Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipe

Having cooked, ready-to-use chicken on hand can be a total game-changer for meal prep. This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe is incredibly simple and versatile. It requires minimal effort and delivers perfectly tender, juicy chicken every time. Because this recipe is so easy, you can make a big batch on the weekend to use in a variety of quick meals throughout the week.

Ingredients & What You’ll Need

Gather these simple ingredients to make a batch of flavorful slow cooker shredded chicken.

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (4 lbs): You can also use chicken thighs.
• Salt (1 tsp): Sea salt adds a great flavor.
• Black Pepper (¼ tsp): It adds a bit of simple seasoning.
• Garlic Powder (½ tsp): This adds a savory note.
• Bay Leaf (1): This infuses the chicken with an herbal aroma.
• Salted Butter (2 tbsp): No need to melt it beforehand.
• Chicken Broth (14.5 oz can): This provides the cooking liquid to keep the chicken moist.

How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

This recipe is incredibly simple, requiring just a few minutes of prep for hours of effortless cooking.

Making the Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

First, add your chicken breasts or thighs to the slow cooker. Next, sprinkle the salt, pepper, and garlic powder over the chicken. Then, lay the bay leaf and butter on top of the chicken. After that, pour the entire can of chicken broth over everything. Place the lid on the slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. If you use frozen chicken, keep the lid on the entire time and cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.

Shredding and Storing the Chicken

Once the cooking time is done, you should drain most of the chicken broth, but leave about a half-cup in the slow cooker with the chicken. Now, you have two options for shredding. You can use two forks to pull the chicken apart, or you can use a hand-held mixer and use the beaters on low speed to shred the chicken in just a few seconds. The recipe makes about 6-7 cups of shredded chicken. You can use it right away in your favorite recipe, or you can refrigerate it for up to 3 days.

Tips for Perfect Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

• Easy Shredding: Using a hand-held mixer is the fastest and easiest way to shred a large batch of chicken. It saves you a lot of time and effort.
• Freezing for Later: This recipe is great for freezing. Place the shredded chicken in freezer bags or containers in 2-cup portions. Add a splash of the remaining chicken broth to the chicken; this will help keep it from getting freezer burn. You can use the frozen chicken within 3 months.
• Cooking with Frozen Chicken: If you start with frozen chicken breasts, you should cook them for a bit longer. Also, remember to keep the lid on the entire time so the heat stays in the slow cooker.

Final Thoughts

This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe is a must-have in your kitchen. It is a simple yet powerful tool for meal prepping and making weeknight dinners easy. You can use this versatile shredded chicken in everything from tacos and sandwiches to salads and soups, so it is a true kitchen staple.