How to Make Shredded Chicken

How to Make Shredded Chicken

This is the ultimate dinner time saver! This guide shows you 5 different ways to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts to make shredded chicken to use in other recipes. How to make baked chicken, grilled chicken, Instant Pot chicken, slow cooker chicken, and poached chicken.

Course Main Dish

Cuisine American

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 20

Total Time 25

Servings cups

Calories 73kcal

Author Deborah Harroun

Ingredients

Grilled Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper

Instant Pot Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper
1 cup chicken broth

Crock Pot Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper
1/2 cup chicken broth

Baked Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper

Poached Chicken:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2 lbs)
Salt and pepper
Water
2 bay leaves

Instructions

For Grilled Chicken:

Preheat the grill to medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Salt and pepper
Grill for 15-20 minutes, turning halfway through the time, until the chicken has an internal temperature of 165ºF.
Remove from grill and allow to cool before shredding.

For Instant Pot Chicken:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place in the bottom of the Instant Pot.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Salt and pepper
Pour 1 cup of chicken broth around the chicken and put the lid on.
1 cup chicken broth
Lock the lid in place and make sure the vent is closed. Select manual high pressure and set the timer for 10 minutes. When the time is up, do a quick release, then remove the chicken from the pot.
Let it cool slightly before shredding.

For Crock Pot Chicken:

Spray the inside of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Salt and pepper
Place the chicken in the bottom of the slow cooker in one layer. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth around the chicken. Cook on low for 3-4 hours, or until the chicken shreds easily.
1/2 cup chicken broth

For Baked Chicken:

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place the chicken in the dish in a single layer. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Salt and pepper
Bake in the preheated oven until the chicken is no longer pink or it registers 165ºF, about 20-25 minutes.
Cool, then shred the chicken.

For Poached Chicken:

Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Place the chicken in a large pot and add enough water (or chicken broth*) to cover the chicken. Add the 2 bay leaves.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, Salt and pepper, Water, 2 bay leaves
Bring the water to a boil, then reduce the heat so the water is simmering. Boil until the chicken is cooked through, from 8-16 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts.

Notes

*I usually just use water for ease, but using chicken broth will give you more flavor.

Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.

Nutrition guide is for 1/2 cup of shredded chicken without any added broth. This is a general guideline and will change depending on which method is used.

Nutrition