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Easy Shredded Chicken


. . .for tacos, tostadas, enchiladas, nachos, chicken tortilla soup . . .

Home Recipes Mains Easy Shredded Chicken for Tacos

Easy Shredded Chicken for Tacos

Mains, Recipes |

You’ll want to keep a supply of this shredded chicken in your freezer for quick meals!

You won't believe this easy shredded chicken recipe. Make extra and store for those hectic last-minute dinners. I do! | The Recipe Wench

This shredded chicken can be a great base for your game day menu —

Think about it — enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, chicken enchilada dip . . .

You won't believe this easy shredded chicken recipe. Make extra and store for those hectic last-minute dinners. I do! | The Recipe Wench

The bonus is the broth remaining in the pot after you’ve cooked the chicken!

Instead of discarding it, I add this delicious broth to soups  . . . like this Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup!

So when I freeze shredded chicken, I measure out 1/4 cup portions and place a few portions in a ziplock.

I figure 1/4 cup of chicken makes a nice, substantial taco or tostada. I’d probably use a little more meat in an enchilada . . .

After I’ve filled the ziplock with what I think Jeff and I will go through in one meal, I add about 1/4 cup of broth, press as much air out of the ziplock as I can, and then pop it into the freezer!

I cooked 4 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breast and wound up with enough meat for 30 tacos/tostadas.  That’s a pretty good return on investment, don’t you think?

There’s no reason you couldn’t use other cuts of the chicken (e.g., thighs, drumsticks) — I’m just partial to boneless, skinless breasts for most of my chicken dishes.

Enjoy! – The Recipe Wench

Easy Shredded Chicken

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Easy Shredded Chicken
Serves 30
Prep time 3 minutes
Cook time 1 hour
Total time 1 hours, 3 minutes
Meal type Main Dish
Slightly adapted from recipe on David's Free Recipes
Super easy shredded chicken is great to have on hand for hectic, last-minute dinners! Really versatile -- and did I mention easy???

Ingredients

  • 4 Pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast (You can use thighs if you prefer)
  • water (enough to cover chicken)
  • 1 Tablespoon chili powder (I use chipotle chili powder)
  • 1 Teaspoon each: kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, oregano and cumin

Note

This recipe is thanks to one I found on David's Free Recipes.  He wrote, "Just like the taco shops in San Diego." I was hooked!  You will be too!  I make extra and freeze to use when I just don't feel like cooking. Also, the broth created as you're simmering the chicken is delicious -- I use it as a base for chicken tortilla soup.

Enjoy! - The Recipe Wench

Directions

Step 1
Place chicken in large pot.
Add just enough water to cover chicken.
Add seasonings.
Bring all to a boil.
Continue boiling for 10 minutes then reduce to a simmer.
Continue simmering until chicken is tender and falling apart (about 30-45 minutes).
Remove chicken and allow to cool before shredding.

You won't believe this easy shredded chicken recipe. Make extra and store for those hectic last-minute dinners. I do! | The Recipe Wench

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10 Comments

Leave your reply.
  • Welcome to LittleSugarSnaps
    · Reply

    January 25, 2016 at 10:42 PM
    Simple = Delicious. And once it's ready, so versatile. Thanks for sharing.
    • Bridget
      · Reply

      Author
      January 26, 2016 at 3:19 PM
      You're quite welcome!
  • Andcakestoo
    · Reply

    January 25, 2016 at 3:56 PM
    Hey Bridget, you are right about it being a game day favourite. Although, we won't doing superbowl. Talk cricket T2o world cup instead. I might actually use this chicken to make wraps instead. Let me see. Definitely sharing it to the nines; take care. Much love. Cheers!
    • Bridget
      · Reply

      Author
      January 25, 2016 at 4:24 PM
      Wraps! Great idea! Enjoy the T20 world cup -- may your team win!
  • Shelby
    · Reply

    January 25, 2016 at 11:22 AM
    I love everything taco! I will have to use this method and make my life easier :) I don't utilize my freezer enough - and I love how you explain how you freeze your portions! The Tacos look yummy too!
    • Bridget
      · Reply

      Author
      January 29, 2016 at 7:30 AM
      Yes! Here's to making life easier!
  • sarahlorrainebond
    · Reply

    January 25, 2016 at 10:24 AM
    This is so simple! Thanks for the recipe! When I'm feeling especially motivated, I like to sear it real quick to add a bit of smoky burnt flavor :)
    • Bridget
      · Reply

      Author
      January 25, 2016 at 1:46 PM
      You are welcome! Oooh a smokey flavor . . . I like that idea. I use chipotle chili powder, but now that you've got me thinking about smokey flavor, I might throw a chipotle pepper in there too! Thanks for the inspiration!
  • anniesnomsblog
    · Reply

    January 25, 2016 at 9:44 AM
    It's always a great idea to have chicken to hand in this house as it is by far our favourite meat! Love how easy this recipe is!
    • Bridget
      · Reply

      Author
      January 25, 2016 at 1:42 PM
      Yep! I'm onboard with that! Even for Jeff and I -- we're empty nesters and still this chicken is so great to have onhand. I'm even making more today!

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