Cooking chicken in a crock pot is a great way to make deliciously tender and flavorful shredded chicken that can be used in all kinds of recipes. But to get the best results it’s important to know how long to cook the chicken. Here’s a complete guide to cooking times for shredded chicken in a crock pot.
Factors That Affect Crock Pot Chicken Cook Times
Several factors impact how long it takes to cook chicken in a slow cooker
- Type of chicken – Boneless breasts cook faster than bone-in thighs. Whole chickens take the longest.
- Size of pieces – Smaller pieces cook quicker than larger, whole breasts.
- Bone-in or boneless – Boneless cooks faster.
- Frozen or thawed – Only use thawed chicken, not frozen.
- High or low setting – Low yields more tender chicken over a longer time. High sets shorter cook times but can dry out the chicken.
Cook Times for Common Chicken Cuts
Here are general guidelines for cook times on low and high:
- Boneless chicken breasts:
- Low: 4-6 hours
- High: 3-4 hours
- Bone-in chicken breasts:
- Low: 5-6 hours
- High: 3-4 hours
- Boneless chicken thighs:
- Low: 4-6 hours
- High: 3-4 hours
- Bone-in chicken thighs:
- Low: 6-8 hours
- High: 4-5 hours
- Whole chicken:
- Low: 7-9 hours
- High: 4-5 hours
Always use a meat thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F. Cook times vary based on size of chicken and your crock pot model.
Tips for Cooking Chicken for Shredding
Follow these tips for moist, shred-worthy chicken:
- Use skinless chicken – the skin can make shredding difficult.
- Don’t use frozen chicken – only thawed.
- Cook on low if possible for tender chicken. High can dry it out.
- Add broth, salsa, or barbecue sauce for extra moisture.
- Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes before shredding.
- Use forks, hand mixer, or claws to shred once cooked through.
How to Know When Chicken is Ready
Check for doneness early, especially first few times making it. Signs chicken is done:
- Registers 165°F on meat thermometer.
- Meat is fork tender and falls off the bone.
- Juices run clear when pierced with a knife.
If unsure, cut into a piece to visually inspect inside.
Flavoring Your Shredded Chicken
For versatile shredded chicken, just use salt, pepper, and other basic seasonings. Or try:
- Italian seasoning – for Italian chicken.
- Taco seasoning – for Mexican chicken.
- Buffalo wing sauce – for a spicy option.
- Barbecue sauce – for pulled chicken sandwiches.
Delicious Ways to Use Shredded Crock Pot Chicken
Shredded crock pot chicken is endlessly versatile:
- Tacos, burritos, quesadillas
- Casseroles like chicken divan or pot pie
- Soups and chilis
- Salads like chicken Caesar salad
- Sandwiches and wraps
- Pasta dishes like chicken alfredo
- Pizza and flatbreads
Having cooked shredded chicken makes assembling meals quick and easy all week long. Just cook once and use it in multiple recipes!
Storing and Freezing Leftover Shredded Chicken
- Store cooked chicken up to 4 days in the fridge in an airtight container.
- To freeze, store in airtight bags or containers up to 3 months.
- Thaw frozen shredded chicken overnight in the fridge before using.
Perfectly cooked, tender and shredded chicken takes between 4-8 hours on low or 3-5 hours on high in a crock pot. Actual cook time depends on the specific cut and size of chicken as well as your appliance. Always use a thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165°F. With these simple tips, you’ll be shredding juicy chicken in no time!
Suggestions and Substitutions
- Dont love a tomato-y chili? Reduce the amount of tomatoes to one can and add extra broth to compensate.
- Add a 4-ounce can of roasted green chilis at the beginning of cooking.
- If youd prefer a spicier chili, add 1 or 2 chopped jalapeños.
- Swap the black beans for pinto beans.
- Top your bowls with cilantro, green onions, avocado, crushed tortilla chips, a dollop of sour cream, or extra cheese.
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Set It And Forget It Slow Cooker Recipe
The only prep work needed for this recipe is dicing the onion and the celery. Everything else is a matter of opening a few cans, measuring some spices, and stirring it all together.
I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Ive found they hold up better than chicken breasts over the long cooking, and shred easily into silky and tender strands by the time the chili is ready. Its fine to use chicken breasts if youre not a fan of chicken thighs, but the texture will be slightly chewier.
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Easy Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken: Versatile, Juicy, and Perfect Every Time! ✨
FAQ
How long does it take for chicken to be done in a crock pot?
Place the chicken and stock, broth, or water in a 4-quart or larger slow cooker. Cook the chicken. Cover and cook until the chicken is tender and registers an internal temperature of 165°F, 4 to 5 hours on the LOW setting, or 2 to 3 hours on the HIGH setting.
Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in a crock pot?
Most chicken recipes will take between 6-7 hours to cook on low, and 3-4 hours on high. Low and slow is always the first choice, especially with cuts like boneless chicken breast. Your chicken is done cooking when the internal temperature reaches 165oF at the thickest part of the chicken.
How long does it take to cook chicken to be shredded?
- Cover! In a large sauce pot, cover chicken breasts with cold water or stock. …
- Cook! Bring the water to a boil and then simmer for about 10 minutes! …
- Shred! We wait until the chicken has cooled but is still warm before digging into it with two forks!
Can you cook shredded chicken in a crock pot?
A crock pot of shredded chicken will set your week up for success. Soups, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas…is there anything shredded chicken can’t do? Instead of buying a rotisserie chicken, take few minutes to toss chicken breasts or thighs into your crockpot and let the slow cooker do the work.
How long do you cook chicken in a crockpot?
The slow cooker is a forgiving environment but even so, 8 hours or more is a long time for chicken to cook. If you want to let your chicken cook longer than the recipe calls for, I recommend choosing a smaller crockpot and filling it to the 2/3 point. A fuller crockpot will cook more slowly. Why is my Crockpot Shredded Chicken tough?
How long does cooked chicken last in a crockpot?
Cooked chicken can be stored in the refrigerator, tightly sealed, for 3-4 days, or packaged and frozen for 3-4 months. *The cook time in this recipe has been adjusted to 3-4 hours on low from the previous 6-7. I find that a lower cook time is sufficient when using 4 chicken breasts in a smaller crockpot.
How long does shredded chicken take to cook?
In general, boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs will take approximately 4-6 hours on low heat, or 2-3 hours on high heat, to become tender and easily shredded. To ensure food safety, the internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) before being shredded.
Can you cook chicken in a crock pot?
Here are some key elements to consider when cooking chicken in a crock pot: The type of chicken you use can significantly affect cooking times. Here are the common options: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: These require less time to cook than thighs and will become tender and easy to shred.
How do you shred chicken in a slow cooker?
Remove your chicken to a bowl or place your hand mixer directly into the slow cooker and use it on low speed to shred the chicken. You also can transfer the cooked chicken breasts or thighs to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and shred it on low. Two Forks. Grab two forks, using one to steady the big pieces of chicken.