How to make Easy Shredded Chicken 2 ways – in a slow cooker or Instant Pot and only 3 ingredients – will be a meal prep staple in your household for easy & healthy protein packed meals.
Make sure you to sign up for my email list to get Prep & Recycle – a free and exclusive meal prep guide on how to make and repurpose shredded chicken in 5+ meals during the week – all in under 2 hours!
Is should be no surprise to you that 2018 will start with an easy shredded chicken recipe? I mean I don’t know what took me so long to get this up on the blog. The recipe is so easy and it is kind of embarrassing to even call it a recipe. But I have had so many people ask me for it I figured it was time for it get an official blog post.
While I usually make shredded chicken in the slow cooker, I recently picked up an Instant Pot – well, technically I actually got it back in June and just started using it. Bonus of buying a house that actually has storage space and room to cook haha!
I know a lot of people have them these days so I wanted to show you how to make it in there as well. Both ways are super easy and require minimal work. It just depends if you want it to cook all day or if you want it in less than 30 minutes.
If you have followed along for awhile, you know shredded chicken is a staple in our house. I usually make it each week and we enjoy it in a bunch of different ways. It is like a blank canvas and so versatile. And I’m excited to say that I made an ebook for y’all to download (for FREE) on a handful of ways you can use it! Whoop whoop!!
This guide covers how to make shredded chicken 2 ways and uses in 5+ recipes. I am also showing you how to prep a handful of other items and repurpose them throughout the week into 5 different meals. Plus a bunch of other recipes you can use shredded chicken in!
In other words, it is a little meal prep guide on how you can prep and cook once a week and enjoy those foods in a variety of ways throughout the week.
This is how we eat each week and it makes shopping and meal time so simple. And interesting. No more boring repeat meals over and over again. Variety is key when you are staying on track with your health and wellness goals and I hope to help you achieve those.
Make sure you to sign up for my email list to get Prep & Recycle – a free and exclusive meal prep guide on how to make and repurpose shredded chicken in 5+ meals during the week – all in under 2 hours!
If you make this recipe or anything from Eat the Gains, make sure to post it and tag me so I can see all of your creations!!
#eatthegains and @eatthegains on Instagram!
How to Make Easy Shredded Chicken 2 Ways
Ingredients
- 3 pounds chicken breasts (boneless & skinless)
- 1/2-3/4 cup water or chicken broth*
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4-1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt & pepper, to taste
Instructions
Slow Cooker
- Pour water or broth into your slow cooker. Add chicken breasts and cover with seasonings. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
- Remove and add to a bowl and shred with 2 forks. Add in some of the liquid from the slow cooker to keep it moist.
Instant Pot/Pressure Cooker
- Pour water or broth into your pressure cooker. Add chicken breasts and cover with seasonings. Close lid and make sure it is locked and valve is set to sealed. Select 'Poultry' and cook on high pressure for 10-17 minutes. Amount of time will depend on how thick your breasts are. Let pressure release naturally or turn valve to venting for quick pressure release.
- Remove and add to a bowl and shred with 2 forks. Add in some of the liquid from the the pot to keep it moist.
Notes
Nutrition
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Anita
January 9, 2018 at 8:41 amSo easy! I need to bookmark this. Do you think beef can be substituted in this? I think I’ve been iffy about shredded chicken because a lot of times it’s too dry. Would using thighs instead of breasts be the solution or is there another solution while using breasts?
Kelly
January 12, 2018 at 8:08 amThanks Anita!! I find that doing it this way it doesn’t get dry, but I guess it could depend on your slow cooker. And you could add more liquid if you like. I’ve never done beef, but pork shoulder/butt works awesome. I’ve done chicken thighs and tend not to like them as much since they are a little fattier and the texture gets off for me in the slow cooker. But you could give it a go and see if you like it!
Amanda F
January 18, 2019 at 9:41 amSince finding this post, we have been prepping this chicken weekly in our home. We use it for soup, salads, quick meals etc. It’s absolutely fantastic.
Kelly
January 21, 2019 at 11:36 amLove that! So glad it has been so helpful! Thanks for trying it Amanda!