Find out how to make shredded chicken at home and how to make it work for your specific diet - with 11 easy shredded chicken recipes to add to your healthy meal rotation!

Didn’t finish the rotisserie chicken from the night before? Shred it. Have an extra chicken breast that you don’t want to leave in the fridge? Shred it. Too few chicken pieces and too many mouths to feed? Shred it.
Having a healthy diet is so much more manageable when you make things easy for yourself. Something like shredded chicken is so versatile and works well with a myriad of ingredients, helping to keep your keto, paleo or Whole30 diet as simple as possible!
How To Make Shredded Chicken?
STEP 1 : Cooking
There are many different ways to cook chicken breasts. Here are 3 methods you can use for chicken you want to shred:
- Baking
Pre-heat your oven to 400°F / 200 °C. Prepare a baking dish with oil or non-stick spray. Place chicken breasts in a single layer. Bake chicken until it is no longer pink inside (15-20 minutes). - Boiling
Place chicken breasts in a pot. Fill with water (or chicken broth/stock) until covered. Bring the water/broth to a boil. Reduce the heat and continue to simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
- Crockpot
Place chicken breasts in the slow cooker in a single layer. Pour ½ a cup of water/broth around the chicken. Cover with a lid and and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
STEP 2 : Shredding
How do you shred chicken easily? The best way to shred chicken is by using two forks to gently pull the cooked chicken breasts apart. Some people like to use a blender or food processor, but that can result in the chicken having a more crumbly texture.
How Long Does Shredded Chicken Last In The Fridge?
When properly stored in an airtight container, shredded chicken can last for approximately 3 to 4 days in the fridge.
If you store it in a ziploc bag or airtight container in the freezer, the shredded chicken can last up to about 4 months, which makes it perfect for those days when you need protein for a quick throw-together recipe.
What To Make With Shredded Chicken?
There's no need to wonder about what you eat with shredded chicken. The options are endless. On its own, in a soup or casserole, used as a filling or made into individual fritters. This is such a versatile ingredient that the whole family will love!
Below you'll find 11 healthy recipes using shredded chicken in different ways. Test them out for yourself...
1. Keto Cheesy Chicken Fritters
These keto shredded chicken fritters are fantastic for kids! Chicken breasts are a good source of lean protein, which is essential for building little growing muscles. Planning a nutritious diet using whole, fresh ingredients is one of the best things you can do for your child's development!
9 Ingredients:
( 30 minutes )
Fresh:
- boneless chicken breast
- eggs
Fridge and Pantry:
- almond flour
- shredded mozzarella
- olive oil
Herbs and Spices:
- fresh basil
- chives
- parsley
- garlic powder
- salt and pepper
- Calories: 397
- Carbs: 3g
Find this RECIPE at Blondelish.
2. Instant Pot Keto Mexican Shredded Chicken
The fewer ingredients used, the better. One perk of homemade cooking is having full control of what goes into your body. This instant pot Mexican shredded chicken allows you to enjoy that delicious Mexican flavor found in restaurants without sacrificing your health in the process.
8 Ingredients:
( 25 minutes )
Fresh:
- boneless chicken breasts
- fresh lime juice
- garlic cloves
Fridge and Pantry:
- canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
Herbs and Spices:
- oregano
- cumin
- smoked paprika
- salt and pepper
- Calories: 250
- Carbs: 9g
Find this RECIPE at Taste and See.
3. Shredded Chicken Salad
A fresh cold meat salad can be a lifesaver when you're eating healthy on the go. This shredded chicken salad is an easy option for a healthy lunchbox or snack. It uses a mayo made with olive oil or avocado oil, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties and contains a lot of antioxidants. No more dodgy store-bought mayonnaise and meat salads!
5 Ingredients:
( 35 minutes )
Fresh:
- boneless chicken breast
- celery
- minced sweet onion
Fridge and Pantry:
- carton chicken broth/stock
- mayonnaise*
Herbs and Spices:
- salt and pepper
*Make your own homemade mayo using this recipe or try an excellent healthy store-bought option.
- Calories: 448
- Carbs: 3g
Find this RECIPE at 40 Aprons.
4. Creamy Garlic Keto Chicken Soup
At only 2g of carbs per serving, this soup is the perfect addition to your keto eating plan! It uses chicken broth as a base, which is highly nutritious and helps to protect your joints and fights against osteoarthritis.
6 Ingredients
( 20 minutes )
Fresh:
- shredded chicken
Fridge and Pantry:
- butter
- cream cheese
- heavy cream
- chicken broth
Herbs and Spices:
- Stacey Hawkins Garlic Gusto Seasoning*
- salt
*The author of this recipe uses a seasoning from a specific brand found on the market. Feel free to try it out or to use your own alternative!
- Calories: 307
- Carbs: 2g
5. Keto Shredded Chicken Pizza Crust
It can be difficult to cut down on something as delicious as pizza. This recipe uses shredded chicken as a protein-rich base, then topped with fresh ingredients and mozzarella. This pizza-alternative will help you to stay on track with your health and to stay in ketosis!
