menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipe Index
  • Main Dishes
  • Baby Food
  • Subscribe
  • About
×
Home » Recipes » Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Crockpot Shredded Chicken

Square headshot image of Family Food on the Table's Kathryn Doherty.
By Kathryn Doherty · Modified: Oct 1, 2025 · Published: Apr 12, 2021 · This post may contain affiliate links
Jump to Recipe
Pin

Crockpot shredded chicken is just a few simple seasonings and a few minutes to prep for tender, flavorful chicken that can be used in so many ways.

Great for meal prep and to make tacos, enchiladas, salads, sandwiches, casseroles, grain bowls and more!

Shredded cooked chicken served in a large white bowl


 

Today, I am finally, finally sharing my crockpot shredded chicken recipe that is an absolute go-to in my kitchen.

I've made this recipe dozens and dozens of times. Maybe a hundred times or more at this point.

Basically, I've made it on the regular ever since I've had a slow cooker, and that's been at least 15 years.

This chicken comes out perfectly cooked, tender and flavorful every single time. With so very little effort.

And we really only need the chicken and a few very basic seasonings that I guarantee you have on hand in your pantry. So it's easy to make any time.

Plus, you can set this to cook and walk away and go about your day. You can run errands, take the dog for a walk or visit a friend and not worry about leaving a stove or oven on.

That freedom is one of my favorite things about slow cookers.

But, if you're pressed for time, check out this Instant Pot shredded chicken. Same results, but ready in about 30 minutes.

My favorite thing about this chicken? It's so crazy convenient and versatile to have this on hand!

Cooked shredded chicken served in a large white bowl with colorful napkins nearby

I love to make a batch of this shredded chicken in the slow cooker and use some of it that night for dinner - for shredded chicken tacos or chicken enchiladas for instance - and then store the rest for later in the week.

I'll use it for chicken salad, sandwiches or sliders, grain bowls or salads, or make another entire meal with this chicken another night.

(See my post on ideas for shredded chicken for more ways to use it, plus recipe ideas!)

You can also freeze the extras - or make an entire batch to freeze, as I've done before - to have some cooked chicken ready to go in the freezer.

Having some protein prepped and ready to go is one of my favorite tricks for pulling together a weeknight meal with very little notice.

And while picking up a rotisserie chicken breast is convenient, it's a bit expensive and you won't get nearly as much meat as you do here.

Yup, I think you're going to fall in love with this method just like I did so long ago.

OK, let's get cooking!

Seasoned, cooked chicken breasts in a slow cooker

Recipe Notes:

Chicken: The recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breasts. You could substitute boneless, skinless chicken thighs if you like or use a mix of the two.

You can use either fresh or frozen chicken breasts, both work fine and are safe to use in the crock pot.

Seasoning: I've included a very basic seasoning mix that makes really flavorful chicken that can be used ANY way you want it. Keep reading for some other seasoning ideas.

Liquid: Nope, you don't need to add any liquid to your slow cooker. The chicken will release liquid as it cooks and there's no concern about a burn notice.

Storage: The cooked, shredded chicken will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 5-6 months. Be sure to label and date your container.

Also, to be on the safe side, I highly recommend using a digital thermometer to check the temperature of your chicken. Reminder: it should be 165 degrees F.

(Though I've never had a problem with this not cooking through all the way. It's also easy to tell by just seeing if the chicken pulls apart easily with a couple of forks.)

A white bowl full of shredded chicken cooked in a slow cooker with two forks tucked in the bowl

OK, let's talk flavor.

As written, this recipe just calls for salt, pepper and garlic powder. This is my go-to standard for a classic, versatile shredded chicken. You can use this as a base for anything!

But, if you want to season the chicken differently, that's absolutely an option. Here are a few ideas:

Seasoning Options:

  • Taco seasoning
  • Southwest seasoning
  • Italian seasoning or an herby mix (or herbs de provence seasoning)
  • Masala or Indian spice mix
  • Lemon pepper seasoning
  • Ranch seasoning
  • Cajun seasoning

Or if you're looking to season it up a bit more, check out this 3-ingredient Mexican shredded chicken made in the slow cooker.

A large white bowl with shredded chicken and two forks tucked in the side, with colorful napkins on the table

Ways to Use:

This simple shredded chicken is so versatile! Which is part of the reason I love having it on hand so much.

