Super-Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

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Life has been extra crazy since T joined the party! Busy and joyful is the name of the game right now and it seemed fitting that I share one of my tricks for making many of my recipes come together much quicker. This isn’t so much recipe as it is a kitchen hack to make the easiest Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken.

I always use this Super Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe when I make my Buffalo Chicken Braid. Click the photo to get that recipe!

I have a ton of recipes that call for chicken breast. Unless a recipe specifically calls for cut up chunks of chicken, I always assume it’s meant to have shredded chicken because I find the texture to be more desirable and easier to eat. But I absolutely cannot stand having to shred up chicken that has been baked or boiled because I’m kind of lazy and don’t like having to exert myself more than necessary and use my muscles (now that I’m no longer pregnant and have to start thinking about getting into shape, this could be a problem…).

So I started thinking, what is the easiest way to get meat to fall apart with the least amount of work? That’s right, the slow cooker.  My love for my slow cooker runs deep because anything that lets me throw ingredients into a pot and then does all the work for me during the day is a definite win as far as I’m concerned. This is the Slow Cooker I use and I love it because it has pot inserts in a few different sizes which is great for cooking something small for my family or something large for a group!

This Shredded Chicken is such an easy addition my me Chicken and Parmesan Soup with Spinach and Orzo. Click the photo to get the recipe!

Now I generally use chicken breasts and water for this hack, because I like my chicken to be a blank canvas that I can then add to whatever recipe I’m making, regardless of what flavor profile the recipe uses. Additionally, the cooking water makes a great base for stock that you can then turn into a delicious soup if you’re in a pinch and don’t have bones to cook off. You could always use broth, salsa, anything liquid-based if you wanted to add a specific flavor.

This can also be used right away or frozen to use later (I measure out cups into small baggies). I always make a point to do minimal shredding to the chicken, because if you over shred it, it can get a very stringy consistency, and will get mealy if you freeze it. Enjoy!

Super-Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Source: The Life Jolie

Cooking Time: 4-6 hours total, 10 minutes active

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts (frozen or thawed)
• Water

Place the chicken breasts into your slow cooker pot.

Cover with water.

Cover and cook on high for 4-6 hours.

Remove the chicken from the water and lightly shred (make sure you don’t over-shred the meat!).

Freeze or add it to whatever recipe you’re making.

Enjoy!

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