8 Ingredients:
( 35 minutes )
Fresh:
- shredded chicken
- garlic cloves
- eggs
- spinach
- red onion
Fridge and Pantry:
- parmesan cheese
- alfredo sauce*
- mozzarella
Herbs and Spices:
- sea salt
*The author of this recipe uses a specific recipe for the alfredo sauce. Feel free to substitute the shredded chicken pizza crust with any sauce or topping of your choice!
- Calories: 441
- Carbs: 5g
Find this RECIPE at Wholesome Yum.
6. Paleo Pesto Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
This delicious paleo shredded chicken recipe is perfect for those of you who'd like to skip the dairy. The pesto sauce mix uses nutritional yeast, which gives it that rich nutty and cheesy flavor. Plus, it's full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants!
10 Ingredients:
( 60 minutes )
Fresh:
- walnuts
- shredded chicken
- garlic cloves
- spinach
- sweet potatoes
- fresh lemon juice
Fridge and Pantry:
- olive oil
- nutritional yeast
Herbs and Spices:
- fresh basil leaves
- sea salt
( No nutrition information available. )
7. Instant Pot Buffalo Chicken Soup
Keeping a few homemade sauces or healthy store-bought alternatives in the fridge can make keto cooking a breeze. This recipe uses ranch dressing and buffalo sauce to get that restaurant-worthy flavor. If you make your own or stock up on these kinds of sauces, you'll seldom need to tackle miles-long ingredients lists!
13 Ingredients:
( 30 minutes )
Fresh:
- boneless chicken breast
- minced garlic
- bell pepper
- celery
Fridge and Pantry:
- butter
- carton chicken broth
- ranch dressing
- buffalo sauce
- cream cheese
- cheddar
Herbs and Spices:
- paprika
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- Calories: 428
- Carbs: 5,6g
Find this RECIPE at The Best Keto Recipes.
8. Shredded Chicken Jalapeno Popper Dip
Having guests over while you're trying to stay low-carb can be tricky. Treat your friends AND yourself to this delicious homemade shredded chicken jalapeño dip. They won't even notice your "diet food" - guaranteed.
7 Ingredients:
( 40 minutes )
Fresh:
- shredded chicken
- jalapeño peppers
Fridge and Pantry:
- cream cheese
- mayonnaise
- sour cream
- cheddar
- bacon crumbles
Herbs and Spices:
- salt
- Calories: 440
- Carbs: 2g
Find this RECIPE at Joy Filled Eats.
9. Keto Crockpot White Shredded Chicken Chili
The great thing about this crockpot shredded chicken recipe is how little hands-on time is required. For any busy parents who are working or raising kids this can be a lifesaver. Spend 10 minutes prepping the ingredients around midday, and by dinner time the only thing you'll have to do is set the table!
11 Ingredients:
( Prep: 10 minutes )
Fresh:
- boneless chicken breasts
- onion
- green chiles
- minced garlic
- fresh lime juice
Fridge and Pantry:
- chicken stock
- heavy cream
- cream cheese
- olive oil
Herbs and Spices:
- chile powder
- cumin
- cayenne pepper (optional)
- Calories: 266
- Carbs: 6,1g
10. Low-Carb Mexican Shredded Chicken Fajita Casserole
Make your healthy eating habits easier by cooking this casserole as a big batch. Save some for dinner and freeze the rest. Whenever you're short on time or not feeling particularly well, you'll have a healthy, keto-friendly meal on hand.
7 Ingredients:
( 40 minutes )
Fresh:
- chicken breasts
- bell peppers
- onion
Fridge and Pantry:
- coconut oil
- cream cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
Herbs and Spices:
- taco seasoning
- Calories: 228
- Carbs: 4g
Find this RECIPE at My Montana Kitchen.
11. Keto Shredded Chicken Pizza Bake
Get that classic, mouth-watering pizza flavor without all the refined flours and carbs. A big part of what makes pizza so delicious is the sauce, toppings, and CHEESE. The crust is more like a vessel for all the deliciousness on top of it. So, why not skip the crust completely?
9 Ingredients:
( 20 minutes )
Fresh:
- shredded chicken
- black olives
- green bell pepper
- onion
- mushrooms
- pepperoni
- sausage crumbles
Fridge and Pantry:
- mozzarella
- marinara sauce
- Calories: 324
- Carbs: 6g
Find this RECIPE at Easy Family Recipes.
In Conclusion:
Shredded chicken recipes should definitely be a part of your healthy meal rotation. Any chicken that you can’t finish today can be tomorrow’s leftover shredded chicken recipe. There are so many options with this ingredient - you’ll be able to keep the whole family happy!
Did You Make One Of These Shredded Chicken Recipes?
If you made one of these yummy recipes that we rounded-up for you – please let us know in the comments how it turned out! If you have any improvements or other awesome shredded chicken recipes of your own – let us and other readers know as well!
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