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Learn how to shred chicken with 4 easy methods! Save time and money by cooking and shredding your own chicken to use in a variety of recipes.
Want to know my favorite recipes using shredded chicken? Try my White Chicken Enchiladas or my Pesto Chicken Sliders.
Does that new recipe you’ve been wanting to try call for shredded chicken? Make easy work of it using one of the simple methods I’ll share in this step-by-step guide for how to shred chicken.
Learn the easiest ways to shred chicken for shredded chicken tacos, enchiladas, salads, wraps, sandwiches, and more.
In this easy guide, you’ll learn 4 different methods for shredding chicken – by using your hands, a couple of forks, a hand mixer, or a stand mixer. I’ll also show you how to portion and store your shreds and share a bunch of great recipes for using them up.
How to cook and Shred chicken
How to Cook Shredded Chicken
I’ve got several methods for cooking juicy flavorful chicken that is perfect for shredding. Each of these methods using a simple flavor profile but you can add flavorful seasonings to match the recipes you’re using the shredded chicken in. Or, just season with salt and pepper.
- Oven Baked Chicken Breasts
- Stovetop Chicken Breast
- Poached Chicken
- Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken
- Instant Pot Shredded Chicken
How to Shred Chicken
Here are 4 foolproof methods for shredded chicken. Use the shreds in your favorite recipe or portion and freeze for later. You can shred chicken either hot or cold, but if your using your hands you want to make sure it’s cool enough to handle.
With your hands: Recommended for all types of chicken, but especially for bone-in chicken breasts and thighs. Once chicken is cool enough to handle, place it onto a sturdy surface. Use your hands to gently pull apart the chicken into large chunks, then break those apart into smaller shreds.
With a hand mixer: I recommend using only boneless skinless chicken breasts or thighs. Place chicken in a large, deep mixing bowl. Use your hand mixer on low speed to break up the chicken into nice, even shreds.
With a stand mixer: I recommend using only boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts. Place your chicken into the bowl of your stand mixer and, using the paddle attachment, turn the mixer to low speed to break up the chicken into nice, even shreds. In my opinion this is the easiest way to shred chicken.
With forks: Perfect for all types of boneless or bone-in chicken. Place the cooked chicken onto a cutting board. Using 2 forks, gently pull the chicken apart.
How Much Shredded Chicken Do You Need?
Most recipes will call for shredded chicken in volume measurements (1 cup, etc), but your whole chicken pieces are measured by weight. So how much do you actually need?
As a general rule: Each pound of boneless chicken will yield about 2-2 ½ cups of shredded chicken.
Storage Tips
How to Store Shredded Chicken
Having shredded chicken on hand is the perfect meal prep hack! Portion and store in the fridge for use within a few days, or freeze for use within 6 months.
Refrigerate: Portion shredded chicken into resealable plastic bags or airtight containers. Store in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Use for lunches or in your favorite dinner recipes.
Freeze: Portion shredded chicken into freezer bags or airtight containers. Freeze for up to 6 months. Thaw fully before using in your favorite recipes.
Chicken Recipes Using Shredded Chicken
- White Chicken Chili
- Hot Chicken Bacon Ranch Sliders
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Crispy Chicken Flautas
- King Ranch Chicken Casserole
- Avocado Chicken Salad
- Green Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Chicken Minestrone Soup
- Creamy Chicken Soup
- BBQ Chicken Quesadilla
Equipment
- 2 Forks
Ingredients
- 1 pound Boneless, skinless chicken breasts fully cooked
Instructions
Shred with a Hand Mixer
- Place chicken in a large, deep mixing bowl. Use your hand mixer on low speed to break up the chicken into nice, even shreds.
Shred with a Stand Mixer
- Place boneless chicken into the bowl of the stand mixer and, using the paddle attachment, turn the mixer to low speed to break up chicken into nice, even shreds.
Shred with 2 Forks
- Place cooked chicken onto a cutting board. Using 2 forks, gently pull the chicken apart.
Shred with Your Hands
- Once chicken is cool enough to handle, place onto a sturdy surface like a cutting board or plate. Use your hands to gently pull apart the chicken into large chunks, then break those apart into smaller shreds.
Notes
Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.
