Slow-cooker shredded chicken is the solution to all of your chicken needs! It’s an easy, healthy, hands-off recipe that is super versatile and perfect for meal prep! You can use shredded chicken breast to make various simple, nutritious meals throughout the week, including avocado chicken salad, a chicken burrito bowl, curry chicken salad, or shortcut chicken noodle soup.

HEALTHY EATING TIP! If you are working to develop healthy eating habits, it’s so important to prepare a handful of healthy head-start ingredients ahead of time that you can build on throughout the week.

Preparing delicious, nutritious ingredients like egg white muffins, sauteed broccoli, fluffy quinoa, shredded beef tips, and/or this easy shredded chicken can make eating well much easier — especially when you are tired or short on time.

Ingredients needed

Not only is this shredded chicken recipe quick to make (it only takes about 5 minutes of hands-on time), but you only need two main ingredients, plus seasonings! You probably have all of the seasonings in your pantry right now – here’s what you’ll need:

• Chicken breasts: This recipe calls for two pounds of chicken – this can be anywhere between three to five chicken breasts depending on their size.
• Seasonings: A simple blend of sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning adds delicious flavor to the chicken.
• Chicken broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth to control the salt and to keep the chicken moist and juicy.

How to make this recipe

This recipe is so easy, you will use it over and over again! Here’s how it all comes together:

1. Prep: Place the chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer.
2. Add seasonings: Season the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder, and Italian seasoning.
3. Add broth: Pour chicken broth over the seasoned chicken. I like to flip the chicken down and then upright again before placing on the lid.
4. Cook: Place the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours, until the chicken easily shreds with a fork.

5. Shred: Using two forks, shred the chicken (this can be done on a cutting board or right in the slow cooker). 

Expert tips

• Similar-sized chicken breasts: It’s best to use chicken breasts that are similar in size so that they cook evenly and at the same rate.
• Placing the chicken: When placing the chicken in the base of your slow cooker, be sure it is lying flat and not piled on top of one another. For reference, I use a 7-quart slow cooker, and 4-5 breasts lay comfortably next to one another on the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Cooking on low: Your meat will turn out juicier if you cook on low for 5 to 6 hours. However, if you’re really in a hurry, you can cook on high for 3 to 4 hours.
• Food safety: It’s important to ensure that the chicken is cooked all the way through before eating. Use an internal meat thermometer to check that it reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. If you don’t have a thermometer, poke a knife into the thickest part of the breast and make sure the juices run clear.

Variations

• Chicken thighs: Try using chicken thighs! They have a bit more fat than breasts, so they tend to maintain more moisture once they are cooked. The chicken breasts are much leaner than the thighs.
• Change up the seasonings: I like the seasoning mix as written in this recipe, but you can use a variety of spices. Oregano, chili powder, or lemon pepper seasoning would all be delicious. Want a kick of heat? Try a dash or two of cayenne pepper.
• Add some sauce: Try my salsa chicken recipe for some Mexican shredded chicken flair or my slow cooker BBQ chicken for a saucy option!

Serving suggestions

This is a quick and easy recipe! It’s the perfect way to have some high-quality protein in your fridge, prepped and ready-to-go for easy-to-assemble meals throughout the week! Here are some ways that you can use it:

Use this shredded chicken for easy chicken salad, tacos, sandwiches, burritos, quesadillas, etc! It makes a great high-protein, head-start ingredient.

You can also pair it with whole grains like my Greek Quinoa Salad or build a low carb meal and pair it with cauliflower rice or green beans.

Storage recommendations

If you’re meal prepping this chicken to use later, once it’s all shredded, transfer it to an airtight container with the broth from the slow cooker. The broth will help to keep the chicken nice and moist throughout the week.

If you plan to serve it right away, simply shred the chicken and then add it back to the slow cooker to stay warm with the juices.

• Storing leftovers: Transfer to an airtight container with the broth and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezing: Once completely cool, divide into portions, if you’d like to have smaller amounts to pull out for recipes, 1 to 2 cups is a good amount. Add each portion to a zip-top plastic bag, seal it and write the date on it. Store it in the freezer for up to 4 months. 
• Thaw: Thaw frozen chicken overnight in the fridge or in a bowl of cool water for about 30 minutes to 1 hour. 

