Boiled shredded chicken you find in so many recipes and most don’t explain the technique to do it properly. I show a step by step version in order to make the most flavorful shredded chicken for salads, tacos, omelettes, dips and casseroles.
Have you ever came across a recipe that called for boiled shredded chicken but didn’t tell you how to do it? We all have! Yet, some of the best recipes call for it. I mean it’s super versatile. I use it in my buffalo chicken dip, buffalo chicken pinwheels and its great in chicken fajitas as well. There a few different methods to achieve this but I will show you step by step the easiest way with a few tips along the way.
Can I Use Fresh Or Frozen Chicken
Yes, either work in this recipe. I personally prefer fresh but frozen will take longer. Due to the fact it has to thaw while in the pot before starting the cooking process.
How To Make Boiled Shredded Chicken
Making boiled shredded chicken is easier than the crockpot or the instant pot. In a medium sized pot add water and chicken broth. The broth can be subbed for all water if you don’t have any. Broth just adds a nice touch of flavor to the chicken. Yet, seasoning the water with salt will give some of those properties.
Bring water to a boil. Then, add in boneless skinless chicken breast and bring to a simmer. Optional but next, toss in a couple of stems of thyme for a little herb flavor.
Little touches like that you can taste in the chicken. Due to the nature of the flavor of chicken it taste like whatever you throw at it.
Cover and allow to boil for 20-25 minutes. This varies on the size of the breast you use. Thin breast may only take 10-15 minutes.
The way to test it is to simply remove from water and using your forks give the chicken a pull. If the inside is raw add additional minutes to it. The chicken will be easy to pull the closer it is to being finished. So, if you’re able to pull it apart but it’s slightly undercooked, add about 5-7 minutes additional time.
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Avoid allowing chicken to boil in raging water. A simmer is best because what would happen is the outside will overcook causing it to be hard to pull apart.
- The herbs are optional along with the broth. Those things crank up the flavor and I can tell a difference in the finished product.
How To Store Shredded Chicken
- In the refrigerator, chicken keeps about a week. Store in a sealed container.
- Can you freeze shredded chicken, in a freezer safe container the chicken can be frozen for over a month. But, shred it before you freeze it. I have found it shreds the easiest when fresh.
What To Make With Shredded Chicken
- Tacos
- Dips (Buffalo Dip)
- Casseroles (Chicken Bacon Ranch, Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch)
- Salads (Southern Chicken Salad)
- Soup
Chicken Recipes You’ll Love
Boiled Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast
Optional Ingredients
- 2 stems thyme
- 3 cup chicken broth
Instructions
- In a medium to large pot do half water half chicken broth or do all water. Mine measure out to 3 cups each.
- Bring to a boil, once boiling add in chicken.
- Lower heat to a simmer. Add in stems of thyme then cover for 20-25 minutes.
- Cooking times will vary based off the size of the chicken breast you're cooking. A thinner breast will need less time a larger one will need more.
- The way to test it is to simply remove from water and using your forks give the chicken a pull. If the inside is raw add additional minutes to it. The chicken will be easy to pull the closer it is to being finished. So, if you're able to pull it apart but it's slightly undercooked, add about 5-7 minutes additional time.
- Pull chicken when it's fresh from the water. This is the best time. See notes for storing.
Notes
Helpful Recipe Tips
- Avoid allowing chicken to boil in raging water. A simmer is best because what would happen is the outside will overcook causing it to be hard to pull apart.
- The herbs are optional along with the broth. Those things crank up the flavor and I can tell a difference in the finished product.
How To Store Shredded Chicken
- In the refrigerator, chicken keeps about a week. Store in a sealed container.
- Can you freeze shredded chicken, in a freezer safe container the chicken can be frozen for over a month. But, shred it before you freeze it. I have found it shreds the easiest when fresh.