Crockpot Shredded Chicken (Slow Cooker)

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings 8 servings

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This Crockpot Shredded Chicken is easy, flavorful and a great way to meal prep for the week ahead! How to make slow cooker shredded chicken including tips, tricks and additional recipes.

Looking for more ways to cook shredded chicken? Try this Instant Pot Shredded Chicken, this stovetop Shredded Chicken or see my 30+ Shredded Chicken Recipes for more inspiration!

two whole chicken breasts and two shredded chicken breasts with forks in slow cooker.

It was high time for this Crockpot Shredded Chicken to join my family of easy meal prep recipes. It’s one of my favorite recipes when we’re short on time!

I’ve realized how important it is to have a collection or super practical, easy recipes for kitchen basics that will make your life a hundred times easier through the week.

As moms and dads and adults who have a million things on our plates, recipes like this Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken, this easy Baked Chicken Breast, these Dump and Go Slow Cooker Recipes and these Easy Crockpot Meals are the best way to get dinner on the table.

Reader Rating

“I made this today I am so amazed by it. So tasty and easy. I will make probably every week now. I’m so impressed.” Sue

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Why we love this Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken:

  • It’s versatile: Having this crockpot shredded chicken prepped is a lifesaver and is so easy to stir into soups, pasta, make quick sandwiches or, hey, even add to a boxed pasta mix when times are really crazy! 😉
  • It’s great for making ahead: Easy meal prep makes these busy days much more manageable!
  • It’s customizable: you can easily use your favorite seasonings blends or spices to jazz it up! Try taco seasoning, Creole, Cajun, or something else!

Ingredients needed:

ingredients needed for crockpot shredded chicken.
  • Chicken breasts: I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts but you could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. If you would like to use bone-in chicken, you’ll want to add a couple hours to the cook time.
  • Chicken broth: I always choose low sodium chicken broth so that I can add salt according to our tastes. If you are using a salted broth, you may want to reduce the amount of seasoning salt added.
  • Seasoning salt: seasoning salt is one of my favorite all-purpose seasonings — it packs a lot of flavor in one bottle! If you don’t have any, you can add salt, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder.
  • Italian seasoning: I love the herby flavor of Italian seasoning and I think it goes well with most flavors. Feel free to reduce or omit according to your tastes and your uses.
  • Black pepper: adds a bit of heat to balance out the flavors.

How to make Crockpot Shredded Chicken:

Here are a few step by step photos to guide you! See the full recipe down in the recipe card.

  1. Add chicken to the bottom of the crockpot (I use my 2.5 quart when I am making 4-6 chicken breasts, and my 4 or 6 quart slow cooker when making more than that).
  2. Add broth and seasonings and give everything a stir.
  3. Cover and cook on low until tender and cooked through (roughly 3-4 hours) — it may be cooked before it is fall apart tender, so don’t be afraid to let it cook for a couple extra hours on low so that it shreds easily.
  4. Open lid and shred in the juices, or shred on a cutting board and add back to the juices after shredding.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken FAQs

What size crockpot do I need?

The crockpot pictured here is a 2.5 quart casserole crock — it’s one of my favorites! It’s a great size for a family of 3-5. It works great for 4-6 chicken breasts.
If you’re looking to do a big batch, I recommend a 4-6 quart slow cooker.

Can I let it cook all day?

The answer is yes, but you might not want to. Overcooked chicken tends to be dry and unappetizing. The slow cooker is a forgiving environment but even so, 8 hours or more is a long time for chicken to cook.
If you want to let your chicken cook longer than the recipe calls for, I recommend choosing a smaller crockpot and filling it to the 2/3 point. A fuller crockpot will cook more slowly.

Why is my Crockpot Shredded Chicken tough?

It’s likely that it hasn’t cooked long enough to shred. While chicken breasts are often cooked through in just 2 hours on low, I like to let them cook a little longer if I plan to shred them so that they are fall-apart tender.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the slow cooker?

Don’t overcook! It’s important to hit that sweet spot between “tough and hard to shred” and “dry and overcooked”. Thankfully, the crockpot is one of the best ways to get juicy chicken.

