Looking for a healthy and effortless meal that fits perfectly into your busy schedule? This shredded crockpot chicken recipe will help you with that! With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, you’ll have tender, juicy chicken packed with protein, perfect for tacos, salads, or soups. It’s a fuss-free, wholesome protein that cooks itself while you take on the day. Plus, it’s lean, flavorful, and great for meal prepping or a weeknight dinner.
Recipe Ingredients
Chicken: This recipe calls for chicken breast, although you could shred chicken thigh. Chicken thigh will have a higher fat content, will end up with a different texture, and will need a longer cooking time.
Removing skin and bones after the chicken is done cooking adds an extra step. Using boneless skinless chicken breast will eliminate the need for extra prep.
Bone Broth: The bone broth can be substituted for chicken, beef or vetable broth. Although these tend to have a higher sodium content, additives and preservatives, also these are low in nutrients.
The broth is the main reason the chicken does not come out dry during the cooking process. The broth and its flavor penetrates through the chicken when it cooks.
Avocado Oil: In this recipe I used avocado oil but a good substitute could be a good quality olive oil.
The oil helps the chicken not dry out during its long cooking time in the slow cooker. It also enhances flavor by helping keep the seasonings flavor stick to the chicken. It also brings more nutrients when using a high quality oil.
Salt & Pepper: The salt could be substituted for a herb based salt, a rosemary salt would do nice. The pepper can be omitted or substituted with a different spice.
The Salt brings out the natural flavors of the chicken and of the broth. Salt helps retain moisture and adds tenderization of the meat.
Garlic Powder (optional):
Garlic adds a rich and savory flavor. Garlic contains natural enzymes like allicin, which can add to the tenderizing process. Garlic is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting properties.
Recipe Notes & Substitutions
Type of Oil
Avocado Oil is a healthy fat that’s great for cooking because it has a high smoke point. This means it can stand a high heating temperatures without breaking down or releasing harmful compounds.
The avocado oil can be substituted for olive and still be safe. Most slow cookers only rise to about 280°F on high, while olive oils smoke point is 350 – 430°F.
Both oils have great health benefits. Though avocado oil is rich in monounsaturated fats which are beneficial for heart health by reducing inflammation and improving cholesterol levels. Avocado oil also has antioxidant properties, helping to neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.
You would be surprised but many oils including olive and avocado still contain seed oils in the blend. This is even if the bottle states 100% avocado oil, but a good way to tell is by color and smell. The color of the oil can be light yellow to light green and the oil should have mild to no flavor and smell.
Also, a good way of telling its high quality is the bottle its in, it should be amber or green not clear or white. A good quality oil will go rancid without the darker color of the glass blocking the UV light. Here I have linked my favorite avocado oil, if you want to skip the testing.
Importance of Bone Broth
Bone broth is made by simmering animal bones, connective tissues and vegetables. It’s rich in flavor and nutrients. Bone broth is rich in collagen, which can support joint health and improve skin elasticity. It also contains amino acids such as glycine and proline.
These help with sleep, cognitive function, skin, joints, heart and gut health. The broth is a good source of minerals like calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus, which are beneficial for bone health.
Type of Chicken
Chicken is a great source of lean protein. It’s versatile, mild in flavor, and easy to cook. Chicken breast is commonly used for shredded chicken because it shreds easily once cooked.
Chicken is an excellent source of high-quality protein, which supports muscle repair and growth. It is also rich in niacin B3 and pyridoxine B6, which help with cellular energy and metabolism.
Slow Cooker Usage
Because not all slow cookers are created equal cooking times may vary. That is why the recipe has a range of hours for each setting. To cook the chicken put the slow cooker on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.
If you have cooked the chicken long enough it should shred very easily with forks or tongs. Although shredding can be easier and more even using a stand mixer or hand mixer. If it doesn’t shred easy the chicken might need to cook longer, add time in 30 minute increments.
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Crockpot Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 1-4 chicken breasts
- 1 cups chicken broth plus more depending on size of pot
- 1 tbsp avocado oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder optional
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
DIRECTIONS
- Place chicken, spices and oil into the crockpot. Next pour broth over chicken and make sure it covers chicken by 1 inch.1-4 chicken breasts,1 tbsp avocado oil,1 tsp garlic powder,1/2 tsp salt,1/4 tsp pepper,1 cups chicken broth
- Place the lid on the crockpot and put on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours (variable based on slow cooker).
- Once cook time is done place chicken in a separate mixing bowl and shred with two forks, a stand or hand mixer, food processor or your hands.
- Add about 1/4 cup of the broth back to the shredded chicken and mix. Use right away or allow chicken to cool and portion to refrigerate for 3 days or freeze for 3 months. Enjoy!
Notes
- This recipe is not specifically meant for celiac individuals. Instead this is meant for gluten sensitive individuals. It is not recommended for individuals with celiac. This recipe is not meant for vegan individuals, instead for dairy sensitive individuals.
Nutrition
Nutritional information listed is just an estimate.
