When it comes to easy meal ideas, our Crockpot is the king of the kitchen. It was perfect for when I was working outside of the home and it’s fabulous now that I’m working from home. There is one staple that I depend on a lot when it comes to slow cooker recipes — Crockpot Shredded Chicken.
It’s the basis for so many of our shredded chicken Crockpot recipes! I used to depend a lot on rotisserie chicken, but once you learn how easy it is to make shredded chicken on your own, you’ll never go back! You can make as much shredded chicken as you need with ease which makes it great for meal planning too!
THE BASICS OF CROCKPOT SHREDDED CHICKEN
Besides being easy, I also think that the slow cooker is the best way to shred chicken. You get moist chicken that has great flavor and works great in any Crockpot chicken recipes your family might love. (I’ve also discovered that it works great when you add it to Crockpot Macaroni and Cheese too!)
To get started you only need three things!
- Your slow cooker
- Chicken
- Chicken stock or water
It’s really that easy to make shredded chicken that you’ll love!
You can choose between water and chicken stock. Either works well. But I find that my Crockpot shredded chicken has a bit of extra flavor when I use chicken stock, so it’s the way I usually go. But if you’ve got the chicken and don’t have any stock, water works too! No worries!
However you decide to make it, just be sure you add the liquid! It’s what makes the chicken juicy and super easy to shred!
HOW TO MAKE SHREDDED CHICKEN IN CROCKPOT
Although you only need your chicken and liquid, I usually season the chicken as well. If I’m planning to use the slow cooker shredded chicken for a variety of other recipes, I’ll just use some salt and pepper or seasoned salt so it works in any recipe I make that week.
Some of my usual seasonings for shredded chicken include:
- Salt
- Pepper
- Seasoned salt
- Onion powder
- Garlic powder or garlic salt
For most of our Crockpot chicken recipes, I use about 2 pounds of chicken which is usually about 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts. For 2 pounds of chicken, I use about a cup of chicken stock. The general ratio I follow is a 1/2 cup for each pound of chicken I’m cooking. So 1/2 cup for every two chicken breasts.
This has worked for making small batches of shredded chicken and larger batches of shredded chicken.
You can freeze the chicken so sometimes I make a bigger batch to stash away!
HOW TO COOK CHICKEN IN A CROCK POT
It’s easy to cook your chicken in the Crockpot. All you need to do is put the chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker and then cover with your liquid and season. Then you can either use the LOW setting and let the chicken cook for a good chunk of the day or use the HIGH setting and have it done in just a few hours.
HOW LONG TO COOK CHICKEN IN CROCK POT? On LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Cooking chicken in the Crockpot is a really flexible option. Recently, I even cooked a batch on HIGH for 3 hours and it wasn’t quite as tender as I wanted it to be. We had to run out to the batting cages for an hour, so I change the temperature to LOW while we were gone.
When we got home, the shredded cooked chicken was so juicy and tender! It was perfect!
HOW TO MAKE SHREDDED CHICKEN
Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup chicken broth or water
- seasonings (as desired)
Instructions
- Place chicken breasts in the bottom of the slow cooker.
- Season as desired.
- Cover with liquid.
- Cook on On LOW for 5-6 hours or on HIGH for 3-4 hours.
Notes
Nutrition
HOW TO SHRED CHICKEN
Once your chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit (so it’s safe to eat), you’re ready to work your magic and create your Crockpot shredded chicken!
Take the chicken out of the slow cooker and put it on a plate. While it’s still warm, use two forks to pull it apart. You can shred it to your desired consistency. Sometimes I keep the shreds bigger because it works great in things like soups, pasta, and in chicken and dumplings!
But if I’m planning to use the slow cooker shredded chicken for things like tacos, nachos, or salads, I pull it into finer shreds. Again, it’s that flexible! You could even do half and half!
Some of our favorite things to make with shredded chicken include:
- Slow Cooker Chicken Noodle Soup
- Chicken Soft Tacos
- Chicken and Noodles
- “Crack” Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Salad
- White Chicken Chili
These get made pretty often in our house, especially during the busy times of year like Fall and the holiday season.
