Description
This Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken recipe offers tender, flavorful chicken breasts cooked low and slow with a blend of aromatic spices. Perfect for meal prep or quick weeknight dinners, the shredded chicken can be used in tacos, salads, sandwiches, and more.
Ingredients
Chicken and Broth
- 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
Spices
- 1 tablespoon dark chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
Instructions
- Mix Spices: Combine all the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, oregano, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl to create an even spice blend for the chicken.
- Prepare Slow Cooker: Pour the low sodium chicken broth into the slow cooker insert, then add the chicken breasts on top of the broth. Sprinkle half of the spice mixture evenly over the chicken, flip the breasts, and sprinkle the remaining spices on the other side.
- Cook Chicken: Cover with the slow cooker lid and cook on the low setting for 8 hours, or on high for 4 hours, until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred Chicken: Remove the cooked chicken breasts using tongs and place them on a cutting board. Use two forks to shred the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
- Combine and Serve: Return the shredded chicken to the slow cooker and stir to incorporate it with the cooking liquid and spices. Serve immediately or transfer to an airtight container for storage and easy use throughout the week.
Notes
- Use low sodium chicken broth to control the saltiness of the dish.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mix.
- Shredded chicken is versatile and can be used in salads, tacos, sandwiches, or casseroles.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- If you don’t have a slow cooker, this recipe can be adapted to a pressure cooker, reducing cooking time significantly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
