How to Shred Chicken Breast (3 ways!) – learn how to easily shred chicken breasts in the Instant Pot, Slow Cooker or Stove Top!
How to Shred Chicken Breast – 3 ways!
There are about a million things you can make with shredded chicken breast – right? It is one of the most versatile ingredients! And it is so easy to prep! Here are 3 super easy ways to shred chicken breast!
Here are my 3 go-to methods
- Instant Pot (fresh OR frozen chicken)
- Slow Cooker
- Stove Top
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Breast
Wait. Did I just say you could cook (and shred) frozen chicken breast in the Instant Pot?!?
Yes I did. It is even easier than you think and just because you forgot to take out the chicken from the freezer, you can still get dinner on the table in time!
Quickest way to Shred Chicken Breast
What is the quickest way? Honestly – it is the good old stove top method! You just bring some water to boil, toss in the chicken (you can even cut up the chicken to make it cook faster – although I think it holds in moisture better if you don’t) and let it simmer for bit! The Instant Pot is quick too, but don’t forget you have to let it come to temp, cook and then release pressure.
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How to Shred Chicken Breasts (3 ways!)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 6–8 servings 1x
- Category: Meal Prep
- Method: Instant Pot, Stove Top, Slow Cooker
- Cuisine: American
Description
How to Shred Chicken Breast (3 ways!) – How to easily shred chicken breast in the Instant Pot (using fresh or frozen chicken), Slow Cooker or Stove Top!
Ingredients
Instant Pot:
- 1 cup broth
- 3–4 chicken breasts
Slow Cooker:
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 4 chicken breasts
Stove Top:
- 3–4 chicken breasts
- water for saucepan
Instructions
Instant Pot (fresh chicken):
- Add 1 cup of chicken broth (or water) to Instant Pot.
- Place chicken inside (no need for trivet).
- Set Instant Pot to “Seal” and cook on High Pressure for 8-10 minutes.
- Allow Instant Pot to naturally release.
Instant Pot (frozen chicken)
- Add 1 cup of chicken broth (or water) to Instant Pot.
- Place chicken inside (no need for trivet).
- Set Instant Pot to “Seal” and cook on High Pressure for 10-12 minutes.
- Allow Instant Pot to naturally release.
Slow Cooker:
- Add broth and chicken to slow cooker.
- Cover and let cook on high for 3 hours or on low for 6-8 hours (or until enter of thickest part of chicken reaches internal temp of 165).
Stove Top:
- Take medium/large saucepan and fill 3/4 of the way with water.
- Bring to a boil.
- Add chicken to boiling water and reduce temp to bring water to a simmer.
- Let simmer 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully remove and ensure center of thickest part of chicken has reached 165 degrees.
To Shred:
- To shred simply pull cooked chicken apart with two forks or a pair of bear claws.
Notes
- The cook time varies depending on what appliance you use.
- This recipe was tested using a 6 quart Instant Pot Duo.
- Storage: To store, place in airtight container and place in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Joseph Smith says
Thank you for sharing these fantastic ideas, Erin! The instant pot method of shredding frozen chicken has amazed me, and I will surely try it. However, until now, the quickest way for me to shred chicken has been with a hand mixer. Simply place the chicken in a big mixing bowl and shred it with a mixer on low speed. It’s a huge time saver, especially if you’re preparing a reasonable amount.