What Is the Best Way to Cook and Shred Chicken So It Is Tender

Simple Shredded Chicken: A Quick How-To

Check out this post for a simple how-to on cooking and shredding chicken to use in any meal that calls for cooked chicken!

Keeping cooked, shredded chicken on hand is crucial to making dinner night a pleasure and not a pain.

There are tons and tons of recipes out there that call for cooked chicken and I'm going to share with you my latest favorite method for getting tender, delicious cooked chicken without a) buying a rotisserie chicken and b) having to plan ahead.

Also, below the how-to/recipe, I've given a one-stop guide to my favorite recipes that call for cooked chicken.

Frequently, if I have happened to plan ahead, I'll throw chicken breasts in the slow cooker with low-sodium chicken broth and some simple seasonings and let it cook on low for 4-5 hours until the chicken breasts are just cooked through (too long in the crockpot and they'll be dry).

After the chicken has been shredded and cooled, I will freeze the chicken to use for later.

However, I don't always think to plan ahead and so when I came across this latest method from America's Test Kitchen, I knew it would be a lifechanger. And it has been.

I've used this method at least 5-6 times in the last two weeks and I love the result.

The chicken is moist and flavorful and I can have cooked, shredded chicken for a recipe in less than 15-20 minutes (plus, you can increase the proportions and freeze to use later).

To be perfectly honest, I like the finished product of this chicken much more than the crockpot method. It has more flavor and is juicy and delicious. It's my new go-to.

Simple Shredded Chicken

Yield: 4 cups

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 15 mins

Total Time: 30 mins

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 about 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Salt and pepper
• ¾ cup water or low-sodium chicken broth

• In a large 12-inch nonstick skillet with a lid, heat the olive oil over medium heat until hot and rippling.

• Pat the chicken dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides. Place the chicken top-side down in the hot skillet and let the chicken cook for 5 minutes until golden brown on top.

• Flip the chicken, add the water or chicken broth, cover the skillet and let the chicken simmer gently over medium heat for 7-10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (it will register 160 degrees on a thermometer). Don't overcook or it might be dry.

• While the chicken is simmering, add additional water 1/4 cup at a time if the liquid evaporates too quickly.

• Remove the chicken from the skillet. Let it cool slightly before shredding.

Make Ahead: the cooked chicken will keep well-covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or can be frozen for up to 2 months.

Follow @MelsKitchenCafe on Instagram and show me the recipes you are making from my blog using the hashtag #melskitchencafe. I love seeing all the goodness you are whipping up in your kitchens!

Recipe Source: inspired by a method from America's Test Kitchen

Recipes that Use Cooked, Shredded Chicken:

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posted on October 1, 2012 (last updated September 9, 2021)

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What Is the Best Way to Cook and Shred Chicken So It Is Tender

Source: https://www.melskitchencafe.com/how-to-simple-shredded-chicken-and-another-recipe-collage/

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