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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Beat the cooking dinner blues. Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is an easy and tasty freezer meal starter!

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Breasts are a tasty freezer meal starter!

There is nothing more satisfying when you are pressed for dinner than going to the freezer and seeing that some of the work has already been done. Having Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken in the freezer is a huge time-saver and makes getting dinner on the table easy.

This chicken is great for making appetizers too, like Buffalo Chicken Cheese Sliders.

I admit, it took me a good long while to get organized enough to make this happen. It’s not the process that is hard, it’s actually following thru. Have you ever bought ingredients to make something and then it sits in the fridge and you end up making something else with it, or throwing it away. No more.

Raw chicken breasts in slow cooker

How to make slow cooker shredded chicken

Making shredded chicken in the slow cooker could not be simpler.

First, choose what kind of chicken you want. I almost always use chicken breasts, but thighs work too. I find they are harder to shred, but that dark meat flavor makes it worth it. Or use a combination for both light and dark meat.

Next, put the chicken in the slow cooker. I like to cook 4 – 5 pounds at a time. Sprinkle on some salt and pepper, close the lid and turn it to HIGH for 3 – 4 hours.

The chicken is done when a meat thermometer reads at least 165°, and the chicken pulls apart easily with a fork.

Remove the chicken from the slow cooker, reserving the liquid. Let the chicken cool slightly. Shred the pieces with two forks into small pieces. Allow the shredded chicken to cool down in the refrigerator then package into labeled freezer bags or containers. Seal the bags, getting as much air out as you can, seal and put them in the freezer.

To keep the chicken from drying out when you reheat it, add a 1/4 cup of the slow cooker liquid to each bag or container after you fill it.

cooked chicken being shredded with two forks

Shredding chicken can be hard on the hands. Two forks will do the trick, but a pair of Hero Star Bear Claws from Amazon really make the job quick and easy.

Packaged chicken in freezer bags for easy storage

Is It Safe To Freeze Cooked Chicken

Yes, it is perfectly safe to freeze cooked chicken, as long as it was initially cooked by the use-by date on the package. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Once thawed, use the chicken within 24 hours.

How Do I Freeze Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken To Use Later

Before filling, grab a marker and label your freezer bags or containers with the date, contents and amount that it contains. I use the quart size freezer bags for shredded chicken and put 1 or 2 cups of chicken into each bag.

Make slow cooker shredded chicken breasts for an easy meal starter!

I love these Freezer Court Bags from Amazon. They are durable and budget-friendly! Honestly, most brands are pretty similar, but my grocery store doesn’t carry freezer bags in the quart size.

Slow Cooker shredded chicken

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is an easy starter for quick suppers, soups and salads.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time :5 minutes
Cook Time :3 hours
Total Time :3 hours 5 minutes
Servings :12
Calories :215
Course :Dinner, Salad, Soup

Ingredients

  • 5 pounds chicken breasts boneless, skinless
  • salt and pepper

Instructions 

  • Place chicken breasts in the bottom of slow cooker. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
  • Turn slow cooker to HIGH and cook for 3 – 4 hours, until chicken pulls apart easily with a fork and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F on meat thermometer.
  • Remove chicken to a large platter to cool slightly. Using two forks, shred meat into small pieces.
  • Cover and refrigerate up to 3 days. Freeze in labeled airtight containers or freezer bags for up to 3 months.

Chef Tips

Follow the same instructions for a smaller amount of chicken breasts.

Nutrition Facts

Nutrition Facts
SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN
Serving Size
 
1 cup
Amount per Serving
Calories
215
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4.9
g
8
%
Saturated Fat
 
1.07
g
7
%
Cholesterol
 
120.96
mg
40
%
Sodium
 
219.24
mg
10
%
Potassium
 
699.29
mg
20
%
Protein
 
40.12
g
80
%
Vitamin A
 
56.7
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
 
2.27
mg
3
%
Calcium
 
9.45
mg
1
%
Iron
 
0.7
mg
4
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

© Copyright Christine Mello for Must Love Home. We would love for you to share a link to this recipe but please do not copy/paste the recipe instructions to websites or social media. We are happy for you to share a photo with a link back to this website instead.

 

I’m Christine, a self-appointed foodie and almost empty-nester who is addicted to creating quick and tasty recipes that anyone can make. My goal is to give you the confidence and know-how to cook from scratch with easy, budget-friendly recipes. Welcome to my kitchen! Learn more…

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