Shredded chicken can be used in all kinds of cooking applications, from dips and stews to salads, sandwiches, and more. Making shredded chicken is easy to do: all you have to do is boil it! You just have to know how long to boil chicken to shred it. The boiling time will depend on how you’re boiling it and what cut of chicken you’re boiling, so let’s dig into the details. How long do you boil chicken to shred it? Keep reading this handy guide to find out!
- How to Boil Chicken to Shred It
- How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred
- How Long to Boil Whole Chicken to Shred
- How Long to Boil Chicken Breast to Shred
- How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs to Shred
- Table: How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred (Type of Chicken
- How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred on the Stovetop
- How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred in a Crock Pot
- How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred in a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot
- Table: How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred (By Cooking Method)
- How Long to Boil Shredded Chicken
How to Boil Chicken to Shred It
The steps for boiling shredded chicken are simple:
- First, fill a pot with water and heat it on the stove over medium-high heat until a rolling boil is achieved.
- Next, carefully add your chicken.
- Then, cook the chicken for the appropriate amount of time–see the guide below for more accurate cooking times.
- Finally, turn off the heat, drain the water, and shred the chicken using forks or meat shredders and enjoy!
How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred
The amount of time you’ll need to boil chicken depends on how you boil it and how much chicken you’re boiling, but generally, you can expect to boil for about 10 minutes.
How Long to Boil Whole Chicken to Shred
To boil a whole chicken for shredding, let the water come to a rolling boil, carefully add the whole chicken, and boil for about 60 minutes.
How Long to Boil Chicken Breast to Shred
Boiling chicken breast is one of the more simple ways to achieve shredded chicken, but how long do you boil chicken breast to shred it? You can boil chicken breast for 10-15 minutes before shredding it.
How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs to Shred
If you’re just boiling chicken thighs, you can boil them for 6-10 minutes until cooked through and tender enough to be shredded.
Table: How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred (Type of Chicken
| Type of Chicken | How Long to Boil (in minutes) |
| Whole Chicken | 60 minutes |
| Chicken Breast | 10-15 minutes |
| Chicken Thigh | 6-10 minutes |
How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred on the Stovetop
The standard method for boiling chicken uses the stovetop. You can boil chicken on the stovetop for around 15 minutes or until the internal temperature of the thickest parts of the breast and thigh read 165℉.
How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred in a Crock Pot
If you’re using a crock pot to make shredded chicken, the water doesn’t necessarily need to be boiling to cook the chicken. You can use a crock pot on low temperature for 3-4 hours.
How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred in a Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot
To cook chicken for shredding using a pressure cooker or an Instant Pot, cook it for 10 minutes at high pressure.
Table: How Long to Boil Chicken to Shred (By Cooking Method)
| Cooking Method | How Long to Boil (in minutes) |
| Stovetop | 15 minutes |
| Crock Pot | 3-4 hours |
| Pressure Cooker or Instant Pot | 10 minutes |
How Long to Boil Shredded Chicken
You can boil shredded chicken for 6-10 minutes.
