This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken is a meal prep staple! Make a big batch at the beginning of the week to add to salads, wraps, bowls, and more.

shredded chicken in black bowl with fork

Why You’ll Love This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Super easy – All you have to do is combine the ingredients, and the slow cooker does all the hard work! Come back after a few hours to shred the chicken, and it’s good to go.
Versatile – You can enjoy the meat as-is. Or, pair it with dressings, sauces, or add your favorite toppings. This is a great staple recipe to use in any recipe that calls for shredded chicken.
Great for meal prep – You can easily make a big batch to store in the fridge or freezer and reheat for quick meals throughout the week whenever you need them.

Recipe Ingredients

Chicken breast: You’ll need two pounds of chicken for this recipe. I prefer to use boneless skinless chicken breasts because they are quite a bit leaner however, boneless skinless chicken thighs will also work if that’s what you prefer.

Low-sodium chicken broth: I like to use low-sodium chicken broth so that I can better control the amount of sodium in the chicken. You could also swap the chicken broth for veggie broth or water if that’s all you have.

Seasonings: we’re using garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and a bay leaf to add subtle but delicious flavor.

Flavor Variations

Swap the Seasonings: Looking for bolder flavor? Use Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, homemade ranch seasoning, or any combination you like best.
Add Salsa: Create a Tex-Mex flavor by swapping the broth with your favorite chunky salsa.

chicken, spices, and broth in slow cooker

How to Make This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Recipe

Step One: Add the chicken breast, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to the slow cooker.

Step Two: Cover, and cook on high for 2 to 3 hours or low for 4 to 5 hours. The chicken should be tender and easy to shred when it’s done!

Step Three: Transfer the chicken to a plate, and use two forks to shred the meat.

Step Four: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker, and stir to combine it with the juices.

shredded chicken in slow cooker with two forks

Does This Recipe Freeze Well?

Yes! Once cooled, you can transfer the leftover shredded chicken to an airtight container or sealable freezer bag. It will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 6 months.

How Long Does Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken Last?

Leftovers will stay fresh in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. Enjoy them cold on a salad or reheat them in the microwave when you’re ready to eat.

Serving Suggestions

I seriously love how you can make so many different recipes from this one staple recipe. Some of my favorite ways to use it include:

In a salad or rice bowl with your favorite toppings.
As a sandwich or wrap.
In soups and stews.
In tacos, quesadillas, burritos, or enchiladas.
To make nachos.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

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Author: Ashlea Carver
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes
Yield: 8 1x
Category: Dinner
Method: Slow Cooker
Cuisine: American
Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This slow cooker shredded chicken is made with simple ingredients for an easy meal prep protein option to use in all your favorite recipes!

Ingredients

Scale

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast chicken breast
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 dried bay leaf

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Instructions

Add the chicken breast, chicken broth, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and bay leaf and spices to the base of a slow cooker.
Cook the chicken on high for 2-3 hours or on low for 4-5hours until the chicken is tender and easy to shred.
Remove the chicken breast from the slow cooker and use two forks to shred the meat. Return the meat to the slow cooker and stir to combine with juices. Serve however you like and enjoy!