Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)
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Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken comes in handy in many different recipes. Great for meal prep as it can be used in endless delicious dishes. Add to salads, soups, pastas, bowls, etc. This shredded chicken recipe takes very little effort to prep. So flavorful and comes with instructions on how to be cooked in both the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker.
Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)
Chicken is a staple in my kitchen and in our home. We love chicken because it is tasty, lean, nutritious and one of the most versatile foods. You could never go wrong with chicken. Especially on those days that you have no idea what to make for dinner. Chicken will never fail you!
One of my top tips for meal prepping is to always have shredded chicken on hand. You can quickly add it to any foods to make a complete and balanced meal. You can use it to make quesadillas, soups, salads, add it to fried rice, or simply as a side. Most weeks I make this big batch of shredded chicken for my meal prep. I use most of it during the week and freeze some portions as well.
What you need to make this Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken:
Ingredients:
- Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Broth
- Ground Turmeric
- Garlic Powder
- Died Oregano
- Dried Thyme
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Paprika
- Pink Salt
- Black Pepper
Equipment:
- Instant Pot or Slow Cooker
- Cutting Board
How to make Easy Flavorful Chicken:
- In a small mixing bowl, whisk together spices and herbs; ground turmeric, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, pink sea salt, black pepper, fresh thyme, and fresh rosemary. Dab dry chicken breasts.
If using Instant Pot:
- Pour chicken broth inside Instant Pot then place trivet in the pot. Layer chicken breasts over trivet. Sprinkle blended seasoning over chicken breasts and rub making sure breasts are well coated with seasoning.
- Cover IP locking it. Place steam valve on seal position and set pressure cook option on high. Set timer for 8 minutes. It will take some time for pressure to build up before it starts counting down from 8 minutes. Allow NRP for 5 minutes then manually release the rest of pressure.
If using Slow Cooker:
- Pour chicken broth inside slow cooker then place chicken breasts inside the pot. Sprinkle blended seasoning over chicken breasts and rub making sure breasts are well coated with seasoning. Place lid on slow cooker and set on low allowing breasts to cook for 8 hours; or set on high and slow cook for 4 hours.
- Once chicken is cooked using either pot, remove breasts and place on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred your chicken. It should easily fall apart. You can place shredded chicken back in the pot and toss with broth if desired for more flavor.
- Place shredded chicken in tupperware or zip bags. Store in fridge for up to 3-5 days or freeze portions up to 3 months. (I like to portion mine out by 2 cups and freeze that way). Use shredded chicken as a side or in your favorite chicken recipes like soups, salads, bowls, etc.
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use trivet if cooking chicken breasts in the Instant Pot- Using a trivet will allow the chicken breasts to cook evenly in the Instant Pot resulting in juicy and tender chicken.
- Switch up your spices and herbs- Use other spices and herbs if you wish. You can use fresh garlic, cilantro, parsley, cumin, etc.
- Substitute for chicken broth- You can use vegetable broth or water. Broth is better as it will give the chicken more flavor.
- Freeze shredded chicken in portions- Freeze shredded chicken in portions of 1-2 cups. This way, you only have to thaw out what’s needed at a time.
Meal Prepping it:
This recipe for shredded chicken is so simple and effortlessly to make. It’s great for meal prep as you can use in many other recipes as an ingredient. You can also use it in a variety of different dishes to make a quick and easy meal. I always keep portions of this Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken in my freezer for easy meal prep and easy weeknight meals.
Can you freeze shredded chicken?
Shredded chicken can certainly be frozen and this Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken is no exception. To freeze your chicken, portion out into 1 or 2 cups servings (depending on how much chicken you will use at a time). You don’t want to freeze portions that are too large if you won’t use them within 24 hours from thawing-out. You can use freezer bags, silicone bags, or any freezer friendly container to freeze your shredded chicken in.
