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Learn How to Shred Chicken in multiple ways. Save time and shred a ton of meat in just seconds to use in many different recipes.

Shredded Chicken in a Stand Mixer Bowl
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Shredded Chicken is a great addition to Sauces, Grilled Hawaiian BBQ Chicken and the Best Crockpot Chicken Soup Recipes. We even like to make Grilled Shredded Chicken Tacos with Taco Seasoning Recipe for an easy meal idea.

Cook the fresh or frozen chicken using the stovetop method, pressure cooker or the crockpot. Then use these 5 different ways to shred the chicken to make delicious recipes.

Why We Love Shredded Chicken

Stocking your fridge and freezer with shredded chicken will save you time and money. It always turns our juicy, tender and full of flavor. Using the stand mixer to shred chicken is my favorite way to shred chicken but these other options are just as easy.

Use the chicken to make your favorite Summer Soup Recipes, Casseroles Recipe, Green Chicken Enchiladas, and Buffalo Chicken Quesadillas. I love to make a large batch every week so my kids can quickly make Oven Nachos when they want a snack.

5 Ways to Shred Chicken

  • Use your Hands to Shred Chicken – After the chicken is cooked through, allow it to cool enough to handle but make sure that the chicken is still warm. Use your hands to pull the chicken apart into smaller pieces for your favorite recipes. 
Cooked Chicken on a cutting board being shredded by hand
  • Use 2 Forks – After the chicken is cooked through, allow it to cool enough to handle on a cutting board but make sure that the chicken is still warm. Place 2 forks into the center of the chicken breasts and pull the chicken apart in the opposite direction.  Continue this process until the chicken breasts are shedded into even pieces. 
Shredding Chicken Breast with two forks
  • Use a Hand Held Mixer – Place the cooked chicken breasts in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand held mixer on low speed to break apart the chicken into pieces. Continue this process until all the chicken is shredded. 
  • Use a Stand Up Mixer – Place the cooked chicken breasts in the bowl of a stand up mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to break apart the chicken into pieces. Continue this process until all the chicken is shredded.
  • Use a Large Kitchen Knife – Place the cooked chicken on a cutting board. Use a large knife to dice or slice the chicken based on your preference to be used in your favorite recipes. 

How to Make Shredded Chicken

  • Step 1 – Place the chicken in a large stock pot. Season with the salt and pepper.
  • Step 2 – Cover the chicken in the pot with water making sure that it’s more than 1 inch over the chicken breasts. 
  • Step 3 – Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
  • Step 4 – Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover.
  • Step 5 – Cook until the chicken is cooked through (chicken will be completely white when cooked) and meat thermometer reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Cook time takes approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size and quantity of the chicken breasts that you are cooking.
  • Step 6 – Remove chicken and allow it to cool so that the chicken can be handled, then shred based on your preference and the chicken is ready to enjoy! Make sure to save the chicken broth to make Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup.

Poaching or Boiling chicken is a great option, but you can also make Crockpot Shredded Chicken or Instant Pot Shredded Chicken for another easy options. You can even sauté chicken in a pan with olive oil to cook chicken.

Shredded Chicken in a stand mixer bowl

Shredded Chicken and Serving Size

When making any recipes, it calls for a certain amount of cooked shredded chicken. If you prepare 1 pound of cooked boneless chicken breast cooks about 2 ½ cups of shredded chicken.

I love to stock my freezer with cooked chicken so I can use it for a quick weeknight meal. See What to Make with Shredded Chicken for many ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Best Chicken to Use?

It is best to use boneless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs when you are wanting to shred chicken. This will prevent any bones mixing into the shredded chicken if using bone-in chicken.

How to Store Leftover Shredded Chicken

Shredded chicken is great to meal prep for lunch and dinners during the week. Store the leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days in the refrigerator. I like to add a little liquid when storing the chicken to keep it from drying out.

Can I Freeze Shredded Chicken?

I like to freeze the chicken in individual portions so that I can just grab it when I’m cooking. This is a big help and makes dinner so easy. Placed the cooled shredded chicken in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.

Can I Add Spices to Cook Chicken?

Yes, feel free to add in ½ tsp of onion powder, garlic powder, or any seasoning your prefer for even more flavor.