More easy slow cooker recipes

• Slow Cooker Beef Tips
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Crockpot Shredded BBQ Chicken
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

SLOW COOKER SHREDDED CHICKEN RECIPE VIDEO

Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe, I would love you to give it a ★ rating below. Follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy food inspiration. Cheers!

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Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken

Slow-cooker shredded chicken breast is an easy, healthy, head-start ingredient perfect for meal prep! Moist, perfectly seasoned, and easy to shred – this pulled chicken is tender and juicy. Make a big batch on the weekend to help you build high-protein, convenient, nourishing meals all week!

Course Main

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free, Low Fat

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 6 hours hours

Total Time 6 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Calories 187kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

• 2 pounds chicken breasts 3-4 breasts
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth

Instructions

• Place the chicken in the slow cooker in a single layer. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, onion powder and Italian seasoning.
  
• Pour chicken broth over the seasoned chicken. I like to flip the chicken downside and then upright again before placing on the lid. Place the lid on and cook on low for 6 hours, until the chicken shreds easily with a fork.
  
• Using two forks, shred the chicken (this can be done on a cutting board or right in the slow cooker).
  

Video

Notes

Transfer to an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

You can use this chicken for chicken salad, tacos, sandwiches, burritos, quesadillas, etc! It makes a great head start ingredient.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 33g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 97mg | Sodium: 576mg | Potassium: 629mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.2g | Vitamin A: 217IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 1mg

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Slow Cooker Kalua Pork is a delicious makeahead protein opttion that you can add to your weekly meal prep for simple weeknight meals. It’s easy to make, family-friendly, and super veratile!

I was inpired to make this when Irecived a boneless pork butt in my Butcher Box order. Butcher Box is a monthly delivery service that brings high-quality, grass-fed meat, pastured chicken, and heritage pork right to your door.  I love them because they make my life so easy! I highly recommend checking them out if you have difficulty locating quality meats where you live. Some of my go-to meals using meat from my boxes include my slow cooker beef tips, slow cooker salsa chicken, and this delicious pulled pork!

4-Ingredient Slow Cooker Kalua Pork

This pulled pork recipe is about as easy as it gets.  Using just four ingredients, it takes 15 minutes to prepare and then it’s 100% hands off!  I LOVE making this recipe on the weekend so I can use it as a head start ingredient for lots of meals throughout the week (I’ve shared some below).

The only ingredients you will need for this recipe are:

• Pork Butt/Shoulder: You will want a 3-4 pound cut.  I get mine from Butcher Box.
• Garlic: Remove the cloves from the skins.
• Coarse Salt: Hawaiin Alaea sea salt is both gorgeous and delicious. Apparently, it’s the official salt they use to roast a pig at a luau. If you don’t want to buy another ingredient, no worries, you can make this recipe using kosher salt and it will still be delicious.
• Liquid Smoke:  This gives the pork a smoked fire pit flavor without the fire pit.  If you don’t have liquid smoke, sub in a couple teaspoons of smoked paprika. Just pat it all over the outside of the pork. I promise it as equally as delicious.

How to Make Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Okay, are you ready for the easiest recipe ever?  Because that’s pretty much what this.  Crazy easy and insanely delicious.  Here’s what you need to do.

1. Place pork on a plastic cutting board and trim off as much visible fat as possible.  There is a lot of fat, so don’t hesitate to cut it off.
2. Use a sharp knife, make 5-6 slits all around the pork and stick a whole clove of garlic in each slit made.  This will infuse lots of flavor as the pork cooks.
3. Sprinkle coarse sea salt all around the outside of the pork.  Don’t forget the bottoms and sides.
4. Place pork in slow cooker and drizzle liquid smoke over the top.
5. Pop on the lid and cook on low for 12-16 hours.
6. Remove cooked pork from slow cooker and use two forks to shred the pork apart.  It will be very tender (and delicious!).
7. Pour excess liquid out of the slow cooker (it will be salty) and place shredded meat back in to keep warm
8. Serve and enjoy.  Be sure to scroll down to see some of my favorite 5 minute meals, using this pulled Kalua pork.

For the amount of effort that goes into this meal, I can honestly tell you it is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.  It has quickly become a staple in our house.  I usually make it once a month.