No matter when you make Crockpot shredded chicken, it’s easy to make and is a great staple to build meals with! Plus it gives things that homemade taste that makes everything taste better!
Comment below and tells us about your favorite recipe that uses slow cooker shredded chicken!
(If you’d rate our recipe as well, we would appreciate it! Just click the number of stars you’d give this recipe!)
Stacie says
That looks so good! I have to do this. Shredded chicken is perfect for soups, pasta dishes, and barbecue sandwiches.
Audrey says
The best way to shred chicken is in a crock pot. We’ll use it a lot in the cooler months. No house should be without a crock pot!
Mariah says
I also just learned about using a hand mixer to shred it once it’s cooked!
Peter G says
Chicken soup, taco, and salads. Great for chicken salads for summer nights or lunches.
Margaret Smith says
I have never made Shredded Chicken before, but it sounds wonderful. Going to give it a try.
Wilford Raney says
My
Favorite thing to
Make with shredded chicken is chicken and
Dumplings or chicken pasta salad.
This recipe
You shared
Looks wonderful
Adrienne Gordon says
BBQ shredded chicken is my favorite.
BIRDIE SKOLFIELD says
chicken adobo : with home made adobo and carrots & onions garlic and jalapenos just stew with 6 chicken breasts for six hours then shred and stir all together serve in soft corn tortillas with jack cheese soooooooooooooooooo good
Mariah says
This sounds AMAZING! My husband would love it.
Mommy Moment says
I love how this recipe is super simple and can be used in many different recipes.
We would use it for BBQ Chicken Quesadillas!
Mariah says
I’ve never actually combined the two! BBQ Chicken — yes! Chicken Quesadillas — yes! Together? Sounds delicious!
Sarah L says
I like to use shredded chicken with BBQ sauce on sesame buns.
Thanks for the contest.
Scott says
I’ve made pulled pork in the crock pot many time, but not chicken. Don’t know why, it should be just as easy!
Anne Higgins says
I don’t (YET) own a slow cooker so I cannot provide my favorite receipe – but am anxious to try some!
Jeni Hawkins says
Do you have ANY idea how much time you just saved me!? OMG I have no idea why this never occurred to me… but you just made my life so much easier! Thank you!
Heather says
I’m glad you shared this! We just got a crock pot after not using one FOREVER & I need to brush up on how to use it so it won’t just get left in the cupboard!
Amy says
I love how shredded chicken is so easy to prepare! The endless possibilities of sauces make it a real winner!!
Kathy says
I love having shredded chicken. You can use it with so many recipes. I love how simple this recipe is too.
harold says
I love to add shredded chicken to spaghetti sauce and serve over pasta!
Susan Christy says
I like shredded chicken tacos in the crockpot.
Abigail Gibson says
I love making shredded chicken bbq sandwiches with a slow cooker. I add a few extra ingredients to bring out that wow factor.
Rachel says
I love making up a big batch of shredded chicken. I can use it all week long in different recipes. My kids love when I make chicken pot pie.
Heather says
I definitely need to make this! We use shredded chicken in a lot of recipes and I like to have it on hand for easy salads. But I really dislike the shredding so this is a perfect solution!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
This looks perfect to try this weekend!! Looks delicious!
Sherry says
I need to try making shredded chicken. What a great time saver it would be for other meals. And I love chicken salad.
Cynthia C says
I use shredded chicken to make my chicken pot pie.
Amanda L. says
My favorite crockpot recipe to use shredded chicken is BBQ chicken sandwiches. It’s so simple to make and is very delicious!
Melissa says
i like to use shredded chicken in chicken tacos with cheese! yum!
mami2jcn says
My favorite is chicken soup.
Amber says
I love making a hearty chicken noodle soup with shredded chicken, or adding it to chili!
