Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

On crazy weeknights or weekends when you need some protein prepped for the week, this easy recipe is a sanity saver. It’s prepped in minutes and can be shredded to use in a variety of meals. Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is a weekly staple around here.

It takes less than five minutes of prep work, uses basic pantry spices that you already have, and gives you perfectly juicy, tender meat that falls apart with a fork every single time. We love to use this in a variety of meals like salads, soups, and even quick taco nights.

 

What is Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken?

Slow cooker shredded chicken is a simple method for gently cooking chicken breasts or thighs in a crockpot with liquid and seasonings until tender enough to shred or pull apart. This recipe is loved because it produces juicy, highly versatile protein with minimal hands-on effort.

Key Takeaways

• Hands-off prep and only takes 5 minutes!
• Easy pantry ingredients you have on hand.
• Perfect recipe for meal prep.
• Always juicy, every single time.
• Naturally gluten-free.

Ingredient Notes

Chicken Breasts: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts; they will absorb the seasoning mixture and stay tender when shredded.

Chicken Broth: Keeps the meat super juicy and prevents scorching on the bottom of the slow cooker without diluting the spices.

Celery Seed: Adds a subtle, warm, earthy flavor that gives the chicken a comforting, slow-simmered depth.

Garlic Salt: An essential seasoning that gives a rich garlic flavor.

Lemon Pepper Seasoning: Brings a bright citrus punch with a mild kick of black pepper.

How to Make Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

1. Unpack your chicken breasts. Pat dry with a paper towel and place them into the slow cooker.
2. Pour in the chicken broth.
3. Sprinkle the seasoning, celery seeds, garlic salt, and lemon pepper.
4. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 4 hours.
5. Once cooked, it is time to shred. Take the chicken breast out of the slow cooker into a deep bowl and shred using 2 forks. It can also be shredded in the slow cooker, but be careful as there is hot liquid. Another technique is to take the chicken breasts out and place them in a bowl, and for shredding, you can use a hand mixer.
6. Once the chicken has been shredded, place it back into the slow cooker and mix well with the remaining liquid. Set aside until ready to serve.

Pro Tips for the Best Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

• Keep the slow cooker on low if possible for the best, tender chicken.
• Use a hand mixer to speed things up instead of two forks. Just add the warm chicken breasts to a bowl and use a hand mixer on low speed to quickly shred the chicken in less than 30 seconds.
• Always monitor the temperature; check the internal temperature and ensure it is at least 165°F to be fully cooked.

Variations and Substitutions

• Taco Style Chicken – Swap the chicken broth for a jar of salsa and 1 package of taco seasoning.
• Italian Herb Chicken – Add 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning, a pinch of red pepper flakes, and swap the broth for marinara.
• Buffalo Chicken – Mix in 1/2 cup of Frank’s RedHot sauce and 2 tablespoons of melted butter into the shredded chicken for the perfect meat for sliders.
• Chicken Thighs – Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to Serve with Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

• Taco or burrito bowls
• Sandwiches and sliders
• Stuffed in baked potatoes
• Crispy salads
• Cheesy quesadillas

Storage and Reheating

Refrigerator

Store cooled, shredded chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Freezer

Pack the cooled, shredded chicken in freezer-safe bags or glass containers for up to 3 months. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.

Reheating

Microwave in 30-second intervals in a microwave-safe dish; add a splash of water or broth to restore the moisture.

More Slow Cooker Recipes

Soups, Stews & Chowders

Lasagna Soup in Slow Cooker Recipe

Pork Recipes

Slow Cooker Green Chili (Pork Chili Verde)

Beef Recipes

Slow Cooker Mongolian Beef

Chicken Recipes

Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Satay Recipe

With a trusty slow cooker and a few pantry ingredients, you can easily make this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken and use it up all week in a variety of meals. This recipe makes dinnertime and meal prep a breeze!