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Looking for the best shredded chicken recipes? I’ve got you covered with over 40 delicious ideas, plus cooking methods and meal prep tips. From enchiladas to salads and soups, there’s a recipe for every occasion!
If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen me share making a big batch of shredded chicken during my weekend meal prep. Some of my go-to recipes to use it in are my greek yogurt chicken salad, brunswick stew and healthy chicken enchiladas. This sort of method of cooking once and using leftovers to make a variety of meals is the best! It saves so much time and energy.
With this in mind, I thought it would be helpful for me to share how to make perfect shredded chicken (in a variety of methods!) as well as shredded chicken recipes you can make once you have it prepped!
How to Cook Chicken Before Shredding
I have made shredded chicken in every way possible, but my favorite is still slow cooker shredded chicken. I love the simplicity of this “set it and forget it” method and I like the flavor and texture of shredded chicken using this method as well. That said, there are other ways to make shredded chicken so I’ll share them all here!
Slow Cooker: As I mentioned, this is my fave method! To make it, simply put your boneless skinless chicken breasts or boneless skinless chicken thighs in the slow cooker, season with any seasonings you want to add, cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or on high for 2 hours. That’s it! I know it’s tempting to want to add liquid, like water or broth to the slow cooker with your chicken, but you don’t need it — the chicken will release its own juices and it won’t dry out! I do like adding a little apple cider vinegar to help tenderize the meat, but it’s optional.
Instant Pot: This method is new to me as I didn’t get on the Instant Pot train until about a year ago, but it’s awesome because it is SO FAST! Place four boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the Instant Pot and add 1 cup broth or water and any seasonings you’d like. Put the lid on, turn to seal, cook for 15 minutes and then quick release the pressure. Remove the chicken and shred with two forks or by hand. Shredded chicken in under 30 minutes? YUP!
Stove-top: Place chicken and any vegetables or seasoning in a saucepan or pot. Cover the chicken completely with broth or water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Remove the chicken and shred with two forks or by hand. This method is awesome because you can cook tender, shredded chicken without any kitchen appliances on the counter!
Oven: Place chicken in a baking dish and add any seasonings you’d like. Add a little bit of water to the bottom of the pan and cover with foil or an oven-safe lid. This makes sure your chicken doesn’t come out super dry! Bake at 375ºF for 25-35 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Remove from the oven and shred away!
How to Shred Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked let it cool down a bit and then it’s time to shred it. I recommend shredding the chicken while it’s still warm because it’s much easier than shredding cold meat.
With two forks –place cooked chicken on plate or shallow bowl and use two forks to pull apart pieces of the meat
With your hands – sometimes it’s easier to use your hands to pull the pieces apart! Just be sure the chicken is cool enough to touch if you’re using your hands.
With a mixer – just place the cooked chicken in a large mixing bowl and use a hand mixer on low to break the chicken into pieces. You can also use a stand mixer with the paddle attachment. This is a big time saver, especially if you’re shredding a large quantity.
Can You Freeze Shredded Chicken?
Yes! This is a great meal planning hack – shred your chicken ahead of time and freeze for the week (or weeks!) ahead.
Brittany’s Tip For Freezing Shredded Chicken!
Portion out your chicken rather than putting a whole bunch in one freezer container, that way you can just take out the container or ziplock and add the meat to your soup, skillet or sauce.
The Best Recipes to Make with Shredded Chicken
Once you have your shredded chicken prepped there are sooooo many ways to use it. Here are some of my favorite shredded chicken recipes.
Protein-Packed Chicken Salads
I love adding chicken to my salads for a protein boost. Whether it’s my tarragon chicken salad or swapping grilled chicken for shredded chicken in my southwest chicken salad, the options are endless! Here’s some of my favorite chicken salad recipes:
5 from 2 votes
Buffalo Chicken Salad
This buffalo chicken salad is packed with flavor, great for meal prep and super easy to make! Serve it for lunch with crackers, in a lettuce wrap or as a sandwich.
