How to Boil Chicken Breasts for Shredding

How to Boil Chicken Breasts for Shredding

This is the easiest shredded chicken recipe ever! With just 2 ingredients and 20 minutes you will have cooked shredded chicken ready to add to salads, wraps, casseroles, tacos, burritos, nachos, enchiladas, and more!

Course Main Course, Recipes

Cuisine American

Prep Time 2

Cook Time 15

Additional Time 5

Total Time 22

Servings servings

Calories 129kcal

Author Kristi

Equipment

1 Stand mixer Or you can use a hand mixer.
1 Saucepan

Ingredients

1 ½ lbs boneless skinless chicken breast
4 cups water Add enough water to cover the chicken by 1 ½ - 2 inches.

Instructions

Lay the chicken breasts on the bottom of a small pot or larger saucepan.
Pour water in, being sure to cover the chicken with 1 ½ - 2 inches of water.
Bring the water to a boil using medium-high heat.
Once the water begins to boil, turn the heat down so that a slow boil is maintained (also known as simmering).
Cook chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165° Fahrenheit.
Remove the chicken from the water and place it in the bowl you will be shredding it in.
Set your mixer to medium-low speed to break the chicken breasts apart. Then gradually increase the speed and mix until all of the chicken is shredded.

Notes

Use the paddle attachment that comes with your stand mixer.
The size of the pot will be determined by the number of chicken breasts being cooked. For instance, a 2.5 qt saucepan (or small pot) can be used for 1-1.5 lbs. of chicken breast.
Although you can add seasonings based on preference, it really isn't necessary since the chicken will end up taking on the flavor of whatever you will be using it for.
If you would like to enhance the flavor, try boiling the chicken in chicken broth or add crushed garlic, pepper, and other herbs to the boiling water.
Cooking time will depend on the size of chicken breasts and how many breasts are cooing at the same time. It will likely take 12-17 minutes for the chicken to reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
Use a digital instant read food thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the cooked chicken. Overcooking the chicken will make it tough and more difficult to shred.
If you do not have a hand mixer or stand mixer, you can use two forks to shred chicken by hand. Shredding by hand using two forks works, it just takes longer.

Nutrition