Mariah says
We have our recipe coming up soon! We had a cold going around the house and it was so comforting!
kathy Persons says
Chicken Alfredo
diane baum says
my favorite is Matzo Ball soup with chicken
Mariah says
This sounds amazing! I think I need to learn how to make Matzo ball soup!
Mellissa C says
Pulled Chicken sandwiches!
McKim says
I use shredded chicken in taco salads a lot.
beth shepherd says
We love chicken tacos and taco soup. Thank you!
Debra Guillen says
One of my favorites is chicken and dumplings…definitely comfort food.
Stacey Werner says
I make shredded chicken in the crockpot at least twice a month. My favorite thing to make with it is tacos… family favorite!
David Hollingsworth says
Probably homemade chicken soup.
Natalie says
My favorite recipe that uses slow cooker shredded chicken is Shredded Chicken Lettuce Wraps! Healthy and tasty!!
Sarah says
Shredded chicken is easy to make in the slow cooker. I love having it on hand for quick dinners!
Cindy Merrill says
I make easy Mini pot pies with shredded chicken- just add a cream sauce and top with biscuit dough- dinner ready in 30 minutes or less.
Jillian Burton says
I tried a recipe recently that I loved! It is basically derived from a few different recipes and I adapted them to my tastes! Its basically an Italian beef recipe. I used chuck steak but if you wanted to make a bigger portion I’m sure chuck roast would be ok too! Season the steak with salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning blend. Put into your crock pot. Add a can of tomato sauce, chopped onion (bigger chunks work best) and a jar of banana peppers. Reserve some juice from the banana peppers. Once you have everything in season once more with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning blend. Add your reserved pepper juice. Cook on high for 5-6 hours or on low for 10-12. The meat will break down into the sauce. I served mine over rice and it was AMAZING!!!
cheryl s says
I like the chicken with BBQ for sandwiches
Ashley C says
I have an amazing slow cooker chicken spaghetti
Barbara Montag says
I enjoy soft shell tacos with slow cooker shredded chicken.
thank you
Debbie Erickson says
Chicken enchiladas are easy to make with shredded chicken.
Cheryl Free says
My favorite is Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Steph says
I like to use it for chicken salad
Mary Beth Elderton says
My all time favorite shredded chicken in the slow cooker recipe is Salsa Chicken for tacos or burrito bowls—red or green are both delicious!
Cathy French says
Our favorite recipe using slow cooker shredded chicken is bbq sandwiches topped with slaw.
Nicole Griffin says
Love using shredded chicken for nachos, tacos, soups, and sandwiches. It’s nice to be able to have chicken to use in a variety of dishes so feed my family.
stephanie says
i love chicken tacos!
Tracey says
Chicken fajitas!
Amanda Alvarado says
I’ve never made chicken in the crock pot before but I’d love to try it with chicken tacos!
Donna L says
I love to make chicken soup and barbeque chicken sandwiches.
Susan Smith says
I love making shredded chicken bbq sandwiches.
Wendy R. says
I use shredded chicken for my chicken salad. It’s so good with grapes!!
Julie says
I like shredded chicken in a sandwich wrap!
Kim Henrichs says
Definitely for hatch green chili enchiladas!!
Denise M says
I love making chicken enchiladas with the shredded chicken from the slow cooker
Amity J says
I use cooled shredded chicken seasoned with celery salt for chicken salad sandwiches. Also, one of our favorites is a bottle of Italian dressing and chicken breasts, set to low all day..serve on mashed potatos, rice or pasta. SO good ;)
Emily R. says
I like to use shredded chicken in homemade chicken noodle soup!
Ellie Wright says
My favorite is chicken and green chili stew.
Jennifer Reed says
My favorite thing to make in the crockpot with shredded chicken is chicken tortilla soup.
Julie murphy says
I like pulled barbque chicken
Rhonda Grisham says
Now I’m starving..lol. My fav way to use shredded chicken is in tacos. I could eat the every day!!
Chrystal D says
I like making chicken tacos with shredded chicken
Denise S says
My favorite recipe is honey BBQ slow cooker shredded chicken.
