How to Shred Chicken

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. 

• 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 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 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.