Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

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

• 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.

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.

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.