Easy Shredded Chicken
- PREP 20min
- COOK 40min
- TOTAL 1hrs
This is our favorite method for making shredded chicken. Gently simmering boneless chicken thighs in a flavorful cooking broth helps them become tender and stay super juicy and moist. We go the extra step to ensure the chicken is as juicy and delicious as possible. Once the chicken is cooked, we simmer the cooking liquid by one-third and then spoon the concentrated broth over it before using the chicken in other dishes or serving. You can also enjoy the leftover liquid as a light broth!
You Will Need
3 pounds (1360g) boneless chicken thighs
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
4 cloves garlic, peeled and lightly crushed
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Water
Directions
Combine chicken, onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt, cumin, and pepper in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan.
Add just enough water to cover the chicken. Turn heat to high, bring to a boil, then remove any foam or scum that floats to the top.
Adjust the heat so that the water simmers very gently around the chicken. Cook until the chicken is very tender, about 30 minutes.
Transfer the chicken to a cutting board. When it is cool enough to handle, shred the meat with two forks or your fingers.
While the chicken cools, boil the liquid left in the pot until it has reduced by one-third or until its flavor has concentrated.
Spoon about 1 cup of the concentrated cooking liquid over the shredded chicken and toss to coat.
Adam and Joanne's Tips
- Storing: The chicken and broth will keep refrigerated up to 4 days and can be frozen for 3 months.
- Skin-on chicken: We have made this recipe using boneless, skinless chicken thighs and chicken thighs with skin still attached. Both work very well. If you use chicken with skin, simply remove and discard the skin before you shred the chicken. You may also find that you need to skim some of the fat from the cooking broth before spooning it over the chicken.
- Leftover cooking liquid: You will have cooking liquid leftover. It is quite delicious on its own as a light soup. You can also use it as broth for other recipes. Or, if you’re keeping the chicken more than a day, add a spoonful or two to add a little extra moisture.
- The nutrition facts provided below are estimates.