Bring to a low boil over medium-high heat, then reduce to low heat, cover, and cook for 12-13 minutes, until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached. Remove to a cutting board, cover and let rest for 10 minutes before slicing or shredding.
Learn how to boil chicken to shred it in simple steps with this delicious recipe. Shredded chicken breast that has been boiled is adaptable and can be used in a variety of dishes, including salads, appetizers, spreads for sandwiches, and more.
Cool and serve
Carefully remove the chicken with tongs from the water once the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F. After cooling, chop, shred, or use as desired in your preferred recipe.
By placing boneless chicken in the KitchenAid’s bowl and using the paddle attachment on low, you can quickly shred chicken in less than 60 seconds.
Using two forks, shred bone-in chicken by placing it in a bowl and pulling the meat away from the bone, or use a fork to shred boneless chicken.
You can add chopped or shredded chicken to your favorite wraps, sandwiches, salads, or any recipe calling for boiled chicken.
This is one factor making boiled chicken ideal for meal preparation. The shredded chicken can be kept in the refrigerator for up to five days and used as needed throughout the rest of the week.
How to Make Shredded Chicken: Recipe Step-by-Steps
- I choose to season with a generous pinch of salt and pepper. If you’d like, you can also add additional seasonings, like a bay leaf, poultry seasoning, or a few fresh herb springs.
- This recipe for shredded chicken is intended to be more of a blank slate to add to a variety of recipes. Because I know there are some other Tex-Mex lovers out there, I suggest these Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Tacos and this Instant Pot Mole Chicken if you’re looking for Mexican shredded chicken options.
- I’d advise upgrading to a larger pot or using two separate pots if you have a lot of overlap.
- Yes, water! You can also use chicken broth if you’d like, but I find that you don’t need it with this cooking technique. Make this shredded chicken without broth to save yourself an ingredient unless you have some that you need to use up.
- Depending on the size and quantity of chicken breasts you are poaching, reduce the heat after the liquid comes to a boil and let it simmer for 8 to 16 minutes.
- If the thought of boiling chicken turns you off, I assure you that this method of simmering it gently will work. Your chicken will be perfect every time if you monitor it and take it out when it reaches the magic temperature.
- Use an instant-read meat thermometer for guaranteed safety and accuracy—I adore this one and use it frequently—to determine whether the chicken is done when the center reaches 165 degrees F.
- Check your chicken OFTEN towards the end. If your chicken is tough or dry, it is likely overcooked. Even before the chicken reaches a temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit, remove it. Put it on a plate, cover it, and allow it to rest for an additional five minutes. Check for doneness once more. The carry over should cooking finish the job.
The poached chicken is now ready for use however you like.
Instant Pot Instructions
For quick and efficient cooking, I use an Instant Pot (electric pressure cooker). Simply use an instant pot to quickly prepare healthy protein when hunger strikes.
Add 2 cups of water, the remaining ingredients, and fresh or frozen chicken breast to the instant pot.
Make sure the lid is tightly closed and in the sealing position.
Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes (15 minutes for frozen chicken), wait 5 minutes for the pressure to come down naturally, and then carefully perform a quick release.
After removing the chicken breast from the pressure cooker, let it rest for an additional five minutes before shredding or chopping it into cubes.
FAQ
How long does it take to boil frozen chicken breast?
- frozen boneless, skinless breasts weighing between 170 and 220 grams, or 6 to 7 oz. 7 oz will need about 20 minutes.
- It will take 12 to 15 minutes to prepare fresh, boneless, skinless pieces of the same size.
- Depending on size, fresh bone-in, skin-on parts will require up to 30 minutes.
Can you boil frozen chicken breast without thawing?
As long as you adhere to a few general rules, you can safely cook frozen chicken, claims the USDA. Use your oven or stovetop and simply increase your cooking time by at least 50% to transform your frozen chicken into a fully cooked, safe to eat dinner without having to go through the thawing process.
How long should I boil chicken to shred?
Boil the chicken until it is thoroughly cooked and a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees. Depending on the size of the chicken, 12 to 15 minutes. Before dicing or shredding the chicken for recipes, move the chicken to a cutting board and give it a little time to cool.
Does boiling frozen chicken make it tough?
A quick, simple, and guaranteed method for consistently producing juicy, tender chicken cuts is to boil chicken from frozen. You’ll also produce homemade chicken broth to use in subsequent recipes.