Description
This Crockpot Shredded Chicken recipe is a simple and flavorful way to prepare tender, juicy shredded chicken using your slow cooker. Seasoned with a blend of garlic, onion, Italian herbs, paprika, and pepper, and cooked slowly in chicken broth with a touch of olive oil, this versatile chicken can be used in a variety of dishes from tacos to salads.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Broth
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Other
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (or neutral vegetable oil)
Instructions
- Prep chicken: Pour the chicken broth into a ~4 quart crockpot. Nestle the chicken breasts on top of the broth, arranging them preferably in a single layer for even cooking.
- Season: In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, ground paprika, and black pepper. Sprinkle this seasoning mixture evenly over the chicken breasts. Drizzle the olive oil or neutral vegetable oil over the seasoned chicken.
- Slow cook: Cover the crockpot with its lid and cook the chicken on LOW for 4 to 6 hours or on HIGH for 2 to 3 hours, depending on your schedule. Ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to guarantee it is fully cooked and safe to eat.
- Rest: Once cooked, turn off the crockpot and carefully remove the chicken breasts to a plate. Cover the chicken loosely with foil or a lid and let it rest for 10 minutes to retain juices.
- Shred: If there is plenty of cooking liquid in the crockpot, remove some of it and save it to keep the shredded chicken moist later. Shred the chicken using your preferred method: two forks for larger chunks (done by hand in the crockpot juices), or use a hand mixer or stand mixer with a paddle attachment for finer shreds (recommended to do this in a separate bowl to avoid scratching the crockpot). Use the shredded chicken immediately or store it for future use.
Notes
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts.
- Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- If using a hand mixer to shred, a separate bowl helps prevent damaging the crockpot surface.
- Use the reserved cooking juice to moisten the shredded chicken if it seems dry.
- Ensure to always check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for safety.
