How to Make Shredded Chicken
Want a time saving tip?…Cook your chicken ahead of time. I make a big batch of chicken on the weekend, and keep it in the fridge so that its super convenient to toss in recipes, sandwiches, salads and more throughout the week. My method is quick and easy and leaves you with perfect, juicy shredded chicken every time.
What Make Shredded Chicken?
On busy weeknights, sometimes you just don’t have the time to wait for chicken to cook to get dinner on the table. Having a batch of shredded chicken on hand in my fridge has saved us from dinner time meltdowns more than once!
I usually make a big batch of chicken on Sunday when I have more time, and keep it in the fridge in an airtight container. Then I just pop in recipes like my Hawaiian Chicken Nachos or my Tater Tot Chicken Pot Pie Casserole during the week.
Its so versatile and also great for:
- salads
- sandwiches and wraps
- chicken salad
- toss it with pasta
- stuffed peppers
- BBQ
- pizza toppings
- soups/chilis
- tacos
- enchiladas
- casseroles
- pot pies
Seriously. You can whip up a delicious meal in just a few minutes when you have a big ol’ batch of shredded chicken on hand!
How Long Does Shredded Chicken Last
If you store it properly in an air tight container, it will be good to eat for 4 days.
Can You Freeze Shredded Chicken?
You bet! It freezes really well actually if you store it correctly.
Divide it into 1-2 cup portions and store in an airtight ziplock baggie like this one Try and press out as much air as you can before sealing.
It will last up to 4 months in freezer.
To defrost, simply move it to the fridge the night before (or the morning of if you always forget like me!) you plan to use it. If you need it to defrost quicker, use the defrost setting on your microwave.
How Do You Make Shredded Chicken?
My preferred method is poaching bc its quick, completely fool proof, and the chicken is super juicy every time!
Take boneless, skinless chicken breasts and place them in a pot. I cut them in half so that they cook through a bit quicker.
Add enough water to cove them completely and then bring to a boil. Let it simmer about 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (not sure if its done…use a knife to cut into it and take a peak. If its still slightly pink, it needs a few more minutes).
Remove chicken from water and shred. You can either use two forks or I prefer to use my Kitchen Aid stand mixer. Place chicken in the bowl and use the paddle attachment. Start on a lower setting since the chicken is hot and wet and sometimes has a tendency to pop right out of the bowl! Once it starts to shred a bit, you can can increase the speed to medium.
Don’t have a stand mixer? A hand mixer and a large bowl will work just as well.
Store chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
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How to Make Shredded Chicken
Equipment
- 1 pot
- 1 stand or hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast boneless, skinless
Instructions
- Take boneless, skinless chicken breasts and place them in a pot. You can cut them in half and they will cook though a bit faster.
- Add enough water to cove them completely and then bring to a boil. Let it simmer about 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through (not sure if its done…use a knife to cut into it and take a peak. If its still slightly pink, it needs a few more minutes).
- Remove chicken from water and shred. You can either use two forks or I prefer to use my stand mixer with the paddle attachment. A hand mixer will work as well. Start on a lower setting since the chicken is hot and wet and sometimes has a tendency to pop right out of the bowl! Once it starts to shred a bit, you can can increase the speed to medium.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
