Looking for a simple way to make flavorful shredded chicken? Look no further than this Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipe that will have your taste buds singing! Whether you’re using boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs, this simple recipe is a great blank canvas for adding extra flavor to your meals.
I absolutely love making shredded chicken in the slow cooker (some refer to it as a crockpot). It’s a great idea for meal prep, and allows you to have chicken ready to go for dinner tonight or later use. Another method would be to use a pressure cooker which not only does this appliance cut down on cooking time, but it also allows you to cook large batches of juicy chicken with minimal effort. Today, I’ll mainly cover how to make shredded chicken in a slow cooker.
Easy Shredded Chicken Recipe in a Slow Cooker
- To start, you’ll need some chicken broth or chicken stock. You can use store-bought or homemade, whichever you prefer. I almost exclusively only use Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium. It’s organic, it tastes great, and lasts a while so I never have to worry about broth going to waste.
- For boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cook in the slow cooker on high temperature for 3-4 hours or 6-7 hours on low temperature. If you’re using bone-in chicken, cook on the longer side of the suggested times.
- After fully cooking the chicken, make sure to check the internal temperature to ensure it has reached at least 165°F.
- Once cooked, take it out of the slow cooker and let it cool for a few minutes on a cutting board.
- If you have a stand mixer or a hand mixer, you can use it to shred the chicken quickly and easily. If not, you can shred the chicken with two forks or your hands.
Shredded Chicken Recipe in an Instant Pot
Steps to making shredded chicken using quick Instant Pot method will be very similar to the slow cooking method. The main difference is the cooking time. It is mainly a matter of personal preference and equipment you have on hand. Results will be almost identical and in the end.
- First, you’ll need to gather some chicken broth or chicken stock. You can either buy it from the store or make your own depending on your preference. Personally, I highly recommend using Better Than Bouillon Organic Roasted Chicken Base, Reduced Sodium, as it offers a great taste and is organic. Plus, it has a long shelf life so you won’t have to worry about wasting any leftover broth.
- For boneless chicken breasts or thighs, cook in the Instant Pot on high pressure for 15 minutes. Then do a quick release, making sure the pressure completely subsided and the lid is easy to open. Do not attempt to force open and give it a little more time. If you’re using bone-in chicken, adjust the cook time to 17 minutes. When I use all 3 packets of Costco’s Organic Chicken Breasts, I set the time to 17 minutes. Be sure to check the internal temperature that it has reached 165 degrees F. Let it cool down and shred with stand mixer, hand mixer, or with two forks.
- NOTE: I love that My Slow Cooker and Instant Pot is a 2-in-1 and highly recommend it!
Now that you have your shredded chicken, it’s time to add some flavor!
- Garlic powder, black pepper, and chili powder are simple ingredients that can make a big impact on your shredded chicken.
- For a Mexican-inspired twist, I always turn to my go-to recipe for slow cooker Mexican shredded chicken. To make it, just mix your shredded chicken with some green chilies, red onion, and salsa, and let it cook on low heat for 3-4 hours. Serve with black beans and corn tortillas for a delicious and easy dinner.
- Mix the shredded chicken with cream of chicken soup for a filling for chicken pot pie.
- If I’m looking for a delicious and easy meal, I absolutely LOVE making crockpot BBQ shredded chicken – it’s another one of my favorites! Mix your shredded chicken with your favorite BBQ sauce and cook on low heat for 2-3 hours. Serve on a sweet bun with some coleslaw for a flavorful sandwich.
- Lastly, I love using my shredded chicken for salads. Mix it with mayo and celery for a classic chicken salad, or mix it with some buffalo sauce for a spicy twist.
Raw Chicken Safety and Proper Temperatures
When cooking any type of chicken, it’s important to cook it to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit or higher to ensure that harmful bacteria such as salmonella are eliminated. This temperature also prevents cross-contamination with other foods that may be eaten raw. Even if the chicken appears cooked on the outside, it may still be raw on the inside, which can be dangerous.
Color and texture alone cannot determine if the chicken is properly cooked, so a meat thermometer should be used.
When cooking shredded chicken in a slow cooker or Instant Pot, it’s vital to fully cook the chicken before shredding it. This guarantees that all parts of the chicken have reached the appropriate temperature. Properly cooked chicken also has the best texture and flavor, in addition to ensuring food safety.
Overcooked chicken can be dry and tough, while undercooked chicken can be chewy and unpleasant to eat. By cooking chicken to the appropriate temperature, you can ensure that it’s juicy, flavorful, and safe to eat.
Storing Chicken
Once you’ve seasoned your shredded chicken to your liking, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer. Be sure to label the container with the date and actual nutritional content so you know what you’re working with when you go to use it.
Organic vs. Non-Organic Chicken Breasts
I choose to use only organic chicken breasts in my shredded chicken recipe for a few reasons.
Firstly, conventionally raised chicken often contains antibiotics, hormones, and other harmful chemicals, which are not present in organic chicken. This ensures that the chicken is of high quality and free from any harmful substances. Organic chicken is raised more humanely, with access to the outdoors, resulting in healthier and happier chickens. This ensures that the chicken is raised in an ethical and sustainable manner.
Additionally, organic chicken has a more natural and pronounced flavor due to being raised without artificial growth hormones. This makes for a more delicious shredded chicken that is perfect for use in a variety of dishes.
EASY SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN RECIPE (INSTANT POT)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Add chicken to the 6 qt slow cooker.
- Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- In a small cup mix 1 tsp of bouillon with 1 cup of water and mix well to combine.
- Add the 1 cup of bouillon and the 2 remaining cups of water to the pot.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.
- Once the chicken is done, remove from the slow cooker and put it into a large bowl. Use two forks or a hand mixer to shred the chicken.
Notes
The possibilities are endless! No matter how you choose to use your shredded chicken, it’s a great way to simplify meal prep and have easy dinner options on hand. Give this easy and flavorful chicken recipe a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Did you make this Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipe (Instant Pot)? If so, be sure to share your feedback and give it a rating 🙂
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