken. Next, pour the chicken broth all over the top.

chicken and broth in crock pot

Step 3 – Put the lid on and let the chicken cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Step 4 – Once the chicken has finished cooking, take it out of the crock pot. Shred and put back in the slow cooker to soak up the juices.

Variations and Additions

  • Onions – Often times I will add in freshly sliced onions for amazing flavor. You can also use ½ tablespoon of onion powder.
  • Spices – Add in these seasoning to the chicken while cooking for a delicious variation. Add in 2 tbsp of taco seasoning or ½ teaspoon of garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, oregano or paprika.
  • Sauce – We love to add in ½ cup of BBQ Sauce for delicious flavor.

How to Shred Chicken

You can use 2 forks to easily shred the chicken. The meat is super tender and this is really easy. I also like to use my stand mixer. This is a little trick I learned to quickly and easily shred large quantities of chicken.

If you haven’t tried it, it is so easy. You can learn how to shred chicken with a mixer. This is my preferred method if I am cooking a lot of chicken. It is so fast and I also like the texture of the chicken.

How Long do you Cook Shredded Chicken in a Slow Cooker?

Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your chicken breast and your slow cooker. If cooking the chicken breast on low, the chicken is ready in about 6 hours. If you decide to cook on high the chicken will be ready in about 3 hours.

shredded chicken in crock pot

Recipes to Use Shredded Chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Start with Frozen Chicken?

Yes, you can cook frozen chicken in the slow cooker. Cooking time will not change. Just make sure internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees before removing from the slow cooker.

How to Prevent Bland Chicken

Add your favorite spices or sauces to create delicious flavors that you prefer.

Is it Better to Cook Chicken on Low or High in the Crockpot?

We like cooking chicken on low but the chicken still comes out tender and juicy by cooking on high.

Storage and Reheating Tips

  • Fridge – Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. We like to store in the liquid to keep the chicken juicy.
  • Freezer – The easiest way to freeze the shredded chicken is to do it in serving sizes you will use for recipes. I like to divide it by the cups and freeze. Shredded chicken will stay fresh for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge when ready to serve.
  • Reheat – Microwave with a splash of broth or sauce, or warm in a skillet over medium heat on the stovetop.

More Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

If you make Crockpot Shredded Chicken to meal prep for the week, let us know by leaving a comment or a star review! We are always excited to hear what recipes you make with this shredded chicken.

Shredded chicken in a slow cooker.

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

5 from 7 votes
Crockpot shredded chicken makes meal planning a breeze during busy weekdays. Let the slow cooker do all the work for this flavorful chicken.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings 6
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Calories 261

Ingredients

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Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a 6 quart crock pot.
  • Season with the salt and pepper and pour the chicken broth over the top.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
  • Remove the chicken, shred with 2 forks and return the chicken to the crock pot.

Nutrition Facts

Calories 261kcal, Carbohydrates 0.3g, Protein 48g, Fat 6g, Saturated Fat 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1g, Monounsaturated Fat 2g, Trans Fat 0.03g, Cholesterol 146mg, Sodium 796mg, Potassium 848mg, Fiber 0.04g, Sugar 0.2g, Vitamin A 70IU, Vitamin C 3mg, Calcium 14mg, Iron 1mg

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About the Author

Hi, Iโ€™m Carrie Barnard โ€” a professional food blogger with over 14 years of experience helping busy families make dinner fast, easy, and affordable.

At Eating on a Dime, I share simple, budget-friendly recipes that are tested in my own kitchen and approved by my 8 kids. With millions of readers each month, I’m here to help you cook real food for real families โ€” without the stress.

5 from 7 votes (7 ratings without comment)

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