These Shredded Chicken Recipes are anything but boring with five delicious flavour options that are all great for meal prep.
How to make shredded chicken
There are several methods you can use to make juicy and flavourful shredded chicken for meal prep. All these methods are easy, so choose the one that works best for you.
- Poaching – You can poach chicken on the stovetop. Just simmer it in water or chicken stock for about 20 minutes.
- Slow Cooker – If you want to start your meal in the morning and come home to fully cooked chicken that is ready to shred, make it in your crockpot. Cook the chicken on low power for eight hours. When you arrive home from work or school, the chicken will be ready to be shredded. This shredded chicken crockpot recipe is the most hands-off option.
- Instant Pot – If you need shredded chicken immediately, you can use your pressure cooker. Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes then do a quick release of the pressure, open the lid and remove the chicken and shred.
How to shred chicken
Chicken is the easiest to shred while it is warm. So, even if you plan to use the meat later in the week, I recommend shredding it as soon as possible after it finishes cooking for the best shredded chicken meal prep. There are several ways you can shred it depending on what kitchen tools you have on hand.
- Forks – Warm chicken can be shredded using two forks. Hold one fork in each hand and use the tines to pull the cooked chicken apart.
- Stand Mixer – If you own an electric stand mixer, this may be the easiest way to shred chicken. Fit the mixer with a paddle attachment and add the cooked chicken to the mixing bowl. Turn on the mixer at medium speed and the paddle will shred the chicken for you. A hand mixer at low speed would also work!
- Food Processor – If you want more finely shredded chicken, you can use a food processor. However, it is important not to process the chicken for very long. Otherwise, you will end up with minced chicken or even chicken pate!
What to do with shredded chicken
There are tons of things you can make with these shredded chicken meal prep recipes. I put together a few ideas if you're looking for inspiration:
- Use it to make chicken quesadillas, chicken enchiladas, shredded chicken tacos or burrito bowls
- Add it to your favourite soup like chicken noodle soup or chicken tortilla soup
- Use it to make a variety of healthy meal prep bowls
- Add it to Buffalo chicken wraps or Kale chicken Caesar wraps
- Make it into a topping for your nachos, loaded fries or baked potatoes
- Toss it into your favourite pasta for a quick and easy dinner
- Make a healthy chicken salad
Frequently Asked Questions
You can shred chicken using two forks, a stand mixer or a food processor. An electric stand mixer is probably the easiest way to shred it, but any of those three methods will work!
I prefer to use boneless chicken breasts when making shredded chicken, but boneless chicken thighs would work as well. Just keep in mind that the cooking times will be different for thighs vs. breasts.
It's best to shred chicken when it's warm, because it's a lot easier to pull the chicken apart. Technically you can shred chicken when it's cold, it'll just be harder to do and you might need to use a knife vs. two forks.
If you want to make shredded chicken but all you have is frozen meat, check out my Instant Pot frozen chicken breasts recipe – it's the easiest method!
Yes! You can double, triple or even quadruple this recipe based on your cooking method. Shredded chicken is great for meal prep and freezes really well, so you can make a big batch and store or freeze some for later.
The Best Shredded Chicken Flavours
There are so many different ways you can flavor your chicken! I rounded up five of my favourite shredded chicken sauce and seasoning ideas that will work for any meal. Plus, with five different options, you'll never get bored. Feel free to try out different seasonings and spices until you find something you love.
Shredded BBQ chicken
This seasoning option is great for classic BBQ staples like pulled chicken sandwiches! Just toss the shredded chicken with your favourite barbecue sauce and you're good to go.
Jerk-inspired shredded chicken
Enjoy all the flavors of the Caribbean with this jerk-inspired seasoning! Enjoy the chicken on its own or make it into a salad with some fresh avocado, mango and bell peppers for extra flavor.
Lemon oregano shredded chicken
This lemon oregano shredded chicken is perfect for making Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Add the chicken to pita bread or serve it with a Greek salad for a delicious meal.
Chili lime shredded chicken
Try out a fun spin on your favourite Mexican-inspired dishes with this chili lime chicken seasoning. Looking for more taco-inspired ideas? Toss the chicken in my homemade taco seasoning.
Teriyaki shredded chicken
I love using this teriyaki shredded chicken to make lettuce wraps! Just toss the chicken in soy sauce and hoisin sauce and dig in.
Storing and reheating
Shredded chicken is great for meal prep, and you can even double, triple or quadruple this recipe. Shredded chicken will last in the fridge in an airtight glass container for up to 4 days. You can serve it cold or reheat it in the microwave or in a frying pan on the stovetop. To keep it from drying out, I recommend undercooking the chicken slightly when you're prepping it. You could also add a bit of water or extra shredded chicken sauce over top before reheating.
Freezing shredded chicken
Shredded chicken is super easy to freeze. When frozen in small portions, it’s a pre-measured boost of protein for soup, salad or pasta dishes. Let it cool then freeze individual portions (about 3/4 to 1 cup at a time) in freezer-safe Ziploc bags or glass bowls for up to 3 months.
You can defrost the chicken in the fridge overnight or reheat it in the microwave from frozen for 5 to 6 minutes. Be sure to sprinkle about 1 tbsp. of water overtop if microwaving and stir halfway through the reheating time to avoid that pesky leftover chicken taste, then use it to make any shredded chicken meal prep recipe of your choice!
More chicken meal prep recipes
Meal Prep Tools
- Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on turning this shredded chicken into meal prep.
- I get all my free-range chicken from Butcher Box, conveniently delivered to me frozen.
- Get a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is cooked through.
- Use these Ziploc bag holders if you're marinating the chicken then freezing it.
- Freeze this recipe in reusable freezer bags for up to 3 months.
5 Easy Shredded Chicken Recipes
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
Chili lime
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp salt
BBQ
- 1/2 cup BBQ sauce
Lemon oregano
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp salt
Teriyaki
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
Jerk-inspired
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 1 tsp allspice
- 1 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp thyme
- 1 tsp paprika
Instructions
Crockpot
- Add chicken and seasonings of choice to crockpot. Cook on low for 8 hours, then remove chicken and shred before returning to the pot and giving a good stir.
- Serve as meals pictured in the post if desired – further instructions on how to use each type of shredded chicken are pictured above.
Instant Pot
- Add 1 cup water or chicken broth to the bottom of the Instant Pot then place in trivet. Add in chicken breasts and seasonings.
- Cook on high pressure for 6 minutes, then do a quick release of the pressure, or let the pressure release naturally for more tender chicken (will take about 20 minutes). Remove chicken and shred, then place back in pot and toss to combine.
- Serve as meals pictured in the post if desired – further instructions on how to use each type of shredded chicken are pictured above.
Stovetop
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil on the stovetop. Add chicken then cook for 20 minutes or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 F.
- Remove chicken from water then shred chicken. Drain water from pot, then add chicken back to pot and mix in seasonings of choice.
- Serve as meals pictured in the post if desired – further instructions on how to use each type of shredded chicken are pictured above.
Video
Comments & Reviews
Tara says
By golly, this is brilliant! 👏 I wish I had done this sooner.
I did the IP method for Mexican last week & Greek (Lemon Oregano) this week. The later was so good just to store in the fridge & my partner would just eat it by the forkful cold! I can’t believe how this stretches two chicken breasts alone! My 9yo had two mini wraps for his lunch…& asked for more. ( Cream cheese spread onto whole wheat wraps were perfect for school! ) Thank you so much!