Is it better to cook chicken in the crockpot on low or high?

I think it is always better to cook on low if you can, but cooking on high is an option if you are pressed for time.

Do I need to cover the chicken with liquid?

No! The liquid in the crockpot creates steam that will cook the chicken and keep it moist even if it is not covered in liquid.

Can I freeze leftover shredded chicken?

Absolutely! Leftover cooked chicken can be frozen in an airtight container or zip-top freezer bag for up to 6 months.

crockpot pulled chicken with two forks.

Tips for making this easy Crockpot Shredded Chicken:

  • Don’t overcook. I know it can be tempting to leave the chicken in for a long time as you would think it would end up more tender, but that’s not always the case. With slow cooker chicken recipes, you really want to be sure you hit the sweet spot between “just enough” and “dry and unappetizing”.
  • Use boneless chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs. Avoid having to deal with skin and bones to make this crockpot shredded chicken recipe super simple. Chicken thighs will have a little more fat (flavor!) and more moisture. Chicken breasts are leaner, but also don’t pack quite the same amount of flavor as thighs. You can use one or the other or a combination! I use chicken breasts because they always turn out incredibly moist and it’s easy to add flavor 🙂
  • Know your slow cooker. When cooking 4 chicken breasts like this recipe calls for, I love using my 2.5 quart crockpot — it’s the perfect size and heats up quickly. If you’re doing more chicken than that, you’ll likely want to use a 4-6 quart crockpot. Note that if your crockpot is very full, it will take longer to heat and cook. The size affects the cooking time!
  • Keep the seasoning simple. You don’t want to end up with a week’s worth of single-purpose chicken (unless you do, I guess!), so by keeping the seasoning on this slow cooker shredded chicken basic, you can use it in a multitude of ways. It doesn’t scream “Mexican!” or “Italian!” or “curry!”.

How to shred chicken:

I know a lot of people like to make easy shredded chicken with a hand mixer or stand mixer because it shreds quickly and easily.

This is a great way to do it, but honestly? I prefer a couple of forks.

It really doesn’t take that long, and I’m all about using the least amount of dishes as possible. I really dislike washing big pots and bowls so I avoid using extra at all costs! You pick the easiest way for you.

After simmering away low and slow, this slow cooker shredded chicken comes together (or rather, apart! Lol) with little effort. No need to pull out the big guns 😉

shredded chicken in juices in crockpot with two forks.

Ways to use Shredded Chicken:

So now that we have all of this wonderful, flavorful, moist slow cooker shredded chicken, the real question is what to make with shredded chicken?

I love having a bunch on hand in the fridge because it is so versatile and makes meal planning so much easier to manage.

Here are some easy things to make with shredded chicken:

Variations on this Crockpot Pulled Chicken:

This is an easy recipe to customize! Try one of these delicious recipes to make it your own:

  • Skip the Italian seasoning and add 2-3 teaspoons taco seasoning and some mild salsa for shredded chicken tacos or taco salad! (Go crazy and add a can of green chiles if you like!)
  • Stir in some barbecue sauce and make BBQ Chicken sandwiches
  • Stir in some buffalo sauce and serve it over Air Fryer Baked Potatoes or with nachos
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Crockpot Shredded Chicken

4.98 from 127 votes
This Crockpot Shredded Chicken is easy, flavorful and a great way to meal prep for the week ahead! How to make slow cooker shredded chicken including tips, tricks and additional recipes.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 5 minutes
Cuisine American
Course Main Course
Servings 8 servings
Calories 67cal

Ingredients

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lb)
  • ¾ cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon seasoning salt (I use Lawry’s)
  • ¾ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Place chicken breasts in 2.5-4 quart crockpot. Pour in chicken broth and sprinkle with seasonings.
  • Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours or high for 2-3 hours, until chicken is cooked through (165 degrees F minimum) and fall apart tender.
  • Using two forks, gently pull and shred the chicken in the liquid (if your chicken has released a lot of liquid, you may want to remove some liquid before shredding, but save it in case you want to add more back in). 
  • Serve as desired or let cool slightly before refrigerating. Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly sealed, for 3-4 days, or packaged and frozen for 3-4 months.

