Description
This easy and versatile Crockpot Shredded Chicken recipe delivers tender, juicy chicken breasts slow-cooked to perfection. Ideal for meal prep or quick addition to salads, tacos, sandwiches, or pasta, this recipe requires minimal hands-on time and can be customized with your favorite seasonings.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 8 ounces each)
Seasonings
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Other seasonings as desired (such as garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, Italian seasoning)
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Place the chicken breasts in a single layer at the bottom of the slow cooker. Season them evenly with kosher salt, black pepper, and any other desired seasonings to infuse flavor.
- Cook: Cover the slow cooker and cook the chicken on LOW heat for 1½ to 2½ hours. Adjust cooking time if using different cuts of chicken or if cooking on HIGH, referring to additional recipe notes.
- Check Doneness: Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. For bone-in pieces, avoid touching the bone with the thermometer. Remove the chicken about 5 to 10 degrees before the target temperature as it will continue to cook while resting.
- Rest the Chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate or cutting board and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Alternatively, you can rest it inside the slow cooker if you’re planning to shred it there.
- Shred Chicken: Using two forks, a hand mixer, or your fingers, shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Serve immediately or use in your favorite recipes like tacos, salads, or casseroles.
Notes
- Cooking times can vary depending on the cut of chicken and slow cooker model. Bone-in chicken breasts or thighs may require longer cooking time.
- For high heat cooking, cooking time will be shorter—refer to your slow cooker’s manual or tested recipe notes.
- The shredded chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Seasonings can be adjusted to suit dietary preferences; adding herbs like thyme or rosemary adds aroma without extra calories.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 2 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
