How to Make Shredded Chicken (3 Ways and a Hack)

How many recipes use shredded chicken? Welp, on my site alone, about 56! This simple ingredient is often called for already cooked, but none of the recipes will tell you how to get from point A to B. Here we give you 3 easy ways to make shredded chicken and one quick hack.

We, of course, shared all of our recipes that use shredded chicken below the recipe card!

Do You Use Chicken Breast or Chicken Thighs to Make Shredded Chicken?

The short answer is that unlike other types of protein, you can use any cut to make shredded chicken. Boneless skinless chicken breasts, thighs (dark meat) even chicken wings and legs.

Due to the nature of the fibers, nearly any cut can easily be shred making it a great item for nor creating waste.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Slow Cooker

Using a crock pot to make shredded chicken is probably the most classic way, which is essentially a countertop braising method. It is easy, relatively hands off and creates moist and juicy chicken. Refer to the recipe card for exact measurements making this easy recipe for homemade shredded chicken.

1. Add Flavor. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings (see our list!). Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker.
2. Keep it Moist. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken. This helps keep the chicken moist and adds flavor.
3. Cook. Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker and the size/thickness of the chicken pieces.
4. Shred. Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, use tongs or a fork to transfer the chicken to a cutting board or a large bowl. Use two forks to shred or you can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quicker shredding.
5. Reseason. Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix it with the juices for additional flavor or to keep warm until you need to use it.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot

Using an Instant Pot or other electric pressure cooker is an even quicker way to achieve the same results of succulent and juicy shredded chicken at home.

1. Add Flavor. Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
2. Make it Moist. Place the seasoned chicken in the Instant Pot. Pour the chicken broth over the chicken.
3. Cook. Close the Instant Pot lid and set the vent to the sealing position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on the Instant Pot and set the timer to cook for 10 minutes on high pressure for chicken breasts or 15 minutes for chicken thighs. Note that it will take some time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
4. Release. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5-10 minutes. Then, carefully switch the vent to the “Venting” position to release any remaining pressure. Once the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped, carefully open the Instant Pot lid.
5. Shred. Use tongs or a fork to transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board or a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quicker shredding.
6. Keep Warm. Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot and mix it with the juices for additional flavor. Enjoy your Instant Pot shredded chicken!

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Oven

You can of course make shredded chicken in the oven if you don’t have the other special equipment. You will need a small amount of oil to keep the chicken moist, as this method is the most likely to dry it out and no one wants dry chicken!

1. Prep. Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil for easy clean up. Place the chicken breasts or thighs on a baking sheet, making sure they are spread out in a single layer with some space between them.
2. Keep them Moist. Drizzle the chicken with a little olive oil or lightly coat with cooking spray to help prevent them from drying out.
3. Add Flavor. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
4. Cook. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces.
5. Rest. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes to allow the juices to absorb into the fibers.
6. Shred. Use two forks to shred the chicken directly on the baking sheet or transfer it to a cutting board or a large bowl before shredding. Drizzle the chicken in the juices leftover in the rimmed baking sheet and toss.

Best Seasonings for Shredded Chicken

Here are some popular seasonings for shredded chicken breasts. Use these in addition to the salt and pepper. Generally speaking, 1-2 teaspoons is a good amount to add flavor and not overwhelm. Choose flavors that will complement the recipe your chicken is intended for.

Feel free to mix and match these seasonings according to your taste preferences and the flavor profile.

Ways to Use Shredded Chicken

Shredded chicken can be used in numerous dishes. Here are some popular ways to use it!

• Tacos: Fill soft or hard taco shells with shredded chicken, along with your favorite toppings such as lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and sour cream.
• Salads: Add shredded chicken to salads for a protein boost. It pairs well with greens, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and your choice of dressing.
• Sandwiches and Wraps: Use shredded chicken as a filling for sandwiches, wraps, or pitas. Add lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your preferred condiments for a satisfying meal.
• Soups and Stews: Incorporate shredded chicken into soups and stews for added protein and flavor. It works well in chicken noodle soup, tortilla soup, chili, and more.
• Casseroles: Use shredded chicken in casseroles such as chicken and rice, chicken enchiladas, chicken Alfredo bake, or chicken pot pie.
• Stir-Fries: Add shredded chicken to stir-fries along with vegetables and your choice of sauce. Serve over rice or noodles for a quick and tasty meal.
• Pasta Dishes: Use shredded chicken in pasta dishes such as chicken Alfredo, chicken pesto pasta, or chicken primavera.
• Quesadillas and Nachos: Use shredded chicken as a filling for quesadillas or as a topping for nachos along with cheese, beans, salsa, and sour cream.
• Chicken Salad: Mix shredded chicken with mayonnaise, celery, onions, and your choice of seasonings to make chicken salad. Serve it on sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups.
• Pizza Toppings: Use shredded chicken as a topping for homemade or store-bought pizza. Combine it with barbecue sauce, cheese, onions, and cilantro for a BBQ chicken pizza.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, but the possibilities are endless when it comes to using shredded chicken in your cooking. Feel free to get creative and experiment with different flavors and cuisines!

