How to Make Shredded Chicken (Instant Pot + Crockpot)

It should be no surprise I am sharing how to make shredded chicken! If you have followed along for a while, you know it is a staple in our house. I usually make a batch each week to have on hand for easy meals in different ways.

While I usually make shredded chicken in the instant pot, I also have done it in the slow cooker. Both ways are super easy and require minimal work. It just depends if you want it to cook all day or if you want it in less than 30 minutes.

Once made, we enjoy it in a bunch of different ways throughout the week. It is like a blank canvas and so versatile. This is how we eat each week and it makes shopping and mealtime so simple. And interesting.

No more boring repeat meals over and over again. Variety is vital when you are staying on track with your health and wellness goals and I hope to help you achieve those.

Ingredients for shredded chicken

• boneless skinless chicken breasts
• water or chicken broth
• salt and pepper

How to make shredded chicken

Instant pot shredded chicken:

1. Pour water or broth into your pressure cooker to cover the bottom.
2. Cook chicken. Add chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Close the lid and make sure it is locked and the valve is set to seal. Set on manual mode for high pressure for 13 minutes. The amount of time will depend on how thick your breasts are. Let the pressure release naturally or turn the valve to venting for quick pressure release.
3. Shred. Remove and add to a dish and shred with 2 forks. Add in some of the liquid from the instant pot to keep it moist.

Crockpot shredded chicken:

1. Pour water or broth into your slow cooker to cover the bottom.
2. Cook chicken. Add chicken breasts and season with salt and pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
3. Shred. Remove and add to a dish and shred with 2 forks. Add in some of the liquid from the slow cooker to keep it moist.

Can you use frozen chicken breasts?

If you forget to defrost your chicken, you can use frozen chicken breasts in the instant pot. The cook time will remain the same.

Can you boil chicken breast to shred?

If you don’t have an instant pot or crockpot, you can boil chicken to shred.

1. Add chicken to a large pot. 
2. Cover with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Let simmer for 10-16 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
3. Remove, let cool for a bit, and shred.

How can you tell when chicken is done?

Chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees. To do so, place a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the chicken. The cooking time can vary depending on the size of your chicken.

How long should chicken rest before shredding?

To get juicy chicken that is easy to shred, allow it to rest for 10 minutes. It should be warm to the touch, but not hot. If you shred it right away, all the juices will release when shredding. Cold chicken will be harder to shred.

What is the difference between pulled chicken and shredded chicken?

Shredded and pulled chicken are the same. They are both cooked until the meat is tender and then the meat is pulled or shredded into bite-size pieces. Pulled usually refers to chicken that is pulled off the bone. Both are great for soups, salads, sandwiches, casseroles, and more!

Don’t waste the cooked chicken juice!

After you are done cooking your chicken, you are left with a decent amount of liquid. Instead of tossing it, use it to cook or flavor recipes! I love cooking rice in it as it adds a nice touch. You can also freeze it for later use.

What is the best way to shred chicken?

There are quite a few ways to shred cooked chicken. I typically use 2 forks as I find this the easiest way and uses the least amount of dishes. That being said, there are other ways that people really enjoy.

1. with 2 forks – probably the easiest way for me, but it does take a little elbow grease. Just simply leave it in the pot or move it to a bowl and use 2 forks to pull apart the chicken.
2. in your stand mixer – put your cooked chicken in the stand mixer bowl and use the paddle attachment at low speed to shred the chicken. While people love this way, I find it really shreds it into small pieces, which I don’t love.
3. with a hand mixer – I have only done this once or twice, but it works well if you don’t have a stand mixer. Add the chicken to a large bowl and shred with the hand mixer on low.

Ways to use shredded chicken

• sandwiches or lettuce wraps – with your favorite sandwich additions
• salad – toss it with some greens and your favorite veggies for an easy-on-the-go meal or for meal prep
• tacos, nachos, or quesadillas
• chicken enchiladas
• casseroles – buffalo chicken casserole or chicken taco casserole
• soups or chilis – try this cheesy chicken soup or creamy mushroom soup
• in a power bowl – add some grains, veggies, and avocado for an easy bowl meal
• chicken salad
• as is – honestly, I love this as is with some veggies and carbs for a complete meal on days we are super busy

Storage

• refrigerator – store chicken in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days.
• freezer – cook according to directions and let the chicken cool completely. Add to a bag (we love these silicon reusable ones) or a freezer dish. You can use a large container or freeze in individual servings. Defrost for a quick and easy protein option. Chicken should last up to 3 months in the freezer.

Recipes that use shredded chicken

• healthy chicken salad with almonds & grapes
• creamy chicken mushroom soup
• chicken taco casserole
• buffalo chicken pasta salad
• bbq chicken stuffed sweet potatoes
• jalapeno popper chicken casserole

If you love quick and easy meals and want to learn how to build a balanced plate, check out our FREE How to Build a Balanced Plate Guide!