Shredded Chicken Recipes (How to Cook and Make-ahead) (2024)

FAQs

How do you keep shredded chicken moist after cooking? ›

If your chicken is dry or tough, it is because it is overcooked. For the Juiciest Chicken. Remove the chicken a few degrees early. Place it on a plate, cover it, and let rest for five more minutes.

Add several tablespoons of chicken stock or water—just enough so that there's a very shallow layer of liquid in the pan. Then cover the pan tightly with a double layer of foil. The steam created by the water will help ensure the meat stays nice and moist.

Chicken is one of the best meats for meal prep because it's inexpensive and lasts for up to four days in the fridge after you've cooked it, so we're here to make sure that when it comes to chicken, your prep is perfect.

USDA recommends using cooked chicken within three to four days, kept refrigerated (40°F or less). Refrigeration slows but does not stop bacterial growth. USDA recommends using cooked leftovers within three to four days.

Getting a good sear through medium high heat, then reducing the heat to LOW and COVERING the chicken while it cooks. The butter, oil, and chicken juices create a super flavorful liquid that acts as a way to steam the chicken at a low temperature, ensuring that it is moist & tender on the inside.

Cover the chicken breast in foil to hold in moisture and let it rest for at least five minutes. The resting time allows the juices to distribute themselves throughout the meat, making it easier to slice later.

Most appliances will automatically shut off after 20 or so hours on this setting, but you shouldn't leave food in a slow cooker for an extended length of time. 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.

Spray a skillet with non-stick spray or add 1 to 2 tablespoons of oil. Set the burner to medium-high. When the oil is heated through, add the chicken to the skillet. Stir frequently until the chicken is heated through, about 5 minutes, and then remove it from the skillet.

How to Store Cooked Chicken In the Fridge. Once the chicken is cooked and cooled, refrigerate it within 2 hours of sitting at room temperature. Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator (at 40 F or less). Be sure to label the container with the date and contents.

Can you pre cook chicken and reheat? ›

Yes, you definitely can. It is crucial to heat chicken when reheating it thoroughly. As many of us love to indulge ourself in hot, crispy wings of KFC or grilled BBQ prepared at most gatherings.

Proper storage: If you don't plan to use the pre-cooked chicken immediately, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze it for longer shelf life.

Refrigerate shredded chicken in an airtight container with a half-cup of the poaching liquid (if available) to keep it moist and juicy for up to three days. Bring refrigerated cooked chicken to room temperature before shredding to help it separate more easily.

Food that has just been cooked or taken out of the oven to cool should be cooled as quickly as possible to prevent the growth of bacteria. Hot food cannot be put directly into the fridge after cooking. Putting hot food into a fridge may cause the fridge temperature to increase above 5 °C.

If you are meal prepping or slicing and dicing chicken ahead of time to save time in the kitchen, you can cut the chicken up to 2 days beforehand to shave off a good 15 minutes from kitchen duty later in the week.

Safe Food Handling for Raw Chicken

Use a designated plastic cutting board for raw meat. Do not prep raw chicken on the same board you use for vegetables. Wash everything used in food preparation in hot, soapy water. This includes not just knives or other utensils and cutting boards, but also counters.

Give the chicken about 10 minutes to rest after cooking to lock in those juices, then go ahead and dice or shred. Package your chicken in an airtight container. Place containers in the fridge for use later that week or pop them in the freezer for long-term storage.

Once the chicken has cooled, transfer it to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Label the container with the date of preparation so you know how long it has been stored in the fridge. Cooked chicken can be safely stored in the fridge for up to four days.