Just in case you have forgotten this truth, here it is again: Cooking meals for our families does not have to be a difficult job. This Simple 5-Minute Shredded Chicken is going to drop-kick the “cooking is hard” lie straight out the window.
Even if you don’t enjoy cooking, you can make this. Even if you don’t have time to cook, you can make this. Even if you can’t afford to spend much on groceries, you can make this. Even if you forgot to thaw meat, you can make this. Even if the idea of making a homemade meal brings tears to your eyes – wipe your tears, find 5-minutes, and make this. Even if you’re allergic to poultry…oh wait. That one is for real. If that is the case, please don’t make this.
To sum up, unless you are allergic to birds, there is no reason you should not make this (overuse of negatives, anyone?). Just make the chicken.
Let’s take a moment to get excited together about why making this Simple 5-Minute Chicken is a fabulous idea:
- It takes 5-minutes of “work.” This was obvious, but worth shouting about because no one can even go through a drive-thru in 5-minutes.
- You can make several meals worth of this chicken at the same time, storing it in the fridge or freezer, then pulling it out to add to meals as needed. This means that if you make 3-meals worth of this chicken at once, your 5-minutes of effort turns out 1.6666-Minute Chicken. #mathintherealworld
- If you have made this chicken ahead of time and you are storing it in your fridge, you now have ready-made chicken which has now become 0-Minute Chicken.
- Simple 5-Minute Chicken tastes really good and it is real food. We can’t say that about all convenience food, now can we?
Please note that the following recipe is barely a recipe. I am here to make your real food cooking life EASY. Simply get out chicken and get out spices. Place in crock pot, sprinkle, plug in, walk away, enjoy.
Simple 5-Minute Shredded Chicken
- 3-pounds boneless chicken thighs or breasts
- Any seasonings you like (I use garlic powder, sea salt, paprika, and parsley flakes)
- Place chicken in a crock pot and sprinkle with any herbs or spices you like.
- Cook on low for 4-5 hours.
- Shred chicken to use in any of your favorite recipes or to serve in tacos, or even as a main dish as-is!

How to use your 5-Minute Chicken
Add it to:
- Alfredo Sauce with Pasta
- Baked Three Cheese Chicken Pasta
- Chicken Burritos
- Creamy Chicken and Rice Casserole
- Easy Noodle Stir Fry
- Tacos
- Chef Salads
- Pasta Salads
- Quesadillas
Or eat it plain with veggies on the side. So easy and delicious!
Having Alfredo? Just add Simple 5-Minute Shredded Chicken…
Want More Simple Recipes?
We’ve got a huge list, and it keeps growing!
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- 20-Minute Taco Soup
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- Simple Chili Mac
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- From Burrito Bar to Casserole (a 5-Minute Meal!)
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- Super Simple Lasagna
- The Simplest White Chicken Chili
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- Cheeseburger Hashbrown Cups or Casserole
- Easiest Beef Roast in the Instant Pot
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- Simple Creamy Layered Enchiladas
- Simple Ham and Hashbrown Casserole
- 5-Minute Cheesy Hamburger and Potatoes
- Simple 10-Minute Instant Pot Mac and Cheese
- Simple Creamy Chicken Soup
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- Simple (Mostly Real Food) Tator Tot Casserole
- Simple Cheeseburger Noodle Crock Pot Dinner
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I like to throw my cooked chicken (while still warm) into my stand mixer with the paddle attachment for a few seconds. It shreds it so quickly and perfectly!
Wow! What a great idea. I am going to try that! Thanks for sharing.
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)
I make this all the time. Seriously, I tell new brides about my “recipe,” if you can call it that, and feel kinda silly. Chicken plus taco seasoning (my go-to seasoning). It’s always delicious!
So glad you enjoy it!!
-Bethany (Laura’s assistant)