  • Use in place of rotisserie chicken for pretty much any recipe
  • Make enchiladas, nachos, tacos, quesadillas, burritos, etc.
  • Make chicken and rice casserole or chicken divan or another casserole
  • Use as the protein for grain bowls
  • Mix with a dressing and add to a salad
  • Or use to layer into a mason jar salad
  • Combine with your favorite pasta salad or quinoa salad to make it a main dish
  • Use in soups or stews
  • Use for stuffed pitas with some hummus or tzatziki and fresh veggies
  • Mix with BBQ sauce for BBQ chicken sandwiches
  • Make chicken salad (I do this with leftovers)

OK, I think you are all set. And I'm betting that you'll be making this on repeat for years and years to come just like me.

Happy cooking!

XO,

Kathryn

Overhead shot of shredded chicken in a large white bowl
PRINT PIN SaveSaved!
No ratings yet

Crockpot Shredded Chicken

Crockpot shredded chicken is just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes to prep. This tender, flavorful chicken is great for tacos, enchiladas, salads, sandwiches, grain bowls and more!
Prep Time5 minutes mins
Cook Time5 hours hrs
Total Time5 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Yield: 5 -6 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs or a mix)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions

  • Season both sides of the chicken breasts with the salt, pepper and garlic powder. Add the chicken to the bottom of the slow cooker insert.
  • Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or high for 2 ½ to 3 hours, until the chicken is cooked through and shreds easily. (If your breasts are frozen or especially thick, use the upper end of timing here.)
  • Remove the chicken breasts from the slow cooker and shred with two forks. You can also shred chicken quickly with a stand mixer.
  • Use immediately or store the shredded chicken until ready to use. (See notes below for details.)

Notes

Seasoning: I've included a very basic seasoning mix that makes really flavorful chicken that can be used ANY way you want it. But you could also use taco seasoning, southwest seasoning, Cajun seasoning, Ranch seasoning, Italian seasoning blend, lemon pepper seasoning, etc.
Leftovers: The cooked, shredded chicken will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freezer for up to 5-6 months. Be sure to label and date your container.
  • Pro tip: Add a few tablespoons of the liquid from the Instant Pot into the storage bag or container with the chicken. It helps prevent it from drying out too much.
Ways to use: See the section in the post above with a list of different ways to use shredded chicken.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 188kcal | Protein: 35g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 96mg | Sodium: 296mg
Tried this recipe?Leave a comment below or follow me on Instagram @familyfoodonthetable and tag me in your photo!

Pin

More Slow cooker chicken recipes

  • Close up of chicken tikka masala served over rice in a bowl.
    Slow Cooker Chicken Tikka Masala
  • Close up of a fork resting on a plate of crock pot chicken marsala with noodles.
    Slow Cooker Chicken Marsala
  • Square cut of a bowl of bourbon chicken over rice with chopped green onions on top and to the side and a pair of chopsticks resting on the bowl.
    Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken
  • Close up of a white platter with slow cooker Greek chicken with olives, peppers and onions topped with feta cheese and fresh herbs.
    Slow Cooker Greek Chicken

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Meet Kathryn

Hi there! I’m Kathryn Doherty, a cookbook author, mom of two, and devoted food and home cooking nut. I’ve got lots of easy recipes to help you get delicious food on the table for your family!

More about me →

Popular Recipes

  • A cream cheese chicken and mushroom mixture in a large pan with a wooden spoon resting in it.
    Easy Cream Cheese Chicken
  • Close up of honey garlic chicken served in a blue and white bowl with sliced green onions on top.
    Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
  • Close up of a whole roasted chicken on a large white serving platter with veggies and fresh parsley to the side.
    Easy Whole Roasted Chicken
  • Close up of a fork resting in a bowl of rice and curried ground turkey with peas.
    Curry Ground Turkey with Rice and Peas
  • Close up of a wooden spoon drizzling pan gravy over seared pork chops.
    Easy Skillet Pork Chops with Gravy
  • Close up of a dark skillet with a saucy honey garlic chicken dish with sesame seeds and sliced green onions sprinkled on top.
    15-Minute Honey Garlic Chicken

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Newsletter

  • Sign up for emails!

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Copyright
  • Accessibility

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Copyright © 2025 Family Food on the Table

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required