Here are the easiest ways to shred cooked chicken. This tutorial will show you how to do it right, so you can use it in a lot of different recipes. Save time and money with these four simple methods.
Now that you’ve learned how to cook the perfect chicken breast, it’s time to use that perfectly cooked chicken in tons of delicious recipes. One of the best ways to use it up? Shred it and add it to enchiladas, salads, grain bowls, soups and more!.
This guide shows you how to shred chicken four different ways: with your hands, two forks, a hand mixer, and a stand mixer. Store it in the fridge or freezer for easy meal prep and be sure to check out all of our delicious recipes using shredded chicken at the bottom of the post.
You can use shredded chicken in a lot of different dishes, like salads, sandwiches, wraps, soups, and casseroles. It adds protein and texture to meals without much effort. At the store, you can buy chicken that has already been shredded, but it’s cheaper and often tastes better to do it yourself. Here are some quick and easy ways to shred chicken at home.
Cook the Chicken
The first step is cooking the chicken so it’s ready to be shredded. The best cuts to use are boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs since they’ll shred more easily without bones.
You can bake, grill, sauté, or poach the chicken. Just make sure to cook it until the middle is 165°F throughout. Undercooked chicken won’t shred well.
Poaching is one of the easiest cooking methods since it gently cooks the chicken in liquid. To poach, simmer chicken breasts for 10-15 minutes in broth or water with seasoning until cooked through
Let It Rest
Before shredding, let the chicken rest for 5-10 minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute so the meat stays moist and tender. Shredding chicken when it’s too hot can make the meat dry and stringy.
Shredding Methods
There are a few easy shredding techniques to try
By Hand
Using your hands is one of the simplest ways to shred chicken. Place the chicken on a clean cutting board and pull it apart into smaller pieces with your fingers This works well for all cuts of chicken.
With Two Forks
You can also shred chicken into smaller pieces with two forks. Place the cooked chicken on a cutting board. With one fork, hold it steady, and the other, pull and shred the meat. Keep shredding until you get the desired texture.
Stand Mixer
A stand mixer makes quick work of shredding chicken. Put the chicken in the bowl and use the paddle attachment on low speed for about 10-20 seconds until shredded uniformly. This technique works best for boneless chicken.
Hand Mixer
On the same note, a hand mixer set to low speed can quickly shred cooked chicken in a bowl. Use a deep bowl so chicken doesn’t fly out. Hand mixers are great for smaller batches.
Store and Use the Shredded Chicken
Once shredded, the chicken can be used right away in recipes or stored for later. To store, place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. You can also freeze shredded chicken for up to 4 months.
Some easy recipe ideas that use shredded chicken include:
- Chicken salad sandwiches or wraps
- Tacos or burrito bowls
- Casseroles like chicken pot pie or enchiladas
- Soups like chicken noodle or chicken tortilla soup
- Salads with chicken on top
- Stir fries with shredded chicken
Shredding chicken yourself at home saves money and lets you control the flavor. Poaching then shredding by hand, with forks, or using a mixer are all fast and easy methods. With shredded chicken on hand, you can quickly whip up nutritious meals for dinner or meal prep.
Method 3: use a hand mixer
I recommend only using boneless cooked chicken breast & thighs with this method.
Step 1: place your cooked chicken breast or thighs in a deep bowl.
Step 2: use a hand mixer on low speed to carefully break apart the chicken into shreds.
Step 3: continue with step 2 until your chicken is evenly shredded. You may need to shred larger pieces apart as you go to get nice, even shreds of chicken.
How much shredded chicken am I getting?
Many recipes call for a certain amount of cooked, shredded chicken, but how much chicken should you then start with?.
As a general rule, 2 ½ cups of shredded chicken can be made from 1 pound of cooked, boneless chicken breasts or thighs.
The SECRET to shredding chicken #chicken #foodhacks #cooking
FAQ
How long should you boil chicken breast to shred?
MethodPlace the chicken in a single layer in the bottom of a pan: It’s ok if the pieces overlap a little. Cover with an inch of water: Add the salt and any seasonings you’d like to use. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat: . Cover and simmer for 8 to 15 minutes: . Cool briefly, then shred or slice:
How do you make Shredded chicken?
If you’ve ever wondered how to make shredded chicken, you’re in luck! Here are the top three ways to shred chicken: Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer: This is the quickest method! Add your slightly-cooled chicken to a stand mixer (or bowl, if using a hand mixer) with the paddle attachment.
Can you make Shredded chicken with a fork?
There are two main ways to make shredded chicken—you can either use a fork or a stand mixer. We examine the pros and cons of each method and share the best way to cook chicken for shredding, the best chicken cuts for shredding, how to store shredded chicken, and our favorite ways to use this versatile protein.
How do you shred chicken with no mess?
Luckily for all of us, there’s an easy, foolproof way to shred chicken with minimal mess. It’s easy: just put cooked chicken that has been boned and skinned into a stand mixer with a paddle attachment and turn it on medium speed. (You can also use a large bowl and an electric hand mixer—more on that below. ).
Can You shred chicken immediately after it rests?
However, if you’re using mixer or food processor, you can shred the chicken immediately after it rests. Shredded chicken is a staple ingredient in many recipes, and here are 4 easy ways to shred it! Use your hands, a few forks, a mixer, or a food processor.
How do you shred a chicken breast?
Step 1: after you’ve cooked your chicken, be sure it’s cool enough to handle with your hands (but still warm) before shredding. Place your chicken on a clean surface like a cutting board or plate. Step 2: Tear the chicken breast into even pieces with your hands until the chicken is shred into the pieces you want.
Do you need to cook chicken before shredding?
Of course, before you shred your chicken you’ll need to cook it. You can use really any method, including baking, grilling, slow cooking, pressure cooking, etc. But our favorite method for cooking chicken for shredding is boiling. It’s quick and easy, and the chicken stays moist and tender, making it easy to shred.