Making shredded chicken is as easy as boiling chicken to just the right temperature and then shredding it. with a mixer! Let me show you how to make this in 20 minutes from start to finish!.
Both the Instant Pot and the crock pot have been used to make shredded chicken, but boiling chicken on the stove is by far the easiest and best way to do it. Trust me on this!.
Yes, I said mixer! Once you shred chicken this way, youll never go back to shredding it by hand. You have no idea how much time Ive wasted shredding chicken breasts by hand over the years.
I dont know about you, but I like to keep cooked chicken on hand in the refrigerator and freezer because its a good source of protein that can be added to just about anything.
Whether you are a meal prep queen or a mom who takes meals day by day, I think youll agree that keeping shredded cooked chicken on hand is an absolute must!.
Plus, most kids enjoy chicken that is served plain or with a simple sauce or topping, which makes it even better. My daughter actually asked me today, “This chicken is so good, can I have it for lunch?” She added a little cheese and packed it up. So easy!.
But, of course, shredded chicken breast is mostly used to make a variety of dishes like chicken salad and chicken enchiladas.
What Im trying to say is that this shredded boiled chicken (also known as poached chicken) is what you need to have on hand for when recipes call for “cooked chicken” to be added. Make sense? [feast_advanced_jump_to]
It’s easier than you think to cook chicken until it falls off the bone. With a few simple tips, you’ll have deliciously tender pulled chicken in no time.
Why Fall-Off-The-Bone Chicken is So Tasty
When chicken is cooked until it falls off the bone, it’s very juicy and full of flavor. When the collagen in the chicken breaks down, the meat is juicy and easy to shred. It’s perfect for soups, sandwiches, tacos, casseroles, and more.
Fall-off-the-bone chicken is great for busy home cooks. You can boil a batch on the weekend to use throughout the week in quick weekday meals. Kids love pulled chicken too, so it’s an easy way to get picky eaters to eat a healthy protein.
How Long Does it Take to Boil Chicken?
The exact boiling time depends on a few factors
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Size of chicken breasts – Larger breasts take longer. Smaller cutlets may only need 10-12 minutes.
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Amount of chicken – The more chicken you add to the pot, the longer it will take. Boiling 1-2 breasts won’t take as long as 6 chicken breasts.
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Bone-in or boneless – Chicken on the bone takes longer to cook through. Boneless breasts cook faster.
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Temperature – Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F-175°F.
For 1-1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the boiling time is typically 15-20 minutes.
To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of knowing when the chicken is safe to eat.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for tender pulled chicken every time:
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Put chicken in the pot. Put chicken breasts that are boneless and skinless in the pot and cover them with water or chicken broth. Make sure the chicken is fully submerged.
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Boil: Put the sauce on high heat and bring it to a boil. Then reduce heat and simmer until cooked through.
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Check temperature – Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F-175°F when done.
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Drain and shred – Drain the chicken and place it into a mixing bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken until it falls apart easily.
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Flavor as desired – Mix in barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, salsa, etc. The cooked chicken will soak up the flavors.
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Serve or refrigerate – Pulled chicken is now ready to serve. Or store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Tips for Super Tender Chicken
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Use bone-in chicken thighs for even more flavor and moisture during boiling. Debone before shredding.
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Add herbs, garlic, onion, and lemon to the poaching liquid. This infuses the chicken with extra flavor.
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Don’t overcook the chicken. It will dry out. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
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Chill the chicken in the fridge in the poaching liquid. This keeps it extra moist.
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Use low sodium chicken broth instead of water for a more savory flavor.
Common Questions
How long should I boil chicken to shred it?
For 1-1.5 pounds of boneless chicken breasts, boil for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and tender. Larger pieces take longer.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, boiling is a great way to cook frozen chicken breasts. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What temperature should boiled chicken reach?
The minimum safe temperature is 165°F. For fall-off-the-bone chicken, cook to 175°F for maximum tenderness.
Do I need to flip the chicken while boiling?
Flipping is not necessary. As long as the chicken is fully submerged, it will cook evenly.
Can I boil chicken in the Instant Pot?
Yes, the Instant Pot steams chicken under pressure to make it very moist and tender. Adjust cooking time as needed.
Delicious Ways to Use Fall-Off-The-Bone Chicken
Pulled chicken is incredibly versatile. Try these tasty recipes:
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Chicken Salad Sandwiches – Toss shredded chicken with mayo, celery, onions, and spices for a classic chicken salad.
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Chicken Tacos – Season boiled chicken with taco seasoning and pile it on tortillas with all the fixings.
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Chicken Noodle Soup – Simmer pulled chicken in broth with veggies and egg noodles.
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Chicken Pot Pie – Mix tender chicken with vegetables and gravy, then top with a pie crust.
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Chicken Enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce.
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Buffalo Chicken Wraps – Toss boiled chicken in buffalo sauce and serve in lettuce wraps.
The possibilities are endless! Chicken that falls off the bone has the most amazing texture and taste for all kinds of dishes.
Follow this simple boiling technique for mouthwatering pulled chicken. In about 20 minutes or less you can have a hearty protein ready to mix into soups, salads, sandwiches and more. Leftover chicken will keep in the fridge for several days, so you can prep a big batch to use all week long.
How to Boil Chicken for Shredding: Step-by-Step
All you need to do is boil the chicken and then shred it! Sounds easier said than done, I know. But really it doesnt get much easier than this.
Luckily, you don’t need a slow cooker or Instant Pot to cook chicken. It’s very simple and tastes great.
Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make easy shredded chicken. For the full list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Skeletal chicken breasts should be put on the bottom of a pan. Add about 1 ½ to 2 inches of water to cover the chicken. To give you an idea, I put 1.5 pounds of chicken breast in a 2-quart pan and added 3 1/2 to 4 cups of water. 5-quart saucepan.
- Cook on medium-high heat. Lower the heat when the water starts to boil so that it stays at a slow boil.
- The chicken is done when the temperature inside reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will change based on how many pounds of chicken you cook at once and how big each breast is. It can take anywhere from 12-17 minutes.
- When the chicken meets 165 degrees, it’s ready to shred.
- Carefully take the chicken breasts out of the water and put them in a dish to be shredded later. You can also put the chicken breasts in a bowl and use a mixer to shred them.
Leftover Shredded Chicken Recipes
- Chicken tossed in with tortellini and pesto. This is my favorite easy dinner to make during the week, and my kids love it even on a busy day.
- Make chicken enchiladas, taco salad, and shredded chicken tacos with these Mexican chicken recipes.
- Chicken soups or white chicken chili. Shredded chicken can even be used in place of ground turkey when making turkey chili.
- Leftover shredded chicken can be used to make chicken salad, Caesar salad, or the top of a kale salad.
- If you want to make buffalo chicken dip, shred some chicken and mix it with Trader Joe’s Jalapeño Artichoke dip. This will make a quick and easy chicken dip with a little heat.
- BBQ chicken: To make this, all you have to do is mix barbecue sauce with shredded chicken.
- If you want your shredded chicken to taste better, try adding pepper, herbs, and crushed garlic cloves to the boiling water. You could also boil the chicken in chicken broth to make it taste even better.
- Do not overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken is tough to chew and harder to shred.
- To find out how hot the chicken is, use a digital instant read thermometer.
- Shred chicken and freeze it for times when you need it quickly.
- Shredded chicken stores well in the refrigerator. Just make sure to eat it or freeze it within three to four days.
- There are a lot of recipes that call for “cooked chicken.” This is it!
- About 2 cups of cooked, shred chicken can be made from one pound of chicken.