This tarragon chicken salad is loaded with red onion, celery, fresh tarragon and raisins. It's super easy to make, packed with flavor and perfect for make-ahead lunches.
This southwest chicken salad is easy to make and packed with tons of flavor! It's loaded with black beans, fresh vegetables, avocado and seasoned chicken all tossed in a creamy southwest dressing.
This blueberry corn chicken salad is the perfect summertime salad! It combines greens, grilled chicken, corn, roasted pecans and fresh blueberries all tossed in a delicious maple balsamic dressing.
This Whole Foods copycat Sonoma chicken salad combines shredded chicken with grapes, pecans, red onion and celery all tossed in a creamy, sweet poppy seed dressing. It's easy, flavorful and the perfect make-ahead lunch recipe.
Made with celery, red onion and raisins this curry chicken salad is packed with tons of flavor and so easy to make! It's the perfect make-ahead lunch recipe.
This healthy chicken Waldorf salad uses grilled chicken and a light dressing that blends mayo with Greek yogurt! Great for sandwiches, wraps and salads.
This Asian chopped salad is loaded with fresh veggies and tossed with a creamy almond dressing. You’ll love the crunch and flavor! Dairy-free, gluten-free and low-carb.
Poppy seed chicken pasta salad makes for the perfect summer side or easy dinner with bowtie pasta, chicken, sweet grapes and crunchy almonds all in a creamy poppy seed dressing.
This crunchy mandarin orange chicken salad is loaded with fresh veggies, shredded chicken, orange slices and almonds all tossed in a zesty orange sesame ginger dressing!
This chicken fajita pasta salad is packed with flavorful sautéed veggies, fresh tomatoes and shredded chicken all tossed in a cilantro lime dressing. Perfect for meal prep or as a side for summer parties.
Protein Cobb Salad – The REAL Jennifer Aniston Salad
This protein Cobb salad packs in over 45 grams of protein! It's loaded with romaine lettuce, chicken, turkey bacon, chickpeas, salami, tomatoes and cheese all tossed in a simple Italian dressing.
This chicken caesar pasta salad combines tender pasta, crisp romaine, grilled chicken and sourdough croutons all tossed in a creamy caesar dressing. It's perfect for summer cookouts or a simple weeknight dinner.
This chicken avocado club mason jar salad combines chicken, turkey bacon, blue cheese and avocado. It's filling, loaded with flavor and perfect for meal prep. Low carb + gluten-free.
This spinach mason jar salad features grilled chicken, strawberries and a citrus poppy seed dressing. Layer all of the ingredients into a mason jar for a healthy, portable lunch!
Simply add cooked shredded chicken to your favorite grain bowl along with the rest of your ingredients. Here are some ideas:
3.96 from 129 votes
Chicken Protein Bowl
This chicken protein bowl has a base of quinoa and is packed with roasted vegetables, chicken, toasted almonds and topped with a maple dijon dressing. It's a nutrient-packed dish that is loaded with flavor and perfect for meal prep.
These chicken fajita quinoa bowls come together in about 30 minutes for an easy weeknight dinner. They feature spiced-up chicken, sautéed peppers and a creamy avocado goat cheese sauce all served over a bed of quinoa.
This mediterranean quinoa bowl combines quinoa, roasted chickpeas, spinach, red onion, kalamata olives and feta cheese all drizzled in a lemon dressing and tzatziki sauce. Great for meal prep!
These chicken burrito bowls combine tender marinated chicken, cilantro cauliflower rice, corn salsa, black beans and romaine lettuce all topped with a delicious tomatillo avocado dressing. Perfect for meal prep.
These roasted harvest bowls combine maple turmeric chicken, roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts and crisp apple chunks all served over a bed of kale drizzled with an apple cider vinaigrette dressing.
