Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between shredded chicken and pulled chicken? ›

There is no difference between shredded chicken and pulled chicken; both terms can be used interchangeably. Both refer to meat cooked until tender, then “pulled” or “shredded” along the meat's grain. Shredded and pulled chicken are popular in sandwiches, soups, pizzas, tacos, enchiladas, and casseroles.

Aside from accidentally overcooking the meals, the most common reason we see for tough, rubbery, or overdone chicken is customers using a Crockpot that is far too big.

For a whole chicken – Place it in your slow cooker breast side down. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 4-5 hours or Low for 6-8 hours. For bone-in pieces - Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer in the slow cooker. Cover with the lid and cook on High for around 3-4 hours or Low for 4-6 hours.

We found that the only way to cook chicken (and turkey) in a slow cooker is on the low setting and for a relatively short amount of time.

If the chicken is cooked too long, it will become dry (even if you use broth or water) and tough.

Leaving chicken in a pan, oven, or grill for just a little too long can suck the moisture right out and leave you with a dry, rubbery bird. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic. The types of chicken you buy at the store can also make a difference.

That is why tough meats become “fork tender” in the slow cooker. Chicken breasts have very little connective tissue; that means they can be cooked quickly because the long cooking time needed to soften connective tissue isn't necessary. They also have little fat, which means they can become dry if cooked too long.

Yes, you can put raw chicken in a slow cooker! Slow cookers and Crock-Pots are designed to cook raw meats. The direct heat from the pot, lengthy cooking time and steam created from the tightly covered container destroys bacteria, making slow cooking safe. You can put frozen chicken in a slow cooker, too!

Rubbery chicken is usually an indicator of overcooked chicken. The longer the chicken cooks, the more moisture it loses, and without moisture, the protein fibers become elastic, AKA rubbery.

Change cooking times depending on your schedule. One hour on HIGH generally equals two hours on LOW.

How long can chicken stay in the crockpot on low? ›

Cover your crock pot and cook chicken breasts on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Chicken is done when the internal temp reaches 165 degrees F. Use chicken in your favorite recipes. Perfect for shredding!

Chicken stock, low-sodium chicken broth, or water: I prefer chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth if I have it on hand because it adds a little more flavor, but water works equally well. Adding some liquid to the slow cooker is an essential step, and ensures that the chicken is tender and juicy.

Low: 7-8 hours to reach the simmer point. High: 3-4 hours to reach the simmer point. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device.

Chicken becomes rubbery/chewy when it's overcooked. So in general, including in a slow cooker, don't cook as long. There are lots of recipes online, they can give you a good place to start.

The general rule of thumb is that 2-4 hours is the maximum length of time you can leave food in a slow cooker on warm. After this, it needs to be cooled and transferred into the refrigerator.

The term “pulled” is usually associated with pulling meat off the bone, whereas shredded meat may be either pulled from the bone or come from a boneless cut. Pulled meat and shredded meat can be substituted for each other in recipes, as long as you've used the right kind of cut in the first instance.

of meat : prepared after being cooked to tenderness by being pulled apart into pieces or shreds. pulled pork. pulled chicken.

You can use boneless skinless chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs. The thighs are naturally more moist but either one works. You just don't want skin or bones for this method, given how we'll shred the chicken.

While any cut of chicken can be shredded, boneless, skinless chicken breasts are naturally made for shredding: their fibers are perfectly aligned so the breast shreds easily and quickly. If you want shorter pieces in your shredded chicken, cut the breast in half crosswise before shredding it.