Lisa says
Chicken Fajitas are delicious when chicken is made in a slow cooker.
Christina O says
Salsa and chicken in the crockpot makes great chicken tacos.
Kari says
I love crockpot chicken and dressing.
Lisa says
I like to make enchiladas with crockpot shredded chicken.
Becca Wilson says
I love the way shredded chicken turns out in the crock pot. There are so many recipe choices to make with it as well.
wen budro says
In the crockpot- I love making shredded BBQ chicken for sandwiches and nachos.
Casey Garvey says
I love to have slow cooked chicken and make it into Chicken Chili!
Mary Jacobowitz says
I use the shredded chicken to make chicken enchiladas.
Celeste Herrin says
one of my favorite recipes to use shredded chicken with is barbecue chicken and rice in the slow cooker. Yummy!
Elizabeth says
I’d pick chicken tortilla soup or enchiladas!
Antoinette M says
I love a good shredded chicken & mayo sandwich!
mary chapman says
I like shredded chicken with bbq sauce
Ashley B says
I like to make fajitas with shredded chicken
Karen Gonyea says
I love shredded chicken fajitas :)
Laurajj says
We love to make BBQ chicken sandwiches in the crock pot! We just use the shredded chicken and BBQ sauce. Let is cook on low all afternoon…and then we put on buns! So good and easy!
Angela H. says
I like shredded chicken for bbq sandwiches.
clynsg says
It is great for salads, either as a sandwich spread or stuffed tomato, or tossed lettuce. The possibilities are many!
Kristi C says
My family’s favorite is shredded chicken fajitas using Taco Bell fajita seasoning. We have these about once a week.
LeAnn Harbert says
I like spicy chicken burritos.
Tom Bellamy says
My favorite is chicken and rice!
Alma says
My favorite is in a chicken noodle soup. Or in tacos. This recipe looks so yummy. I have to try this one.
CHRISTINE ROBINSON says
I use shredded chicken for cream cheese enchiladas.
susan smoaks says
i love to make chicken wings in the crock pot. they are easy and delicious.
Linda G. says
I like to make BBQ shredded chicken for sandwiches in the crock pot
Beverly Mckinley says
i get my chicken ready in a crockpot to make lasagna with.
Cami Valenzuela says
I love to make chicken tortilla soup! My favorite by far!
Julie Waldron says
I use shredded chicken pot pie or chicken salad.
Paula Hafner says
I love making chicken noodle soup.
Michelle C says
I like eating shredded chicken on buns with bbq sauce and cole slaw. Not really a recipe, but a family favorite!
Stephanie Phelps says
I love to make Tortilla soup with shredded chicken in the crockpot!
kaf213 says
I would use the crockpot shredded chicken for chicken salad or chicken quesadillas
Denise B. says
I love making pulled pork in the slow cooker.
Heather Kelly says
Shredded Chicken in soup or with pasta, or even seasons for tacos!
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
Fiona N says
I love shredded chicken with cabbage salad, on noodle soup, and French sandwiches :)
Thank You!
Angela Hendricks says
I love making Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas! They’re so good!
Kelly Kimmell says
I use shredded chicken for fajitas and chicken salads.
wendy browne says
We usually make it in the crockpot or instant pot and use for chicken and dumplings or bbq chicken wraps.
Danielle says
One of my favorites is a Mexican chicken soup and a white bean chicken chili.
Jennifer Cervantes says
Taquitos are my favorite way to use shredded chicken.
Bernie Wallace says
I like to use the slow cooker to make shredded asian chicken. My family enjoys it.
Joanna Peter says
I love to make chicken salad with curry powder in the mayo, celery, cashews, grapes, and a little bit of peach chutney.
Linda K says
I have a White Chicken Chili for the crockpot which is so easy. I usually double the recipe so I have extra for lunches.
Robin says
I like making chicken enchiladas in my crock pot.
