Welcome to the second edition of “How to…” a new series here at A Savory Feast! I’m going to be sharing some basic tips and cooking methods to help you improve your cooking. If you have something you would like to learn, please contact me or comment below to let me know!
This week we are going to be learning how to shred chicken. This is a very important thing to know if you want to make dishes like my Chicken Quinoa Soup or Buffalo Chicken Enchiladas (which are coming to the blog very soon!).
Step 1: The secret to perfect shredded chicken is to season the water! I start with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder and then add any other spices that will go with whatever I am going to be adding the chicken to. For example, I might add chili powder if I am going to be making enchiladas. After you season the water, bring it to a boil.
Step 2: Add boneless, skinless chicken breasts to the water. It doesn’t matter if they are thawed or frozen! It will take a little longer to cook if they are frozen, but still turns out great. Boil the chicken for 10-15 minutes or until no longer pink in the center.
Step 3: Remove the chicken from the water and set on a plate to cool. Wait at least 10 minutes before you start shredding so that you don’t burn your fingers! Use one hand (or a fork) to hold the chicken in place while you use another fork to scrape the chicken and tear it into small pieces.
And that’s all there is to it! What do you like to use shredded chicken for? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Megan Walker says
Easy peasy! I think the secret to delicious food is seasoning right from the beginning. I also like to roast my chicken.
Megan Kubasch says
Fantastic. Just what I needed. Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Kirsten Oliphant says
Thanks for sharing this! It seems simple, but I keep having shredding issues. Boo! Very helpful tips. Pinning and now following on twitter. 🙂
Joanne T Ferguson says
G’day! Always enjoy learning something new every day!
Thanks for sharing it at the Foodie Friends Friday #Foods That Make You Smile Party!
Cheers! Joanne
Vicki Lesage says
Very cool! We have enchiladas planned for tomorrow and I will try this! Way better than just chunks of chicken. Thanks!
Aubrey @ 53 Weeks says
Great post! It’s certainly something search for online, I know I did the first time I wanted to make shredded chicken tacos!!
Rachel G says
I use shredded chicken in soups and in quesadillas–I’ve always just made it in the crock pot, but this looks easy, too!
Krystal says
I use this same method for shredding my chicken. My mother is a fan of roasting in the overn then shredding. I find it time consuming. Thanks for posting
Renee @ CreativeMamaMessyHouse says
We make shredded chicken all the time for enchiladas, although I also poach my chicken like this when I am dicing it for chicken salads.
Georgia says
I use shredded chicken when feeding a crowd- like for BBQ chicken sandwiches, or Hawaiian stacks. They’re my “go-to”s if I have more than 20 people to feed. I like to throw mine in the crock pot with broth and leave it for a few hours then shred and move on.
I think doing a post over it is genius 😉
Georgia
Neva @ Retire for the Fun of it says
What a great tutorial. I’m going to season the water from now on too.
Kristen (Mommy in SPORTS) says
Thank you so much for the great tip. I never would have thought it would have been so easy, and to do it with frozen chicken too!
Glenna @ My Paper Craze says
Thanks for the tips. I’ve always just boiled my chicken, never thought to season it.
Marni | Love and Duck Fat says
This is a great basic to know in the kitchen! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kristen says
I love doing this with bbq chicken…but will now try with frozen too! Good tip!
Alicia says
Awesome tip!!! Love shredded chicken- the recipe possibilities are endless!
Brittany says
Thanks for the follow on twitter. I love shredded chicken and could never figure out how to do it. I normally just put it in the crock pot.
Carrie @ Kenarry: Ideas for the Home says
I love to use shredded chicken in recipes. I usually just put frozen chicken breasts in my slow cooker on low all day, but your method would be great on those days I forget to do it ahead of time. Thanks!