This Crockpot shredded chicken is so easy, juicy, flavorful, and perfect for meal prep! It’s an all-purpose recipe that can be used to make wraps, sandwiches, tacos, and even casseroles.

Shredded chicken on a white plate with 2 forks

One of my favorite things to make in the slow cooker, is simple shredded chicken (or pulled chicken). I can use it for so many things to use my family, and it’s so easy and convenient. Chicken breasts are lightly seasoned then slowly cooked in the Crockpot all day, to make tender chicken that easily shreds.

Table of Contents hide

1 How to Make Shredded Chicken

2 How to Use Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

3 Chef’s Tips

4 Crockpot Shredded Chicken

How to Make Shredded Chicken

Place thawed chicken breasts in the slow cooker, season with salt and pepper.
If desired, drizzle with a little bit of olive oil for extra flavor. You can also season with poultry seasoning, or garlic and/or onion granules if desired.
Cover with the lid, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
Remove the chicken from the Crockpot, and shred with 2 forks or in a bowl with a hand held or stand mixer.

Steps how to cook shredded chicken in the crockoot

How to Use Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

After you shred the chicken, either use right away in your favorite recipes. Or store in the fridge tightly covered for up to 4 days. You can also freeze it in a sealed freezer bag for up to 2 months.

As for how to use shredded or pulled chicken, here are some ideas:

Use in tacos or nachos – before cooking the chicken, season with taco seasoning.
Make salsa chicken – to the Crockpot, just add a jar of salsa and let the chicken cook with the salsa. Once shredded, mix in the chicken with the salsa and serve in tacos, sandwiches etc.
Use in casseroles!
Make a pasta dish, or a pasta salad.
Add to soups or salads – make chicken noodle soup.
Add to pizza – this shredded chicken is perfect for a pizza topping.
Great for canapes, make pinwheels or bite sized sandwiches.

Chef’s Tips

You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs to make slow cooker shredded chicken.
Do not overcook the chicken – You want the chicken to stay moist, but you also need to make sure that it easily shreds so keep checking on it.
Use with your favorite sauce such as ranch, hot sauce, salsa, you name it!
You can easily double this recipe.
Shred the chicken using 2 forks, your hands, or a mixer.
This slow cooker cooked chicken is also perfect for dicing and slicing.
Thaw the chicken in the fridge before you put it in your slow cooker, as cooking frozen chicken in the slow cooker might not be safe. Reason behind it, this is that frozen chicken will take a while to defrost, and this means that it might stay at room temperature for too long and that time can be enough for harmful bacteria to develop.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Keyword: crockpot shredded chicken, slow cooker shredded chicken

Cook Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours

Servings: cups

Calories: 86kcal

Equipment

Crockpot

Ingredients

▢ 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts about 8 ounces
▢ salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

Place the chicken in the slow cooker, and season well with salt and pepper (and any other seasonings if using).
Cover with the lid, and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
When the chicken is ready, check for doneness by inserting the thermometer in the center of the chicken, and the internal temperature of the chicken should read 165°F or 75°C.
Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes, then shred it while it’s still warm using a hand mixer, 2 forks, or your hands.

Video

Notes

You can use boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs to make slow cooker shredded chicken.
Do not overcook the chicken – You want the chicken to stay moist, but you also need to make sure that it easily shreds so keep checking on it.
Use with your favorite sauce such as ranch, hot sauce, salsa, you name it!
You can easily double this recipe.
Shred the chicken using 2 forks, your hands, or a mixer.
This slow cooker cooked chicken is also perfect for dicing and slicing.
Thaw the chicken in the fridge before you put it in your slow cooker, as cooking frozen chicken in the slow cooker might not be safe. Reason behind it, this is that frozen chicken will take a while to defrost, and this means that it might stay at room temperature for too long and that time can be enough for harmful bacteria to develop.

Nutrition