Shredded Chicken Recipes are an easy way to make flavorful meals for every day. Using shredded chicken as an ingredient adds flavor, texture and ease to a recipe.
In this comprehensive guide, you’ll learn exactly how to make perfect shredded chicken, creative ways to use it, and find a full roundup of my go-to shredded chicken recipes that are ideal for busy nights, meal prepping and everything in between.
Jump to:
Cooked Shredded Chicken
If you love quick, easy and reliable recipes, shredded chicken is your new best friend.
Get ready to learn several ways of how to make shredded chicken and delicious easy shredded chicken meals.
Check out my cooking methods, tips, uses and easy recipe ideas for every day.
Versatile and juicy, this kitchen staple freezes beautifully and works well in everything from soups and salads to casseroles, tacos and meal-prep recipes.
Let’s talk about everything you need to know about shredded chicken, from what it is, to how to cook it perfectly every time, or purchase a ready-cooked rotisserie chicken, and delicious ways to use it.
And I’m sharing a list of my favorite shredded chicken recipes to please every palate and inspire your weekly menu.
So get ready for lots of deliciousness and easy recipes that are guaranteed to become your new family favorite shredded chicken recipes!
What Is Shredded Chicken?
Shredded chicken is one of those kitchen go-to staples that can make weeknight cooking feel easy and effortless.
Simply stated, shredded chicken is cooked chicken that has been pulled apart, typically using a fork, into thin strands of chicken that are tender and juicy.
Shredded chicken is typically made from boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. However, you can cook a whole chicken and shred it and that will also work well.
The reason that shredded chicken is so versatile and used in many recipes is that it absorbs sauces and takes on spices and seasonings easily.
Shredded chicken is one of the most versatile proteins that you can keep on hand and use in recipes.
With its tender texture and the way it can soak up any flavor, it transforms simple ingredients into satisfying meals such as tacos, soups, salads, casseroles, sandwiches and more.
Also a great way to stretch a pound or two of chicken into many servings, shredded chicken becomes easy on the budget and easy for meal prepping too.
How to Cook Shredded Chicken
If you’re wondering how to make shredded chicken, you can cook it several ways. The choice is yours and any way you choose to cook it is an easy way so just choose the method that fits into your schedule.
Stovetop Method
The stovetop method is quick and reliable.
- Simmer boneless chicken breasts or chicken thighs in chicken broth, or water seasoned salt, pepper, onion, carrots and celery, until tender.
- This stovetop method will takes about 20 minutes for the chicken to be cooked through.
- Let the chicken cool to the touch and you will be able to easily shred it.
Slow Cooker
The slow cooker method is a hands-off way to cook the chicken.
- Add chicken, seasoning, and a little bit of broth to your slow cooker.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours or cook on high for 3-4 hours.
- Slow cooker chicken will be incredibly tender and will shred extremely easily.
Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker
Cooking chicken in the instant pot or pressure cooker is the fastest method for cooking the chicken.
- Pressure cook chicken with broth for 8–10 minutes, plus timing for natural release.
- Always check your instant pot manual for specific directions.
- This is ideal for busy weeknights when you need to cook your chicken quickly and last minute.
Oven-Baked Chicken
Baking chicken in the oven is a simple and flavorful way to make shredded chicken.
- Season chicken breasts or chicken thighs with your favorite seasoning, or for a simple seasoning use salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Bake the chicken in your oven at 400°F for 25 minutes or until cooked through.
- As with the other methods, let the chicken cool slightly and then shred.
- This method gives you slightly firmer, more flavorful chicken.
Poached Chicken
Poaching chicken will give you a lean and tender protein.
- Poach chicken gently over medium heat in seasoned water or in chicken broth until cooked through, about 20 minutes.
- Poaching will give you a delicate, ultra-moist shredded chicken that will be ideal for using in salads or lighter recipes.
Storebought Rotisserie Chicken
When you're short on time you can shred some leftover rotisserie chicken that you got at the grocery store.
- Also, if you want a lot of shredded chicken, use the entire storebought rotisserie chicken for your shredded meat.
- I recommend placing the warm chicken in a food storage bag and pressing it until the meat releases from the bones.
- Discard the bones and shred the chicken pieces to your desired size.
- This is the easiest way to "make" shredded chicken!
How to Shred Chicken
Once the chicken is cooked, you should let the chicken cool to the touch if using your fingers to shred or you can shred it while warm using one of these methods:
- Two Forks - The classic way to shred chicken is with two forks. Just pull the chicken apart into shreds using the two forks.
- Stand Mixer – Warm chicken can be shredded in your stand mixer using the paddle attachment. This is such a quick and easy way to shred chicken.
- Hand Mixer – Warm chicken can be shredded with a hand mixer on low speed until the chicken falls apart.
- By Hand – If you choose to shred the chicken by hand you will have more control of the size of the pieces and can shred the chicken into chunkier strands if desired.
Ways to Serve Shredded Chicken
Why is shredded chicken such a popular way to use chicken in a recipe you ask?
It’s because it is so versatile and works in so many types of recipes.
Here are some popular ways to use shredded chicken:
- Casseroles – Stir shredded chicken into baked pasta casseroles, pot pies, enchiladas and saucy casserole recipes.
- Dips and Appetizers – Shredded chicken makes a hearty dip such as buffalo chicken dip, is a fabulous addition to nachos and sliders too.
