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Zoomed in view of shredded chicken in a bowl.

Basic Shredded Chicken

Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Universal
Diet: Gluten Free
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 125kcal
Author: Lauren
This Basic Shredded Chicken (CrockPot or Stovetop) recipe is one everyone should have! Skip buying expensive pre-grilled or rotisserie chicken at the grocery store and make this extremely easy, minimal ingredient, juiciest shredded chicken ever!
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Ingredients

  • 2.5 lbs. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth (180g)
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 oz. packet ranch seasoning (28g) use only 1 Tbsp or to taste if doing Stovetop method
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

Crock-Pot Method:

  • Place the chicken breast in the Crock-Pot and pour the chicken broth over the top. Add the garlic and ranch powder on top of the chicken. Sprinkle salt and pepper.
  • Cover and cook on high for 3 to 4 hours, or until the meat easily shred with a fork.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks then return the chicken to the Crock-Pot to absorb the liquid. Taste and add additional salt and pepper to your liking.

Stovetop (Boiled) Method:

  • Place chicken in a large post and cover with chicken broth and/or water. Be sure to cover all the chicken. Season generously with salt.
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat. Once boiling, reduce heat to low and cover.
  • Allow chicken to cook until heated through, about 10-12 minutes for 3 breasts (depending on the size). You can always check chicken with a meat thermometer; internal temperature should be 160-165 degrees F. You can also cut chicken in half to see if the middle is cooked through or still pink.
  • When chicken is done, remove the chicken from the broth (don't throw chicken broth away yet!) transfer to a bowl and shred with two forks. Add 1/4 cup of the remaining broth to the chicken, along with the garlic cloves and just 1 Tbsp ranch seasoning if you are doing this method (or to taste). Toss the shredded chicken around to absorb the liquid. Taste and add additional salt and pepper to your liking.

Notes

The stovetop method absorbs less water than the Crock-Pot method. For that reason, the grams are slightly less for the same macros. I've created a MFP entry for both for more precise entries.
Recipes that call for Basic Shredded Chicken use the Stovetop method unless otherwise noted.
MFP Entry: LFF Basic Shredded Chicken Crock Pot
Serving size: 87g
MFP Entry: LFF Basic Shredded Chicken Boiled
Serving size: 65g

Nutrition

Serving: 1/12 of recipe (87 g) | Calories: 125kcal | Protein: 29.3g | Fat: 0.9g | Saturated Fat: 0.3g