Recipes to Make with Shredded Chicken

Make sure to let us know by leaving us a comment if you use these tips to shred your cooked chicken. We love to hear from you.

Print Recipe
5 from 12 votes

How to Shred Chicken

Learn how to shred chicken easily with your KitchenAix or hand Mixer. Save time and shred a ton of meat in just seconds! How to make shredded chicken.
Prep Time2 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time17 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6
Calories: 57kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Place the chicken in a large stock pot. Season with the salt and pepper.
  • Cover the chicken in the pot with water making sure that it’s more than 1 inch over the chicken breasts.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat.
  • Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover.
  • Cook until the chicken is cooked through (chicken will be completely white when cooked) and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This generally takes approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size and quantity of the chicken breasts that you are cooking.
  • Remove chicken and allow it to cool so that the chicken can be handled, then shred based on your preference and the chicken is ready to enjoy!

Video

Notes

There are multiple options when shredding your chicken. Here are our 5 easy ways. 
Use your Hands to Shred Chicken – After the chicken is cooked through, allow it to cool enough to handle but make sure that the chicken is still warm. Use your hands to pull the chicken apart into smaller pieces for your favorite recipes. 
Use 2 Forks – After the chicken is cooked through, allow it to cool enough to handle on a cutting board but make sure that the chicken is still warm. Place 2 forks into the center of the chicken breasts and pull the chicken apart in the opposite direction.  Continue this process until the chicken breasts are shedded into even pieces. 
Use a Hand Held Mixer – Place the cooked chicken breasts in a large mixing bowl. Use a hand held mixer on low speed to break apart the chicken into pieces. Continue this process until all the chicken is shredded. 
Use a Stand Up Mixer – Place the cooked chicken breasts in the bowl of a stand up mixer with a paddle attachment. Mix on low speed to break apart the chicken into pieces. Continue this process until all the chicken is shredded.
Use a Large Kitchen Knife – Place the cooked chicken on a cutting board. Use a large knife to dice or slice the chicken based on your preference to be used in your favorite recipes. 
How to Store Leftover Chicken:  Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days or freeze in a freezer safe container for a bag for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Calories: 57kcal | Protein: 11g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.4g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 32mg | Sodium: 58mg | Potassium: 185mg | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.2mg

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About the Author

Hi, I’m Carrie. Welcome to Eating on a Dime!

I’m on a mission to help you cook delicious meals without busting your budget. Together we are going to cook real food… for real families!

5 from 12 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Kaylon says:

    5 stars
    This tip saves us so much time!! ty for sharing

  2. Roger says:

    5 stars
    tried this for a big dinner , fast and easy

  3. Garrett says:

    5 stars
    You made shredding chicken so simple! Thanks for the tip!

  4. Lucy says:

    5 stars
    Great recipe!

  5. Haylee says:

    5 stars
    This is the only way I shred chicken now! Thanks for the tip!

  6. Karina says:

    5 stars
    I never thought about shredding chicken using my mixers! Thank you so much!

  7. Lizzy says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for the help!

  8. Christina says:

    5 stars
    Thanks for sharing!

  9. Christina says:

    5 stars
    Love these easy tips!

  10. Elizabeth says:

    5 stars
    I’ve been doing this for years. I love it.

  11. Salvatore Schol says:

    Big gratitude! ?

  12. Cyndi Ralston says:

    I wonโ€™t ever shred chicken any other way ever again! Thank you for the tip!

  13. Esther says:

    Have used my mixer for shredding, for as long as I can remember. Best shortcut!
    Also, I invested in a vacuum sealer. I live alone, but cook enough for at least 4 people. By using the vacuum sealer, I can freeze leftovers without worrying about freezer burn. This is how I’m able to keep food costs down (that + your recipes).

  14. Corky says:

    What attachment so you use with your stand up mixer?

    1. Carrie says:

      I have used the flat blade beater attachment in my stand up mixer before and it worked great!

  15. Jeannette says:

    I think this is a great idea! Can you do this with meat that has cooled??

    1. Carrie says:

      I have never tried it when it is cooled, but I hear that is works best when the chicken is still warm.