How to Shred Chicken

The great thing about shredded chicken is that you don’t need to cook it yourself! One of my favorite hacks is to buy a rotisserie chicken already cooked from the grocery store.

You can grab cooked chicken from the deli and use any of these methods to meal prep or make any shredded chicken recipe.

There are three popular methods of shredding chicken. If you use a different method, I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

• Fork method – Arguably the most common method of shredding chicken is to use two forks. Simply add the chicken to a bowl and use two forks to break the cooked chicken apart into pieces.
• KitchenAid method – Probably my favorite method is throwing the chicken into the bowl of my stand mixer and letting it do all the work! Alternatively, you can use a regular mixing bowl and a hand mixer.
• Plastic bag – Last but not least, you can add the chicken to a gallon sized airtight plastic bag and use your hands to shred it. This option is nice because your hands stay mess-free.

There are even more recipes that use shredded chicken below the recipe!

How to Make Homemade Shredded Chicken (3 Ways!)

5 from 5 votes

Have a recipe that calls for shredded chicken? I've got THREE easy methods to make chicken, plus my favorite hacks for how to shred it!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Print Recipe Save Saved! Rate this Recipe

Equipment

• Instant Pot
• Instant Pot Liners
• Slow Cooker
• Slow Cooker Liners
• Rimmed Baking Sheet
• Parchment Paper

Ingredients

• 2-3 pounds boneless , skinless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth , for slow cooker or Instant Pot methods
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil , for oven method
• Salt and pepper to taste , or other seasonings

Instructions

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crock Pot

• Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
• Place the seasoned chicken in the slow cooker. Pour the chicken broth or water over the chicken.
• Cover the slow cooker with its lid and cook on low heat for 6-8 hours or on high heat for 3-4 hours. Cooking times may vary depending on your slow cooker and the size/thickness of the chicken pieces. Chicken breasts should be an internal temperature of 165°F and chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 170°F.
• Once the chicken is fully cooked and tender, use tongs or a fork to transfer the chicken to a cutting board or a large bowl.
• Use two forks to shred the chicken. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quicker shredding.
• Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and mix it with the juices for additional flavor.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot

• Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
• Place the seasoned chicken in the Instant Pot. Pour the chicken broth or water over the chicken.
• Close the Instant Pot lid and set the vent to the sealing position. Select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting on the Instant Pot and set the timer to cook for 10 minutes on high pressure for chicken breasts or 15 minutes for chicken thighs. Note that it will take some time for the Instant Pot to come to pressure before the cooking time begins.
• Once the cooking time is complete, allow the pressure to naturally release for 5-10 minutes. Then, carefully switch the vent to the “Venting” position to release any remaining pressure.
• Once the pressure has been released and the float valve has dropped, carefully open the Instant Pot lid. Check the chicken for correct internal temperature. Chicken breasts should be an internal temperature of 165°F and chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 170°F.
• Use tongs or a fork to transfer the cooked chicken to a cutting board or a large bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken. You can also use a stand mixer with a paddle attachment for quicker shredding.
• Return the shredded chicken to the Instant Pot and mix it with the juices for additional flavor and to keep warm.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Oven

• Preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Place the chicken breasts or thighs on a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil. Make sure they are spread out in a single layer with some space between so they do not crowd each other.
• To prevent drying out, drizzle a little olive oil over the chicken breasts or spray them lightly with cooking spray.
• Season the chicken with salt, pepper, and any other desired seasonings.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces. Chicken breasts should be an internal temperature of 165°F and chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 170°F.
• Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Use two forks to shred the chicken directly on the baking sheet or transfer it to a cutting board or a large bowl before shredding. Drizzle the chicken with the leftover juices in the rimmed baking sheet and toss to coat.
• If you've tried one of these methods, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or star ratings!

Nutrition

Calories: 179 kcal, Carbohydrates: 0.5 g, Protein: 33 g, Fat: 4 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1 g, Trans Fat: 0.02 g, Cholesterol: 97 mg, Sodium: 187 mg, Potassium: 593 mg, Sugar: 0.1 g, Vitamin A: 45 IU, Vitamin C: 2 mg, Calcium: 9 mg, Iron: 1 mg

Author: Jessica Formicola

Calories: 179

Course: Main Course, Main Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: homemade shredded chicken, how to make shredded chicken, shredded chicken in the instant pot, shredded chicken in the oven, shredded chicken in the slow cooker

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Recipes that Use Shredded Chicken