The Easiest Shredded Chicken Recipe
Save this recipe, it’ll be the only shredded chicken recipe you’ll need! It is so easy and it is so nice to have shredded chicken on hand that I make this at least once a week. My method for making shredded chicken results in the most moist, juicy chicken. All you need is salt, water, and chicken breast.
Chicken breast is my favorite cut to use for shredded chicken. It is inexpensive compared to other cuts of meat (TIP: buy in local and in bulk for even bigger savings). When a recipe calls for shredded chicken, meat from a rotisserie chicken works fine in a pinch, but homemade shredded chicken only takes slightly longer and it’s way more wallet-friendly!
What Our Readers Say
Great recipe and easy to follow! I've used this several times now and turns out perfect every time. - Jackie
How to Make Shredded Chicken
In about 20 minutes, you’ll have moist shredded chicken to enjoy! See the full instructions at the bottom of this page.
- Cover chicken breasts with cold water.
- Gently simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Shred! Take the cooked chicken out of the water and shred. That’s it!
How To Shred Chicken
To make perfectly shredded chicken (sometimes called pulled chicken), I like to aim for big, stringy bites of moist chicken that are just ready to fill enchiladas, tacos, top salads and go into soups! To achieve this, let the chicken breasts cool a bit, then use two forks to carefully pull them apart until the shreds are exactly how you like them.
How To Use Shredded Chicken
I often meal prep shredded chicken at the beginning of the week and then use it all week long. It truly goes with EVERYTHING, but here are a few of my favorite ways to use shredded chicken.
- In salads! For a quick and easy lunch, throw it into chicken salad or Waldorf salad. I also LOVE it in cobb salad and the kale salad for a super healthy meal I never get tired of!
- Add it to every Tex-Mex favorite! Try it in enchiladas or tacos or on top of nachos.
- Add it to soups! I love it in tikka masala soup, or of course classic chicken soup.
- It’s so delicious in empanadas, and if you have the chicken prepped, they come together easily.
- Make it BBQ shredded chicken by adding some BBQ sauce to it. Pile it into burger buns and dinner is done.
- Add it to a plain quesadilla, or even a more elaborate quesadilla, like this butternut squash version.
Tips and Variations
- LOW HEAT is the trick to truly moist shredded chicken! If you fully boil it, it will be tough.
- Add herbs and spices to the simmering chicken breast to give it more flavor! Try bay leaves, garlic cloves, whole peppercorns, thyme, rosemary or other fresh herbs.
- Swap chicken stock in for the water for ultra-flavorful shredded chicken.
- Use the exact same recipe but make it with boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead of breast meat for more flavorful meat!
- This recipe works with frozen chicken! Just add about ten minutes to the simmer time.
- If you buy chicken tenders instead of full breasts, be sure to reduce the simmer time to about 8 minutes.
How To Store + Freeze
Meal preppers, take note! Shredded chicken keeps in the fridge for up to 4 days. I love to store the chicken in a little bit of the poaching liquid to keep it extra moist! Just be sure to drain it before using.
Shredded chicken also freezes well so you could make large batches and freeze some for another day! It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you're ready to use it, thaw the shredded chicken overnight in the fridge and use however you'd like! I find that when I've frozen it, it's best added to dishes (like chicken divan, soup or enchiladas) rather than used to top salads or make chicken salad.
Tools You’ll Need
A Few Shredded Chicken Breast Recipes
Shredded Chicken: Check!
For more recipe inspiration, follow us on Substack, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Pinterest or order our cookbook. We love when you share your meals. Tag us on Instagram using #themodernproper, and we’d love to hear what you think of this recipe in the comments below. Happy cooking!
