Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
on Jul 10, 2019, Updated Jan 22, 2025
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For making the most tender chicken for shredding, the slow cooker is terrific. Set-it-and-forget-it, resulting in super moist, soft chicken every time.
If I were to choose one protein to have in the fridge at all times, it would be chicken. If I were to get more specific, it would be cooked shredded chicken, the most versatile protein I know and a great springboard for all kinds of chicken recipes.
And for making the most tender chicken to shred, the slow cooker or crock pot is a terrific cooking method. Almost completely hands-off, set-it-and-forget-it, resulting in super moist and soft chicken every time.
Table of Contents
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Ingredients
- What Kind of Chicken to Cook in the Slow Cooker for Pulling
- Ratio of Liquid to Chicken in Slow Cooker
- How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- How to Shred Chicken
- Leftover Broth from Cooking Chicken
- Storage
- What to Serve With Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Shredded Chicken Recipes
- More Kitchen Tips
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipe
How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Slow Cooker: For making the most tender chicken for shredding, the slow cooker is terrific. Set-it-and-forget-it, resulting in super moist, soft chicken every time.
You can shred any kind of cooked chicken: breast, thighs, drumsticks, whole legs.
Kitchen Smarts
Wings are probably best saved for nibbling or to make stock since getting the meat off of those little bones is more labor than it’s worth. Y
You can shred chicken that has been poached, boiled, grilled, broiled, roasted, baked, sautéed, or steamed. But if you are looking to cook chicken from scratch in order to make shredded chicken, my favorite methods are roasting, poaching, or cooking in the slow cooker.
Serve this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken with Brown Rice Salad, Tomato Panzanella, or Chicken and Rice Soup.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Ingredients
- Chicken – Any kind will work. Read the note below for more.
- Salt and pepper – To taste.
- Chicken broth – This will make the chicken nice and tender and impart a great flavor.
What Kind of Chicken to Cook in the Slow Cooker for Pulling
Your call, any kind works. But, for the absolute easiest-to-shred results, I recommend boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs. Once they are cooked you can shred them right away without having to discard any skin or bones.
The one advantage to using chicken pieces with skin and bones is that they enrich the liquid with even more flavor, so you end up with a richer broth, which can be used in all kinds of ways. You can even use a whole chicken instead of pieces.
Ratio of Liquid to Chicken in Slow Cooker
Use about 1/2 cup of liquid for every pound of chicken. This is a good ratio no matter what kind of chicken you are using, boneless or bone-in.
Use chicken broth if you have it, which will result in a richer cooking liquid with deeper flavor, as well as chicken with a boost of additional flavor. However, if you just want to use plain water, you will still get a lightly flavored chicken broth after the chicken cooks and is removed from the slow cooker.
How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a slow cooker and pour in the broth.
- Cook the chicken: Cook in the slow cooker for 4 to 6 hours, depending on the temperature.
- Shred the chicken: Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then use your fingers or two forks to pull the chicken into shreds or chunks as desired.
How to Shred Chicken
You can shred chicken while it’s still warm, once it’s cooled to room temperature, or when it’s cold from the fridge. Warm is the best because it shreds the most easily, and if smaller shreds are what you are after, it is easier to achieve this while the chicken is still warm. You can use your fingers, which is the easiest way to shred chicken, or you can use two forks to pull apart the meat, especially if it’s hot.
You can shred the chicken as roughly or as finely as you like, in pieces large or small, depending on the texture you are looking for and how you’re using it. I like smaller pieces for soups and enchiladas and burritos and larger chunks for stews and salads.
You can also make shredded chicken in the Instant Pot if your crock pot’s cooking something else. And, to put that chicken to use, don’t miss 30+ Things to Make with Leftover Shredded Chicken!
Leftover Broth from Cooking Chicken
Don’t throw out the cooking liquid! Whether you use water or chicken broth, you’ll want to keep it for use in future recipes. Strain the broth before using it in soups and stews or any recipe of your choice. The broth may be frozen in airtight containers for up to 6 months.
Storage
The chicken will stay good in a sealed container in the fridge for about 1 week. The leftover broth can be frozen in airtight containers for up to 6 months.
What to Serve With Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Shredded Chicken Recipes
- Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Best Chicken Salad
- Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Spicy Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas
More Kitchen Tips
- How to Safely Thaw Frozen Chicken
- 10 Things To Make With Leftover Ground Beef
- 10 Essential Cooking Methods Everyone Should Know
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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken pieces (any kind, but boneless skinless breasts or thighs are the easiest to shred)
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
- 1 cup chicken broth (preferably less-sodium)
Instructions
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a slow cooker, and pour in the broth. Either cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours.
- Remove the chicken from the slow cooker and place on a cutting board. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes, then use your fingers or two forks to pull the chicken in shreds or chunks as desired.
- Strain the broth and reserve for any recipe calling for chicken broth.
Cook time doesn’t need to increase when doubling or tripling recipe?
No, but make sure your chicken isn’t pile too deep in the slow cooker, or that will require more time. Use a big slow cooker, and don’t layer the breasts more than 2 deep.
This is the best recipe I have found for chicken in the slow cooker. And the tip for using your stand mixer to shred it is so good! It worked perfectly. All of your tips and suggestions are great, thank you for sharing.