Notes

*The cook time in this recipe has been adjusted to 3-4 hours on low from the previous 6-7. I find that a lower cook time is sufficient when using 4 chicken breasts in a smaller crockpot. If you have a larger crockpot, it is very full, or you have large chicken breasts, you may still need to cook for 4-6 hours on low. 
Ingredients and Substitutions:
  • I recommend boneless, skinless chicken breasts or boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. You may be able to use bone-in chicken but it will take longer to cook.
  • If you are using regular broth and not low sodium, you may want to reduce the added salt. 
Storage
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days in an airtight container.
  • Leftovers can also be frozen in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 6 months, although it will have the best taste and texture if used in the first 3-4 months.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 67cal | Protein: 12g | Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 36mg | Sodium: 288mg | Potassium: 221mg | Vitamin A: 15IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 5mg | Iron: 0.3mg
Keywords crockpot shredded chicken, shredded chicken breast, slow cooker shredded chicken

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Meet Ashley

My name is Ashley Fehr and I love creating easy meals my family loves. I also like to do things my way, which means improvising and breaking the rules when necessary. Here you will find creative twists on old favorites and some of my favorite family recipes, passed down from generations!

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Comments

  1. Jackie says

    We are big fans of this recipe! It is VERY easy and versatile. I made a big pot using boneless thighs and used the chicken for both pizza & burritos. Both were a huge hit. I really like the idea of having some shredded chicken on hand. It makes cooking during the work week even easier, plus its cheaper and healthier.

  2. Sue says

    I made this today I am so amazed by it. So tasty and easy. I will make probably every week now. I’m so impressed.

  3. Priscilla Hodge says

    I want to cook just 2 chicken breasts (boneless and skinless) weighing about 2.5 lbs. Should I cook it for 4.5 hours on low?
    Or should I cook them longer? I don’t want them to be dried out.

    • Ashley Fehr says

      Hi Priscilla! I adjusted the cook time to reflect my new preference, which would be a shorter cook time. The cook time will depend on the size of the breasts and how hot your slow cooker is but I think 3-4 hours on low will be good.

  4. imsen says

    This is the best recipe I have found for chicken in the slow cooker. And the tip for using your stand mixer to shred it is so good! It worked perfectly. All of your tips and suggestions are great, thank you for sharing.

  5. Art Largay says

    This was an excellent recipe for chicken thighs. What I’d like to know is if this recipe would work with pheasant, grouse or quail? We have a rather unpleasant abundance of these upwardly mobile vermin around here and if there were a way to provide nourishment from them rather than just chuck their twitching semi-deceased remains into the compost pile, I’m eager to learn. Could these aviary mongrels become tomorrow’s tea supper given the magic of a slow cooker?

    • The Recipe Rebel says

      Hi Art! I’ve only tested this recipe with chicken. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!

    • Angela says

      Art; pheasant, grouse and quail are all superior to chicken! Maybe you just don’t like the idea of dressing them. Wish I could be there to take them off your hands. They are delicious!

  6. Vicki L Malone says

    Sounds perfect! Been looking for a simple recipe for plain shredded chicken breast. When I buy chicken breast it always has a lot of fat attached. Please tell me if I leave it on to cook or trim it off. Thank you!

  7. Andrea Thueson says

    I love using this recipe as my base when making casseroles and chicken bakes! It adds the best flavor to the dish!

    • Tosha says

      I want to try this recipe but my hubby can’t have a lot of sodium and has to be careful with broth due to gout. Any suggestions for substitions?

      • The Recipe Rebel says

        Hi Tosha! I believe that the nutrition calculator in the recipe card always calculates sodium high so I don’t think the number can always be trusted. I would just make sure you choose ingredients with the lowest sodium or no sodium (broth, seasonings, etc.). When in doubt go with what you know is best for your needs.

      • Suzanne says

        You can get Herb Ox brand sodium free dry mix(comes in Chicken and Beef)
        We use it all the time add a good flavor to any recipe that calls for broth or stock.

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