Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

Making shredded chicken breast in the crockpot is a game changer when it comes to healthy eating and effortless meal prep! This lean, protein packed food is perfect for adding to salads, wraps, grain bowls, and healthy casseroles—all with little effort. Let your slow cooker do the work, then quickly shred the chicken with a mixer for the easiest, mess-free method. It’s a simple way to save time in the kitchen while keeping meals nutritious and delicious!

I first shared this in 2014, and it was last updated in 2025

Busy parents know that easy recipes are a lifesaver at dinnertime! Thankfully making healthy, delicious meals don’t have to be complicated, and some of my family’s favorites are the simplest to make. The first time I made shredded chicken this way, I couldn’t believe how effortless it was—perfect for quick meals without the hassle!

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Ingredients:

Chicken Broth

Water

Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast– Chicken breasts are perfect, as the large chicken breasts produce the largest amount of meat to use in recipes. You can use chicken thighs, but the meat will be greasier and more fatty.

Minced Garlic

how to make shredded chicken in Crockpot

Spray your crockpot with nonstick spray or use a crockpot liner. Even though this is a liquid recipe, the fat will stick to the crock as the chicken cooks, so spraying the crock makes clean-up a breeze.

Crockpot LinersNonstick Sprays

 

Fill your crock with the broth and add the minced garlic. If you want to add other flavors or seasonings, you can do so here.

Next, add your boneless chicken breasts into the crock filled with chicken broth. You will want the chicken to be in a single layer.

Turn your slow cooker on to low setting and cover the crockpot with the lid. If you seem low on liquid, add a cup of chicken broth or more cups of water to the slow cooker.

Cook on low for 6-8 hours. If you cook on high, the cook time for the chicken will be closer to 3-4 hours.

To test that the chicken is fully cooked, remove and use a meat thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be at least 165 degrees.

Easiest Ways To Shred Chicken

There are several ways to shred the chicken after it is cooked. My favorite is using a Kitchen Aid or a hand mixer, but there is no wrong way.

Kitchen Aid MixersCrockpotsHandheld Mixers

 

Shredding Chicken With Meat Claws

Remove the chicken from the broth with tongs or a deep spoon with holes.

Place the cooked chicken breasts at the bottom of a plate or bowl.

Use two forks or a pair of meat claws to pull the meat apart and shred.

Allow to cool, portion out if needed, and store in the fridge or freezer.

How to shred chicken With kitchenaid

Remove the chicken from the broth with tongs or a deep spoon with holes. (I use a pasta scoop strainer to do mine.)

Place the cooked chicken breasts in the bottom of the mixer bowl.

Add the paddle attachment or a whisk to your Kitchen Aid mixer, and have it ready.

Turn to the lowest setting on the mixer and then watch the consistency of the shredded chicken. The longer it goes, the smaller and finer the shreds.

This should be juicy and tender chicken. As the chicken is shredding, you can add more broth if you want.

Allow to cool, portion out if needed, and store in the fridge or freezer.

How To Shred Chicken With Electric Hand Mixer

If you are using a hand electric mixer, use tongs to remove the chicken from the broth.

Place the cooked chicken breasts in the bottom of a bowl that you can use a hand mixer in.

Use your beaters on a low speed, you may have to start and stop to move the mixer around in the chicken.

Watch the consistency of the shredded chicken for the consistency you want. The longer it mixes the smaller the shreds of chicken are.

This should be juicy chicken and tender chicken, you can add more of the broth if you want as the chicken is shredding.

Remove to serve or to store.

How To Store Crockpot Shredded Chicken

Cooked, shredded chicken can be stored in an airtight container or a Ziploc bag in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. You can also use a food saver to portion the food for storage. I love to meal prep a week’s worth of lunches if I can at a time. This is an easy meal prep with a basic crockpot recipe that makes chicken flavorful every time.

FoodSaversFood Storage Freezer BagRubbermaid Containers

 

Can You Freeze slow cooker shredded chicken?

You can freeze the chicken in airtight containers or food-saver bags for 2-3 months for storage. This may seem like a long time but if sealed right it will last A freezer bag will work as well but I find the quality doesn’t last as long.

Recipes To use Shredded Chicken in

I love to make a whole chicken just for shredding the meat. There are a ton of ways to use shredded chicken, and the recipes below are my favorite ways. Most also work out to low-point Weight Watchers shredded chicken recipes.

• Chicken Stove Top Casserole
• Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup
• Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Bake
• Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe
• Chicken Salad

Alternate Seasonings For Shredded Chicken

• Black Pepper
• Taco Seasoning—Seriously, homemade taco seasoning is the best. If you haven’t made this before, you need to; it’s so easy and tasty.
• Italian Seasoning

Recipes To use Shredded Chicken in

I love to make a whole chicken just for shredding the meat. There are a ton of ways to use shredded chicken, and the recipes below are my favorite ways. Most also work out to low-point Weight Watchers shredded chicken recipes.

• Chicken Stove Top Casserole
• Slow Cooker Chicken Fajita Soup
• Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Bake
• Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup
• Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili Recipe
• Chicken Salad