Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Breast

Slow-cooker shredded chicken breast is an easy, healthy, head-start ingredient perfect for meal prep! Moist, perfectly seasoned, and easy to shred – this pulled chicken is tender and juicy. Make a big batch on the weekend to help you build high-protein, convenient, nourishing meals all week!

Slow-cooker shredded chicken is the solution to all of your chicken needs! It’s an easy, healthy, hands-off recipe that is super versatile and perfect for meal prep! You can use shredded chicken breast to make various simple, nutritious meals throughout the week, including avocado chicken salad, a chicken burrito bowl, curry chicken salad, or shortcut chicken noodle soup.

HEALTHY EATING TIP! If you are working to develop healthy eating habits, it’s so important to prepare a handful of healthy head-start ingredients ahead of time that you can build on throughout the week.

Preparing delicious, nutritious ingredients like egg white muffins, sauteed broccoli, fluffy quinoa, shredded beef tips, and/or this easy shredded chicken can make eating well much easier — especially when you are tired or short on time.

Ingredients needed

Not only is this shredded chicken recipe quick to make (it only takes about 5 minutes of hands-on time), but you only need two main ingredients, plus seasonings! You probably have all of the seasonings in your pantry right now – here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken breasts: This recipe calls for two pounds of chicken – this can be anywhere between three to five chicken breasts depending on their size.
• Seasonings: A simple blend of sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning adds delicious flavor to the chicken.
• Chicken broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt and to keep the chicken moist and juicy.

How to make this recipe

This recipe is so easy, you will use it over and over again! Here’s how it all comes together:

1. Prep: Place the chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer.
2. Add seasonings: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
3. Add broth: Pour chicken broth over the seasoned chicken. I like to flip the chicken down and then upright again before placing on the lid.
4. Cook: Place the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours, until the chicken easily shreds with a fork.

5. Shred: Using two forks, shred the chicken (this can be done on a cutting board or right in the slow cooker). 

Expert tips

• Similar-sized chicken breasts: It’s best to use chicken breasts that are similar in size so that they cook evenly and at the same rate.
• Placing the chicken: When placing the chicken in the base of your slow cooker, be sure it is lying flat and not piled on top of one another. For reference, I use a 7-quart slow cooker, and 4-5 breasts lay comfortably next to one another on the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Cooking on low: Your meat will turn out juicier if you cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. However, if you’re really in a hurry, you can cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
• Food safety: It’s important to ensure that the chicken is cooked all the way through before eating. Use an internal meat thermometer to check that it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a thermometer, poke a knife into the thickest part of the breast and make sure the juices run clear.

Variations

• Chicken thighs: Try using chicken thighs! They have a bit more fat than breasts, so they tend to maintain more moisture once they are cooked. The chicken breasts are much leaner than the thighs.
• Change up the seasonings: I like the seasoning mix as written in this recipe, but you can use a variety of spices. Oregano, chili powder, or lemon pepper seasoning would all be delicious. Want a kick of heat? Try a dash or two of cayenne pepper.
• Add some sauce: Try my salsa chicken recipe for some Mexican shredded chicken flair or my slow cooker BBQ chicken for a saucy option!

Serving suggestions

This is a quick and easy recipe! It’s the perfect way to have some high-quality protein in your fridge, prepped and ready-to-go for easy-to-assemble meals throughout the week! Here are some ways that you can use it:

Use this shredded chicken for easy chicken salad, tacos, sandwiches, burritos, quesadillas, etc! It makes a great high-protein, head-start ingredient.

You can also pair it with whole grains like my Greek Quinoa Salad or build a low carb meal and pair it with cauliflower rice or green beans.

Storage recommendations

If you’re meal prepping this chicken to use later, once it’s all shredded, transfer it to an airtight container with the broth from the slow cooker. The broth will help to keep the chicken nice and moist throughout the week.

If you plan to serve it right away, simply shred the chicken and then add it back to the slow cooker to stay warm with the juices.

• Storing leftovers: Transfer to an airtight container with the broth and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Once completely cool, divide into portions, if you’d like to have smaller amounts to pull out for recipes, 1 to 2 cups is a good amount. Add each portion to a zip-top plastic bag, seal it and write the date on it. Store it in the freezer for up to 4 months. 
• Thaw: Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cool water for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

More easy slow cooker recipes

• Slow Cooker Beef Tips
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Crockpot Shredded BBQ Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN RECIPE VIDEO

Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe, I would love you to give it a ★ rating below. Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy food inspiration. Cheers!