Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This simple slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is easy, versatile and a great way to meal prep chicken for the week. This flavorful slow cooker shredded chicken is made with only 5 ingredients and can be used in a variety of ways – in soups, chicken salad sandwiches, pot pies, casseroles, etc.

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken on a plate with rice and broccoli


I created this slow cooker pulled chicken recipe as a delicious but simple way to prepare chicken breasts.

I always prefer to cook meat in the crockpot, and this slow cooker shredded chicken isn’t an exception. The meat always turns out tender, flavorful, and easy for my little ones to chew – which is important for babies and kids who are in the phase of losing teeth!

This slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is easy to make with 5 simple ingredients. It’s flavorful enough to serve on its own, but seasoned in a way that make sit incredibly versatile.

It can be used in a variety of different dishes. I often use this recipe to cook chicken for chicken pot pie (or healthy chicken pot pie), chicken noodle soup, chicken & rice soup, chicken tetrazzini and to make chicken salad (or avocado chicken salad).

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken in the crockpot with two forks

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken: Ingredients & Substitutions

overhead photo of the ingredients in this slow cooker shredded chicken recipe
  • Chicken breasts. Both, chicken thighs or a combination of thighs and breasts work well.
  • Chicken broth. Use ready-made broth or make your own with 1 cup water and 1 tsp better than bullion)
  • Paprika. smoked paprika tastes amazing in this recipe. You can also add more seasonings like oregano, cumin, coriander, fresh herbs, etc. if you want to experiment with new flavors.
  • Salt. It’s always better to start with less salt because you can always add more later, but you can’t remove it from the recipe once it’s in there!
  • Onion. yellow, white, or red onions are all great choices.
  • Minced garlic. Fresh or jarred both work well. You can substitute 1 tablespoon minced garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder.
a bowl of Slow Cooker shredded Chicken

How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crock Pot

Let’s walk through how to make shredded chicken in the crock pot step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.

Begin by whisking together chicken broth, paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and minced garlic in the container of a slow cooker.

two photos showing How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crockpot - whisking sauce

Then, add the chicken breasts and turn to coat.

Next, cook the chicken breasts on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until they are fork tender.

two photos showing How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crockpot - adding chicken breasts

Then, shred the chicken with two forks, turn crockpot to low, and let the mixture cook for another 30-60 minutes (to soak up the juice). Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.

You can also remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it in a separate bowl with forks or using a standing mixer.

two photos showing How to Make Shredded Chicken in the Crockpot - shredding cooked with forks

Serve

Serve the slow cooker pulled chicken warm with your favorite sides here are some suggestions:

Or, use the crockpot shredded chicken in your favorite recipe that calls for cooked chicken. Here are some of our favorites:

a serving dish with Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken and two forks

Store

Store leftover slow cooker pulled chicken in an airtight container for 5-7 days.

Freeze

Put the shredded chicken in a freezer-friendly, airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken on a plate with broccoli and rice

Pulled Chicken Recipe FAQs


Can you put raw chicken into a slow cooker?

Yes, you can cook raw chicken in the slow cooker. Cooking it until it’s fork-tender ensures it reaches a high enough temperature to be safe to eat.

Is it better to cook chicken on high or low in crockpot?

When I have the time, I always prefer to cook the chicken breasts on low. This ensures they are tender and moist.

Can you overcook chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, if you overcook this slow cooker pulled chicken it will turn out mushy or it could end up being tough to chew.

Can you put frozen chicken breast in a slow cooker?

I don’t recommend putting frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. When chicken goes from a very cold temperature to a high temperature too quickly it becomes rubbery and difficult to chew. Instead, I suggest slowly thawing the chicken breasts overnight in the refrigerator, at room temperature for a few hours or in cool water, then using them in this recipe.

Can I double this recipe?

Absolutely, double it and cook it in a large slow cooker.

a fork scooping a bite of Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can your creations!

Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken

Laura
This simple slow cooker pulled chicken recipe is easy, versatile and a great way to meal prep chicken for the week. This flavorful slow cooker shredded chicken is made with only 5 ingredients and can be used in a variety of ways – in soups, chicken salad sandwiches, pot pies, casseroles, etc.
5 from 6 votes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8 Servings
Calories 137
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time6 hours
Total Time6 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients  

  • 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup chicken broth (or 1 cup water + 1 teaspoon better than bullion)
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ to ½ teaspoon salt* (or to taste, see note)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
  • ½ onion diced
  • 1 Tablespoon minced garlic

Instructions 

  • Whisk together chicken broth, paprika, salt, pepper, onion, and minced garlic in the container of a slow cooker.
  • Then, add the chicken breasts and turn to coat.
  • Cook on low for 6 hours or on high for 3 hours until fork tender.
  • Shred the chicken with two forks (alternatively, you can remove the chicken from the crockpot and shred it in a separate bowl with forks or use a standing mixer).
  • Then, turn the crockpot to low, and let the mixture cook for another 30-60 minutes (to soak up the juice). Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
  • Serve warm.

Video

Notes

*Do not add any salt if you are using better than bullion. If using chicken broth, the amount needed will depend on the salt content of the broth. I suggest starting by adding ¼ tsp. You can always add salt later, but you can’t remove it.
Ingredient Substitutions
  • Chicken breasts. Chicken thighs or a combination of thighs and breasts work well.
  • Chicken broth. Use ready-made broth or make your own with 1 cup water and 1 tsp better than bullion)
  • Paprika. smoked paprika tastes amazing in this recipe. You can also add more seasonings like oregano, cumin, coriander, fresh herbs, etc. if you want to experiment with new flavors.
  • Salt. It’s always better to start with less salt because you can always add more later, but you can’t remove it from the recipe once it’s in there!
  • Onion. yellow, white, or red onions are all great choices.
  • Minced garlic. Fresh or jarred both work well. You can substitute 1 tablespoon minced garlic with 1 tsp garlic powder.
Store
Store leftover slow cooker pulled chicken in an airtight container for 5-7 days.
Feeze
Put the shredded chicken in a freezer-friendly, airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.5cup | Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 314mg | Potassium: 446mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 97IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 12mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Did you enjoy this recipe? Have a question? Leave a comment below!

try these recipes




latest recipes

Post a Comment or Ask a Question!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating