Name: Slow-Cooker Shredded Chicken
Cook time: 10 minutes
Total time: 6 hours, 10 minutes
Yield: Makes about 6 cups
Ingredients: 4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs; 2 medium onions, peeled, halved with root intact; 1 head of garlic, unpeeled, rinsed, halved crosswise; 2 bay leaves; 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth; 1 tablespoon (or more) kosher salt; 1 teaspoon (or more) freshly ground black pepper

A bowl of shredded chicken beside a pile of tortillas a bowl of chopped tomatoes a bowl of black beans and a small dish...

Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson

Freeze smaller portions of this versatile, flavorful shredded chicken and you'll be so glad you did. It's the perfect base to build any meal—tacos, fried rice, hearty soups, pastas, barbecue chicken sandwiches, or anything else your heart desires.

Recipe information

Total Time
6 hours, 10 minutes
Yield
Makes about 6 cups

Ingredients

4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

2 medium onions, peeled, halved with root intact

1 head of garlic, unpeeled, rinsed, halved crosswise

2 bay leaves

4 cups low-sodium chicken broth

1 tablespoon (or more) kosher salt

1 teaspoon (or more) freshly ground black pepper

Preparation

Step 1
Mix chicken, onions, garlic, bay leaves, broth, salt, and pepper in a slow cooker. Cover and cook until chicken shreds easily when pierced with a fork, about 4 hours on high or 6 hours on low.
Step 2
Remove chicken from liquid and shred with a fork; taste and season with salt and pepper, if needed. Strain stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a medium bowl; discard vegetables. Store chicken and broth together or separately.
Do Ahead
Step 3
Chicken can be made 3 days ahead; cover and chill either in broth or separately, or freeze either together or separately up to 6 months.