There are so many ways to enjoy this pork! Here are a few of my favorites.

PULLED PORK OVER A ROASTED SWEET POTATO

This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy slow cooker pulled pork.  Simply stuff it inside half a roasted sweet potato and top with an easy salsa.

For this salsa recipe, I chopped up equal parts white onion and radish, tossed in some chopped cilantro, a squish of lime and a pinch of kosher salt.  But this salsa would also be great.  Easy, beautiful + delicious!

PULLED PORK LETTUCE WRAPS

Another simple way to use this pork is to make lettuce wraps.

Place a forkful of pork in a butter lettuce or romaine lettuce leaf and top with a simple coleslaw.  If you are planning ahead, try prepping your lettuce leaves and coleslaw ahead of time, so you have a two-minute meal ready to roll for busy weeknights or as an easy weekday lunch.

PULLED PORK BURRITO BOWL

My Chicken Burrito Bowls have become one of the most popular recipes here on Clean & Delicious so I know you all are fans!

I love them because they are so easy to make (are you noticing a theme here, lol?).  Simply mix some jasmine rice (I use frozen) with chopped cilantro and lime, layer in some kalua pork and crunchy romaine.  Then, I take that same salsa from above (chopped onions, radishes + cilantro) and spoon it right over the top.

You can enjoy as is, or try drizzling some of your ranch dressing or salsa right over the top.

I’d love to know if you try this (or any) recipe! Tag @clean_and_delicious on Instagram to let me know and be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy, delicious recipes straight to your inbox.  

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Slow Cooked Pork Roast | Kaluha Pork

This EASY slow cooker dish has become a staple in our house! It's SO easy to make, family-friendly and makes a great head start ingredient. Recipe inspired by NomNom Paleo's Kaluha Pig.

Course dairy free, DIET, DINNER, gluten free, low carb + keto, meat + chicken, slow cooker

Cuisine American, dairy free, gluten free, low carb + keto, nut free, whole 30

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 12 hours hours

Total Time 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 146kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

• 3-4 pounds boneless pork butt
• 6 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1 tablespoon liquid smoke
• 1 tbsp coarse sea salt, (I used Hawaiian red sea salt)*

Instructions

• Place pork on a plastic cutting board and use a sharp knife to trim and visible excess fat off of the roast. I try to cut off as much as possible.
  
• Using a small pairing knife, make 5-6 small slits around the outside of the pork and tuck once piece of garlic in each slit.
  
• Season the outside of the meat with sea salt. Be sure to season the top, bottom, and both sides.
  
• Place the pork butt into your slow cooker and pour the liquid smoke over the top and set heat to low and cook for 12-16 hours. I like to set this up before bed so the pork is cooking overnight.
  
• When the pork is done, there will be a lot of liquid in the pot. You can save a little to drizzle over the top, but be sure to discard the rest otherwise the meat will be too salty.
  
• Remove pork from slow cooker and shred apart. Be careful not to place back into the juice from the slow cooker, because it may make your pork too salty.
  
• Place pork back into the slow cooker (or in serving dish) and enjoy!
  

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 3ounces | Calories: 146kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 646mg | Potassium: 435mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg

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The post Slow Cooker Pulled Pork appeared first on Clean & Delicious.

Today, I’m bringing you one of my favorite easy meals for anytime you’re serving a crowd: slow cooker bbq chicken! Throw some chicken breasts and bbq sauce into a Crockpot and then forget about it until you’re ready to serve. It’s protein-packed, made with my favorite sweet, smoky, tangy homemade sauce and even perfect for weeknight dinners. The best part about this pulled chicken isn’t just that it’s easy, it’s also that you can keep it warm in the slow cooker until it’s ready to be served. It also can be eaten in so many different ways, from sandwiches to stuffed potatoes!

Ingredients needed

The ingredient list is short and sweet! You’re going to need about 2 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast or use boneless, skinless chicken thighs, if you prefer. And you can use any kind of BBQ sauce you like. I highly recommend my homemade BBQ sauce that’s really easy to make, is healthier and has the best flavor!

How to make this recipe

This recipe is so easy! Below, you’ll find a rundown of the basic instructions and then you can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of the page.