- Meal Prep – You can make a big batch of shredded chicken and keep it on hand for salads, tacos, sandwiches and more. I like to portion shredded chicken into containers and add rice, noodles or vegetables for an easy lunch prep for the week.
- Salads and Grain Bowls – Shredded chicken is ideal for adding to Caesar salads, Cobb salads, Mexican salad, quinoa bowls, or rice bowls.
- Sandwiches, Wraps and Sliders – An ideal filling for sandwiches, wraps and sliders, shredded chicken can take on any flavoring such as barbecue, aioli or ranch.
- Soups and Stews – Just stir the chicken into your favorite soup, chili or stew for added protein.
- Tacos, Burritos and Quesadillas - Toss the cooked chicken with taco seasoning, salsa, or enchilada sauce and serve in tacos, burritos and quesadillas for a delicious Mexican meal.
Why You’ll Love Cooking with Shredded Chicken
The reasons are many for why you'll love using shredded chicken in recipes. Here are just a few that come to mind:
- Adaptable – As I mentioned earlier, shredded chicken will easily absorb sauces and seasonings making it good to use in a variety of flavorful recipes.
- Efficient and budget-friendly – When you make a batch of shredded chicken it can be used for several meals.
- Family-friendly – You can season the chicken with a mild basic seasoning of salt, pepper and garlic powder and it will work well for both kids and adults.
- Freezer-friendly – I love that you can freeze shredded chicken and that it thaws out beautifully. I recommend freezing it in 1 or 2 cup portions that can be used for quick weeknight dinners.
- Perfect for busy schedules – Usings shredded chicken is a great way to prep for make-ahead meals.
How to Store and Freeze Shredded Chicken
- Refrigerator – You can store cooked shredded chicken in an airtight container for about 4 days in the refrigerator.
- Freezer – Shredded chicken can also be frozen in freezer food storage bags or freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months. To help keep the chicken moist, you can add a bit of broth before freezing.
- Reheating – Shredded chicken can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop over medium-low heat. I recommend adding some broth to help keep the chicken juicy and moist.
- See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Shredded Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
These are my favorite recipes made with shredded chicken.
Some of the recipes give you directions within the recipe for cooking the chicken and other recipes call for adding cooked shredded chicken.
Air Fryer Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas
Four ingredients, an air fryer and 8 minutes are all it takes to make Shredded Chicken Quesadillas for a delicious dinner, quick lunch or even snack.
Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken
Make an Air Fryer Rotisserie Chicken in just minutes with basic kitchen seasonings and you'll have an entire chicken to shred for your recipe.
Chicken Alfredo Naan Pizza
Alfredo sauce, shredded chicken, broccoli and mozzarella bake on naan bread for an easy, quick and delicious pizza dinner.
Avocado Chicken Soup
The fresh clean flavors of garlic, fresh ginger and lime and the buttery creaminess of chunks of avocados come together to create new comfort soup favorite, Avocado Chicken Soup.
Chicken Sliders
Chicken Sliders are bursting with shredded chicken tossed in a smoky-sweet barbecue sauce and topped with gooey melted cheese on tender buttery Hawaiian rolls.
Chicken and Dumplings
Homemade Chicken and Dumplings Recipe is most definitely the ultimate comfort food. Tender herb dumplings rest atop a creamy chicken and vegetable soup making this a favorite recipe for sure.
Chicken Birria Tacos
Chicken Birria Tacos are filled with flavorful chicken, onion and cheese. Serve them for dinner or as an appetizer with the homemade dipping sauce.
Chicken Lentil Soup
Chicken Lentil Soup is an easy homemade soup recipe for a weeknight dinner made with shredded chicken thighs and filled with fresh vegetables and lentils.
Chicken Orzo Soup
Chicken Orzo Soup is brimming with lemon flavor and a hint of fresh ginger and will be on your table in just 30 minutes.
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken Tortilla Soup is a delicious homemade soup with the Mexican flavors of green chiles, cumin and chili powder.
Creamy Chicken Soup
Creamy Chicken Soup is brimming with fresh vegetables and flavor. Evaporated milk gives this homemade soup its creamy texture.
Mexican Chicken Salad in a Jar
A creamy salsa dressing combines with chicken, black beans, corn, cheese, tomatoes and lettuce for a delicious Mexican Chicken Salad in a jar. An easy recipe to prep ahead!
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken
Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken is a four ingredient easy crockpot recipe that cooks itself in the slow cooker.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat slow cooks into a flavorful tender taco filling with just three ingredients, chicken, salsa and taco seasoning.
Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Taco Meat
Slow Cooker Cola Chicken
Slow Cooker Cherry Cola Garlic Chicken is an easy recipe that makes its own sweet and spicy sauce with brown sugar, cola soda and garlic.
Conclusion
This roundup highlights the best shredded chicken recipes from my kitchen, along with tips for cooking, shredding, storing, and using shredded chicken so you can make delicious, versatile meals any night of the week.
So when you’re looking for a reliable, budget-friendly protein that can do it all, shredded chicken deserves a permanent spot on your menu.
Remember that it’s easy to prepare, freezes beautifully, and can becomes the base for endless family-favorite dishes.
Love this. Thank you for the compilation! Will be trying the buffalo chicken recipe.