Brittany Lemmen says
I like to shred the chicken as add a can of diced tomatoes, black beans, and corn and eat it all on tortillas!
dana germain says
I love shredded rotisserie chicken with gravy in the slow cooker
Zoey says
I like to mix slow cooker shredded chicken with BBQ sauce and use it for sandwiches. So easy and tasty!
sherry fowler says
White Chicken Chili!!!!
monique s says
I like to make a shredded chicken chili with hatch chilies and onion
Pat says
I use shredded chicken for tacos.
Adriana says
I love pulled bbq chicken,so easy to make.
Brandie Davis says
I like to make barbeque chicken sliders with shredded chicken. Great recipe!
Sara says
This shredded chicken would be perfect in quesadillas!
Kerry P says
My favorite chicken recipe for the crock pot is basic shredded bbq chicken over white rice. I also love to make pineapple chicken in the crock pot!
Leah Shumack says
I haven’t done shredded chicken before. I do have a couple of chicken crockpot recipes that I use often tho! The stuffed chicken breasts is my favorite (basically deconstructed stuffed chicken breasts!)
Stephanie Larison says
I use shredded chicken in the crockpot at least twice a month for my chicken noodle soup in the crockpot recipe. The whole family loves it and it’s super easy to make.
Melissa Storms says
We love pulled pork sandwiches and I replace the pork with shredded chicken a lot, just as delicious. You have to make homemade coleslaw to top it with too. I haven’t made shredded chicken in the crock pot but I have to try it.
Tiffany Hearn says
I love chicken and dumplings! Thanks for the awesome giveaway!
Marija says
I like to cook shredded chicken to add to chicken noodle soup. The slow cooker lends it that fall apart quality that I love.
Naomie says
I love to make BBQ chicken with shredded chicken
Dana Rodriguez says
Chicken and dumplings is one of my specialties!
Megan Tilley says
We love using our shredded chicken to make nachos, tortilla chips, sour cream, cheese sauce and add olives.
Danalee Davis says
We use shredded chicken in casseroles and soups. Thanks.
DeeAnn S says
I love making chicken tortilla soup and pulled bbq’d chicken in the crock pot.
Elena says
I like to make burritos with slow cooker shredded chicken
Elizabeth Miller says
The best one in a crockpot is pulled chicken sandwiches. You can use either bbq sauce or wing sauce to make it how you want.
Ed says
Pete’s shredded chicken soup!
mary rutter says
I like your receipe.
kathy pease says
I like chicken and dumplings on rice
Trisha McKee says
My favorite and my daughter’s favorite is slow cooker buffalo chicken dip. So good and we make it so often.
DeAnna Keller says
I would love to make this for shredded chicken tacos!
Erin says
I like Dr. Pepper shredded chicken.
Aaron says
I like shredded chicken sandwiches!
Jacob Bray says
Instead of pulled bbq pork, we sometimes just replace the pork with the chicken its delicious!
Judy Gregory says
I love to make BBQ chicken thighs. I use shredded thighs.
Michelle Levine says
I like to do a slow cooked queso dip with chicken in it.
Shirley Emitt says
Like to make Shredded Chicken and
Dumplings.
Angie W says
I’d have to say chicken enchiladas!
Debbi Wellenstein says
I like making chicken and dumplings with shredded chicken.
Lauren says
I like to make curry with shredded chicken.
Katherine Persons says
I don’t have a recipe for shredded chicken but yours looks yummy
JoAnn F says
My favorite recipe is homemade chicken soup, especially on a cold winter day.
Sheryl Flickinger says
The easiest recipe I use shredded chicken for is Chicken Tacos. All I use is boneless chicken breast, taco seasoning and a jar of salsa.
Jeremy McLaughlin says
Love to make bbq shredded chicken.
meghan says
Love pulled BBQ chicken!
Helga says
Chicken pot pie is my favorite recipe using slow cooker shredded chicken.
monique s says
I use a lot of shredded chicken in my enchilada bakes and in my chicken casserole too
Claudia Davis says
My fav favorite recipe that uses slow cooker shredded chicken is chicken pot pies.
