Perfect for meal prep, this Crockpot Shredded Chicken is flavorful and great for soups, stews, chilis, salads and so much more. Just pop chicken breast in the slow cooker and voila! Delicious all-purpose chicken!

close up of shredded chicken in a crockpot with 2 forks.

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

What’s in Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken?

Seasoned chicken breasts are made tender in the slow cooker so they’re easy to shred or pull. Rustle up a batch for your meal prep and use it for appetizers, lunch, or dinner!

  • Chicken Breasts: Cooked low and slow, boneless, skinless chicken breasts shred perfectly!
  • Salt + Pepper: Enhance the natural flavor of the chicken.
  • Garlic Powder: Adds a bit of earthiness.
  • Italian Seasoning: Adds classic Italian flavor that pairs well with almost anything.
  • Chicken Broth: Keeps the chicken moist while it cooks.

Pro Tip: Cook the chicken in a single layer to avoid uneven cooking.

Variations on Crockpot Pulled Chicken

You can customize this crockpot shredded chicken by changing up the Italian seasoning. Try blackened seasoning, Creole seasoning, chili seasoning, fajita seasoning, taco seasoning, or ranch seasoning instead.

step by step photos for how to make crockpot shredded chicken.
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.
Can I put raw chicken in the crockpot?

Yes, that is exactly what the crockpot is for! It is perfectly safe to put raw chicken in a crockpot in order to cook it.

What type of chicken breasts are best for shredded chicken?

Boneless chicken breasts are great because they are easier to shred and cook faster, but bone-in stays moist and has more flavor. Either way, skinless chicken is the way to go.

Can I cook frozen chicken in the crockpot?

I do not recommend cooking chicken from frozen in the crockpot, as it spends too much time in the “temperature danger zone”, which could cause food poisoning.

How do I keep chicken from drying out in the crockpot?

The key to moist chicken, regardless of whether you use bone-in or boneless, is to cook the chicken on low heat for longer. Cook the chicken in a single layer to avoid uneven cooking, and toss the shredded cooked chicken in its juices before serving.

What’s the best way to shred chicken?

There are many great ways to shred chicken. I like the two-forks method (pull forks through the chicken in opposite directions) because it’s easy and everyone has forks. You could also invest in meat shredding claws or shred the meat in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment.

crockpot shredded chicken in w white bowl with a fork.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover shredded chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy cold or reheated in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.

How to Freeze

To freeze crockpot shredded chicken breasts, portion the shredded chicken into one large or several small Ziplock bags, seal, then press the chicken into a flat, even layer. Lay in the freezer until solid, then store for up to 3 months.

Serving Suggestions

This easy crockpot shredded chicken recipe is so versatile, you can use it in so many ways. Add it to Chicken Salads, chicken soup, Chicken Tacos, Chicken Salad Sandwiches, Chicken Salad Pie, Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas, or Chicken Pot Pie to name just a few! There are tons of ways to use shredded chicken, so you’ll never run out of recipe ideas.

crockpot shredded chicken in a white bowl.

More Shredded Chicken Recipes We Love

Recipe Card

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Recipe

5 from 5 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 6 hours
Total: 6 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Author: Becky Hardin
featured crockpot shredded chicken.
Perfect for meal prep, this Crockpot Shredded chicken is flavorful and great for soups, stews, chilis, salads and so much more. Just pop in the slow cooker and voila!
Save this recipe!
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you, plus new recipes weekly!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

Instructions 

  • Place chicken breasts into a crockpot. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Pour the broth over the chicken.
    3 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
    seasoned chicken breasts and broth in a crockpot.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or high for 3-4 hours.
    cooked chicken breasts in a crockpot.
  • Transfer the chicken to a bowl and shred it with two forks. Use or store as desired.
    hands shredding crockpot chicken breasts with two forks.

Video

Becky’s Tips

  • The key to moist chicken is to cook the chicken on low heat for longer.
  • Cook the chicken in a single layer to avoid uneven cooking.
  • Toss the shredded cooked chicken in its juices before serving.
Storage: Store crockpot shredded chicken in an airtight container or Ziplock bag in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Calories: 200kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 37gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 109mgSodium: 352mgPotassium: 660mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 54IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you make this? Leave a comment!

More Chicken Recipes to Try

Chicken is our absolute specialty. We love to create easy yet delicious chicken meals with the least amount of effort. Have you tried any of these favorite recipes?

Meet Becky Hardin

Becky Hardin is a wife and mother living in Saint Louis Missouri. She founded The Cookie Rookie in 2012 as a creative way to share recipes. Now, she is a trusted resource for easy cooking around the world, being featured in Taste of Home, The Kitchn, ABC’s Home and Family, and more. Here at The Cookie Rookie she is the editor in chief of all recipes and continues to enjoy sharing her passion for cooking for busy families. She has since founded two additional food blogs, Easy Chicken Recipes and Easy Dessert Recipes.

5 from 5 votes (5 ratings without comment)
Subscribe
Notify of
guest
Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Bari
Bari
June 3, 2023 3:33 pm

This will be perfect for my meal prep this week! How would you recommend adjusting the recipe for a different sized crockpot, say a 4.5qt? Thank you!

Samantha Marceau
June 5, 2023 9:34 am
Reply to  Bari

It should still fit in that size!