1. Slow cook chicken. Place the chicken breasts on a single layer in the bottom of your Crockpot. Pour the BBQ sauce over the chicken and make sure it is fully coated. Set the heat to high and cook for 3.5 hours. 
2. Shred the chicken. Carefully, remove the chicken breasts and shred apart using two forks.
3. Continue cooking. Place the chicken back into the Crockpot and cook for another 30 minutes.
4. Serve. Prepare your slow cooker BBQ chicken any favorite way and enjoy!

Ways to serve shredded BBQ chicken

There are so many ways to make this shredded chicken recipe into a meal! Here are some of my family’s favorites:

• Sandwiches. Add a generous scoop of coleslaw right on top of the BBQ chicken, top with a toasted whole wheat bun, and dig in!
• Main course. Serve the chicken with a variety of sides, like mashed potatoes, potato salad, deviled eggs, beans, or whatever other sides you have available.
• Stuffed potatoes. Roast up some russet potatoes or oven-baked sweet potatoes and stuff them with the shredded chicken. You can add shredded cheese or whatever other toppings you like.
• Salad. For a lighter meal option, make a BBQ chicken salad. I like to use romaine lettuce and add corn and black beans.
• Nachos. Use leftover chicken to make BBQ chicken nachos along with cheese and other toppings.
• Pizza. Make your own pizza with leftover BBQ chicken, extra BBQ sauce, shredded cheese, and other toppings.

Tips for recipe success

Even though this slow cooker BBQ chicken recipe is really quite simple, here are a few tips for best results. 

• For super quick shredded chicken, add the chicken to a large bowl and use an electric mixer to shred it.
• This pulled chicken recipe feeds about 8 adults. If you don’t need that much chicken, you can easily cut this recipe in half.
• Slow cooker BBQ chicken is perfect for meal prep ahead of time! I love having it on hand in the fridge because it’s so versatile and makes weeknight meals a cinch.
• If you are looking for a good crockpot, I love mine. It’s the 6-quart Hamilton Beach Stay-or-Go Crockpot. It has clips to hold the lid on, so if I want to bring it along to a friend’s house or a potluck, it’s easy to travel with.
• If you prefer to cook the chicken on low, simply set your slow cooker on low heat and cook for 6 to 7 hours.

Storage recommendations

• Storage. Any leftover BBQ chicken can be stored in an airtight container or bag and kept in the refrigerator for up to about 4 to 5 days.
• Freezing. Allow the chicken to cool completely before transferring it to a freezer bag or container. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating. To reheat the leftover chicken, you can place it in the slow cooker and place it on “warm” to warm it back up. Alternatively, you can simply reheat it in the microwave or on the stovetop.

More slow cooker recipes

Looking for more ways to use your Crockpot? Try these other family favs:

• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken
• Crockpot Veggie Chili
• Buffalo Chicken Meatballs

Thanks so much for reading! If you make this recipe I would love for you to give it a ★ rating below.  And be sure to follow me on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook for more healthy food inspiration. Cheers!

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Slow Cooker Shredded BBQ Chicken Breast

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken is incredibly flavorful and guaranteed to be a family favorite! This shredded chicken recipe is chicken breasts simmered in the Crockpot with a tasty homemade BBQ sauce until tender. Shred the chicken, then serve it piled on toasted buns with coleslaw, over a salad, stuffed in a baked potato or in a lettuce wrap. The options are endless!

Course DINNER, meat + chicken, slow cooker

Cuisine American, low carb + keto

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 222kcal

Author Dani Spies

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast
• 1.5 cups homemade bbq sauce or any bbq sauce you have

Instructions

• Place chicken in a single layer on the bottom of your crockpot. Pour bbq sauce over the chicken, being sure that all of the chicken is coated with the sauce. Set your heat to high and cook for 3.5 hours.
  
• Carefully remove the chicken breasts and shred apart using two forks (this will be very easy to do).
  
• Place the chicken back in the crockpot and cook for another 30 minute. Serve with extra bbq sauce and enjoy!!
  

Video

Notes

Note: In the video I suggested using 1.25 cups of bbq sauce for this recipe but have since decided I like it better with 1.5 cups. Either will work, but if you prefer your chicken extra saucy, I recommend the more bbq sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 222kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 25g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 684mg | Potassium: 544mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 154IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 1mg

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