Michelle H. says
I love to make salsa chicken over rice. My family loves shredded chicken.
Andrea P. says
Chicken enchiladas!!
Lynne says
My favorite is pulled chicken. Can use it on buns or in taco shells.
Amy Smeltzer says
Chicken nachos or buffalo chicken dip is my favorite.
Kristin McCall says
I love using crockpot shredded chicken in my crockpot taco soup.
Buddy Garrett says
Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwiches is our favorite.
Missy says
I like to use crock pot shredded chicken in quesadillas and soup too.
Brandy Williams says
My favorite is ranch chicken quesadillas. Chicken,chicken broth, ranch packet and taco packet. It’s amazing!
Terry says
Chicken enchilada casserole is my favorite.
Audrey Stewart says
I use the shredded chicken with Bessingers Bar-B-Que Sauce. It is southern tradition. A mustard sauce. We eat it on hamburger buns with cole slaw.
Stephanie says
I like to make a casserole of chicken enchiladas.
Annmarie Weeks says
This looks yummy! I like using shredded chicken in a yummy Tortilla soup recipe that I make!
latanya says
bbq pulled chicken sliders
Jana Leah says
Tacos are my favorite. The crockpot makes it so easy.
Philip Lawrence says
MY favorite recipe with slow cooked chicken is chicken and vegetable stew.
Trisha Musgrave says
My favorite meal with shredded chicken is chicken and wild rice soup!!
Lissa Crane says
My kiddos love chicken tacos, so this would definitely be the favorite in my house!
shelly peterson says
I like using shredded chicken in chili and enchiladas.
cshell090869 at aol dot com
Margaret S Porter says
I like to use shredded chicken in my pasta salad and with salsa to make tacos
Donna L says
I like to use shredded chicken in my homemade chicken noodle soup!
Donna L says
Sorry, I forgot to rate this recipe
JAMIE MARTIN says
Chicken nachos!
Jerry Marquardt says
My favorite recipe with a chicken heritage is Chicken Egg Pu Yung Hai marinated in Brown Pu Yung Sauce, and topped with plenty of Kikkoman Teriyaki Marinade & Sauce.
Chrissy says
Our favorite recipe is pesto chicken. It’s just a jar of pesto and some chicken broth. Once it simmers all day it makes a great sauce and is fabulous over rice or veggies.
Rachel B says
I would like to cook shredded chicken and
dumpling
Kelsey Vinson says
For chicken noodle soup
Sand says
I like to make chicken salad sandwiches with shredded chicken.
Nancy Bowers says
I would use slow cooker shredded chicken with a sweet sour sauce over rice.
BRIAN E. says
We like to make Shredded Chicken Burritos with rice, beans, & homemade pico de gallo !!!
Allyson Tice says
my favoorite is slow cooker chicken lasagna!
Breanna Pollard says
BBQ CHICKEN
Amber Cheras says
I really like slow cooker shredded mexican chicken!
Breanne says
I like to make shredded BBQ chicken
Terri S. says
I don’t own a slow cooker. It’s on my wish list. One would save me time preparing meals for my family. Your recipe sounds yummy!
Terri S. says
Oops…forgot to say I would make chicken salad sandwiches with the shredded chicken or put it in chicken noodle soup (my grandkids favorite).
Kelly Woods says
The recipe sounds delicious. Thanks for sharing. I love chicken and rice in the crock pot. Yum. My family loves it. Thank you for the chance!
Jenny Ham says
This looks good thanks for sharing this. I love to make a roast in the slow cooker. Sharing.
Jenny Ham says
This looks good thanks for sharing this. I love to make a roast in the slow cooker. Sharing. 5 STARS
Julieh says
My favorite is chicken enchiladas with green Chile sauce.
Leela says
I love shredded chicken with sweet baby ray’s bbq sauce and provolone on toasted buns.
Christie says
I make a pulled chicken bbq similar to bbq pulled pork.
Paol Trenny says
My favorite recipe to make is pulled pork.