When you’re ready to use your frozen chicken, place in refrigerator overnight. The next morning, it will be completely thawed-out and ready to be added to any recipe or used in any meal of choice. If you forgot to take it out of the freezer the previous night, no worries. Just run under cold water for a few minutes until thawed-out. You can also fill a large bowl with cold water and submerge your frozen chicken into it. This will defrost your chicken in a few minutes as well.
How to use/serve your Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken:
The best part about making this recipe is getting to use your shredded chicken in endless ways. You can use it in salads, soups, tacos, quesadillas, stir fry, pasta, etc. There are so many recipes on this blog and out there that call for shredded chicken. Having some stored away in your fridge or freezer will save you so much time.
Use your Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken in these recipes:
Did you like this Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken recipe? You may also like these other “how-to” recipes:
- How to Make Cauliflower Rice
- How to Make Spaghetti Squash Noodles
- Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken
- How to Perfectly Boil Eggs
- How to Cook Quinoa
Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken (Instant Pot and Slow Cooker)
Easy Flavorful Shredded Chicken comes in handy in many different recipes. Great for meal prep as it can be used in endless delicious dishes. Add to salads, soups, pastas, bowls, etc. This shredded chicken recipe takes very little effort to prep. So flavorful and comes with instructions on how to be cooked in both the Instant Pot and Slow Cooker.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 lb chicken breasts (boneless and skinless)
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp pink sea salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 spring fresh thyme
- 1 spring fresh rosemary
Instructions
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together spices and herbs; ground turmeric, paprika, garlic powder, dried oregano, pink sea salt, black pepper, fresh thyme, and fresh rosemary. Dab dry chicken breasts.
If using Instant Pot:
Pour chicken broth inside Instant Pot then place trivet in the pot. Layer chicken breasts over trivet. Sprinkle blended seasoning over chicken breasts and rub making sure breasts are well coated with seasoning.
Cover IP locking it. Place steam valve on seal position and set pressure cook option on high. Set timer for 8 minutes. It will take some time for pressure to build up before it starts counting down from 8 minutes. Allow NRP for 5 minutes then manually release the rest of pressure.
If using Slow Cooker:
Pour chicken broth inside slow cooker then place chicken breasts inside the pot. Sprinkle blended seasoning over chicken breasts and rub making sure breasts are well coated with seasoning. Place lid on slow cooker and set on low allowing breasts to cook for 8 hours; or set on high and slow cook for 4 hours.
Once chicken is cooked using either pot, remove breasts and place on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred your chicken. It should easily fall apart. You can place shredded chicken back in the pot and toss with broth if desired for more flavor.
Place shredded chicken in tupperware or zip bags. Store in fridge for up to 3-5 days or freeze portions up to 3 months. (I like to portion mine out by 2 cups and freeze that way). Use shredded chicken as a side or in your favorite chicken recipes like soups, salads, bowls, etc.
Recipe Notes
Tips and Substitutions:
- Use trivet if cooking chicken breasts in the Instant Pot- Using a trivet will allow the chicken breasts to cook evenly in the Instant Pot resulting in juicy and tender chicken.
- Switch up your spices and herbs- Use other spices and herbs if you wish. You can use fresh garlic, cilantro, parsley, cumin, etc.
- Substitute for chicken broth- You can use vegetable broth or water. Broth is better as it will give the chicken more flavor.
- Freeze shredded chicken in portions- Freeze shredded chicken in portions of 1-2 cups. This way, you only have to thaw out what’s needed at a time.
*Number of total servings in estimated. Actual number of servings may vary depending on your own personal preference in portion sizes.
**Nutritional values shown are general guidelines for 1 serving using the ingredients listed above. These numbers do not reflect and may vary depending on substitutions, additions and/or different brands and/or other ingredients that may be used.
**Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links and sponsored content. All the opinions are my own and I only recommend products I use in my own home with my own family.
*Pictures and recipe updated as of 8/9/2020
*Post updated as of 3/11/2020
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