Want juicy chicken seasoned to perfection without a lot of effort? This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe is your ultimate companion to creating tender, flavorful chicken. You can set it, forget it, and let your Crockpot do all the work! Whether you start it before your morning coffee or right before bedtime, it requires less than 10 minutes of prep time.
This Slow Cooker Chicken is the perfect starting point for a variety of meals. Looking for an easy, healthy lunch? Use it in salads or wraps! (Or make this Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad.)
Need a quick dinner option? It is perfect for tacos and bowls, or you can simply mix it with some rice and veggies, and you have a complete meal ready to go. Or add it to soups for extra protein.
And let's not forget about sandwiches - this Chicken is so versatile, it can be used in a variety of sandwiches, from classic chicken salad to BBQ chicken sandwiches.
But the versatility doesn't stop there! This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken also freezes well, making it the ultimate meal prep solution.
Make a big batch and freeze individual portions for future use. Follow along, and I will show you just how easy it is.
Looking for more easy slow cooker recipes? Don't miss my Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs, Crockpot Corn Casserole, Crockpot Ranch Chicken, or Slow Cooker Rice.
Ingredients for Crockpot Shredded Chicken
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts: Boneless chicken is incredibly versatile and easy to work with. If you're feeling adventurous, you could substitute this with bone-in chicken.
- Chicken Broth: This adds a depth of flavor that water simply can't match. You can use homemade or store-bought.
- Onion Powder: This is one of the ingredients that makes our chicken flavorful. If you don't have onion powder on hand, finely chopped fresh onion will do the trick!
- Garlic Powder: Garlic powder creates a subtle, rounded flavor that complements the chicken perfectly. Freshly minced garlic can be used as a substitute, but remember, it's less potent than the powder, so adjust accordingly.
- Sea Salt: A critical ingredient for bringing out the natural flavors of the chicken. If you're watching your sodium intake, feel free to adjust the quantity or substitute with a lower-sodium alternative.
- Fresh Ground Black Pepper: The slight spice from black pepper adds a higher degree of complexity to the shredded chicken. You can adjust the amount based on your preference for spice. If you'd like to mix it up, try using white pepper for a slightly different flavor profile.
Step by Step
- Dump your chicken, broth, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in your slow cooker.
- Cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low.
- Remove your chicken from the slow cooker and shred it with a fork. You can also use a stand mixer to shred your chicken.
Tips and Tricks
- Go Fresh: While we've used onion and garlic powder for convenience, you can most certainly use fresh onions and garlic if you have some extra time. It is recommended that you chop them finely, should you choose to use them.
- Chicken Choices: We've used boneless chicken for this recipe, but don't let that limit you. Bone-in chicken is also an option.
- The Right Tools: I if you have a stand mixer or hand mixer, it can make the task of shredding the chicken even simpler and faster.
Storing
Place your chicken in an airtight container in the fridge. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for about 3 days!
To freeze, place the chicken in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months.
More Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes
- For those cozy nights when you crave comfort food, Slow Cooker Chicken Enchiladas will hit the spot – they're ridiculously easy to make and utterly delicious!
- Who doesn't love a good fajita night? Whip up these Slow Cooker Chicken Fajitas and watch them disappear faster than you can say "More guacamole, please!"
- If you're in the mood for something hearty that the whole family will love, try the Crockpot Mexican Casserole – it's a one-pot wonder that's as flavorful as it is satisfying.
- And for those evenings when only creamy pasta will do, the Slow Cooker Chicken Alfredo is a dream come true. It's the kind of meal that reminds you why sometimes, there's just nothing better than home cooking.
Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 32 ounces boneless chicken
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons sea salt
- 1 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken, broth, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a crock pot. Cook for 4 hours on high or 8 hours on low. Remove from slow cooker and shred with a fork.
Shannon Graham
I like when it's an easy task!