How to Shred Chicken

Time needed: 10 minutes

These foolproof methods will help you shred chicken more easily and efficiently. From a grilled chicken breast to a rotisserie chicken, these methods will come in hand at any time.

Once you have perfectly shredded chicken, you can make meals like our Chicken Caesar Pitas, or our Air Fryer Chicken Taquitos. Or sprinkle with Chicken Taco Seasoning.

1. Using your hands

   This method can be used with a cooked skinless boneless chicken breast, or a whole chicken.
   
   Let your cooked chicken cool so it can be easily handled. If you try to shred the chicken too soon, it may be too hot and could burn you.
   
   Place the chicken on a clean surface, like a cutting board or platter. With clean hands, tear pieces of chicken off and make into desired size.
   
   I use this method when the chicken is cool enough to handle. It's fast and effective, even if it's a little messy.
   

2. The 2 Fork Method

   This method is best used with chicken breast, thighs, and drumsticks, and even whole in bone chickens.
   
   First, place the cooked chicken on a cutter board or plate. Then, with two forks, place one for in the cooked chicken and gently pull off pieces of chicken with the other fork. Shred the chicken until the entire chicken is the desired size pieces.
   
   This is probably my least favorite method. I have a hard time getting the chicken to the size that I want. But some find it still an effective method.
   

3. The Hand Mixer Method

   This method is best used for skinless boneless chicken breasts, or any chicken that has been removed from the bone.
   
   Place the cooked chicken in a medium sized mixing bowl with high sides.
   
   Next, with a hand mixer, beat the chicken on a low speed until the chicken pieces are the desired sizes. Be sure to hold on to the bowl while mixing, it will move a lot.
   
   I love the control you have when using this method. When shredding the chicken, I can make sure i get the size of chicken just right.
   
   

4. The Stand Mixer Method

   This method is best used for skinless boneless chicken breasts, or any chicken that has been removed from the bone.
   
   Place the cooked chicken into a stand mixer. Lower the paddle and beat on a low setting until the chicken is in even pieces at the desired size.
   
   Chicken in the the stand mixer can be easily beaten to too small of pieces. Make sure to keep and eye on the chicken while beating.
   
   I use this method the most. It's quick and effective. The only downside is sometimes it shreds the chicken a little too much if you don't watch it carefully.
   

5. How to Shred Rotisserie Chicken

   Shredding a whole chicken or rotisserie chicken in bone is easy.
   
   First, once the cooked chicken is cooled, remove the chicken meat from the bones. Next, place the meat in a medium sized bowl.
   
   Use any of the 4 methods listed above to shred the chicken once it is off of the bone. This method is great for shredding our air fryer spatchcock chicken.
   

6. How to Shred Chicken in the Crockpot or Instant Pot

   Once your chicken is cooked, shredding chicken in the crockpot or instant pot is easy!
   
   Once the chicken is fully cooked, the best methods to use are the two fork method or the electric hand mixer. Both methods allow you to get desired results without having to remove the chicken from the crockpot or instant pot.