Many of my soup recipes start with chicken breasts that cook in the broth before being shredded, but you can easily use pre-cooked shredded chicken instead. Just stir it in during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking. Here are some favorite chicken soup recipes to try:
4.54 from 249 votes
Detox Soup
Give your body a reset with this veggie filled detox soup. It’s healthy, filling and packed with anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, ginger, lemon and cayenne pepper. It comes together quickly in just one pot and is perfect for meal prep!
This chicken enchilada soup is packed with flavor and a hint of spice. It tastes just like traditional chicken enchiladas but with a fraction of the effort and can easily be made in your slow cooker, Instant Pot or over the stove top.
This hearty Mexican sweet potato chicken soup is loaded with veggies, lean protein and has a smoky, sweet flavor from dried guajillo Mexican peppers. Grain/gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo and whole30 friendly.
This slow cooker chicken fajita soup makes for a comforting and healthy meal that's packed with flavor and a hint of spice. It can be made in your slow cooker or Instant Pot!
This lemon chicken orzo soup combines fresh veggies, orzo pasta and shredded chicken in a lemony broth. It's healthy, comforting and packed full of flavor.
This chicken tortilla soup is loaded with veggies, black beans, shredded chicken and topped with homemade crunchy tortilla strips. It's comforting, easy to make and perfect for meal prep.
Make chicken noodle soup from scratch with this simple recipe that cooks up in under 30 minutes! It's warm, comforting, packed with flavor and absolutely delicious.
Some of these recipes already call for cooked chicken — just swap chopped chicken breasts for shredded chicken, and you’re good to go! For recipes like stuffed sweet potatoes and spaghetti squash taco bake that don’t originally include chicken, simply add shredded chicken for an easy protein boost.
4.81 from 83 votes
Spaghetti Squash Pad Thai
This healthy spaghetti squash Pad Thai uses spaghetti squash strands instead of rice noodles for a veggie-packed dish that’s lower in carbs and super satisfying.
These healthy chicken tacos come together in about 30 minutes, making them perfect for busy weeknights. They're packed with flavor and totally customizable!
These stuffed sweet potatoes are packed with a variety of flavors and loaded with protein, healthy fat and fiber. They’re easy to whip up and make for a nutritious vegetarian weeknight meal.
Make the best loaded nachos with this easy recipe. Tortilla chips are topped with a ground turkey refried bean mixture, cheese and tons of yummy toppings for the perfect appetizer or game day snack!
This spaghetti squash taco bake combines low-carb spaghetti squash with ground turkey, taco seasoning, salsa and cheese for a delicious, healthy and easy dinner.
The best healthy chicken quesadillas made with chopped chicken, veggies, cheese and tons of flavor. They're customizable, come together in minutes and can be made in advance for quick and easy meals.
This healthy buffalo chicken dip is the perfect game day appetizer and sure to be a crowd favorite. It's made lighter with Greek yogurt and cottage cheese, but is still creamy, spicy and absolutely delicious.
This protein pizza has 30 grams of protein per serving. The dough comes together in about 10 minutes and is made with just 2 simple ingredients. No yeast needed!
Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!
When cooking the chicken in the crockpot, what are your favorite spices to use for a “universal” shredded chicken to use in lots of recipes? Can you give proportions of spices per pound? Thx!
Wow! This is fantastic! This just cut my meal planning time for the month considerably! I can’t wait to make these! I’ll make them this evening and freeze them for eating later this month!
When cooking the chicken in the crockpot, what are your favorite spices to use for a “universal” shredded chicken to use in lots of recipes? Can you give proportions of spices per pound? Thx!
Honestly, just salt and pepper are my go-to spices. 🙂
Loved the post, Wondering everybody’s thoughts on this unusual product that my friends had recommended to me.
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Wow! This is fantastic! This just cut my meal planning time for the month considerably! I can’t wait to make these! I’ll make them this evening and freeze them for eating later this month!
You can also shred chicken with your handmixer. After you’ve cooked it of course. Shreds it in less than a minute perfectly