Easy Cooked Shredded Chicken and 8 Recipes To Use It (2024)

FAQs

What to do with dry shredded chicken? ›

Chicken stock or broth is the best liquid to impart flavor and moisture back into dry chicken. Warm your broth over a medium heat until it is hot but not boiling. Place your shredded chicken in the pan until it is barely covered with enough broth to coat the chicken.

Some basic seasonings to add to shredded chicken after it's cooked include salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, paprika, and chili powder. These seasonings can add depth of flavor to the chicken and complement a variety of dishes.

How long does shredded chicken last in the fridge? Shredded chicken, like other kinds of leftover chicken, lasts three to four days in the refrigerator when properly cooked and stored. How long does raw chicken last in the fridge? According to the USDA, you should use raw chicken within 1 to 2 days of purchase.

The best side to go with pulled chicken sandwiches are creamy coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and fritters. Creamy coleslaw, made from shredded cabbage, carrot, and mayonnaise, is a great side dish (and a delicious dip for bread), especially for pulled chicken sandwiches.

Pair it with Pasta

Or maybe there's some leftover pasta salad in the fridge? Mix in the chicken to give it a little extra protein—the sauce from the pasta will cover up the dryness of the chicken.

Moisture: Introduce moisture to the chicken to help soften it. You can do this by marinating the cooked chicken in a sauce or broth for a while. This can help rehydrate the meat and add some flavor. Just be careful not to over-marinate, as the chicken could become mushy.

Just because the chicken is already cooked doesn't mean it can't benefit from a rub. Before reheating, make a custom blend of your favorite spices like paprika, cayenne, onion or garlic powder. Mix in dried herbs or a bit of sugar for beautiful caramelization, then sprinkle it evenly over the skin.

Marinate the shredded chicken.

I know it sounds weird to marinate already cooked chicken but stay with me. Promise it will be good. Transfer the cooked, shredded chicken to a bowl and add the marinade. Let it sit in the fridge for 20 minutes or longer.

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.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), raw chicken can be kept in your fridge approximately 1–2 days. The same applies to raw turkey and other poultry (1). Meanwhile, cooked chicken can last in the refrigerator approximately 3–4 days (1).

Can you put warm shredded chicken in the fridge? ›

Cooked chicken should be refrigerated within no more than 2 hours after cooking or removal from an appliance keeping it warm.

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.

At least in the U.S., pulled chicken implies that the chicken has been barbecued or smoked low and slow, usually with a regional rub of some sort, and perhaps a barbecue sauce. Shredded chicken refers only to the consistency of the meat, which could have been baked or stewed or whatever.

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.

Yes, absolutely! Since rotisserie chicken is fully cooked and seasoned already, it can be eaten cold in many ways. I love to shred it up and add to salads and sandwiches.

If your chicken is overcooked, just pull a batch of the homemade broth from the freezer, reheat it until simmering, and add the chicken. Spice it up with fresh herbs and your favorite rice, dumpling, or noodle — and dinner is done.

In addition, chicken breast has less fat and can become dry (chewy or rubbery) if cooked for too long. Without moisture, the protein fibers in the chicken become elastic.

✨Microwave Method✨ Add chicken broth to the bottom of a microwave-safe dish. Add the chicken to the top and cover the chicken with a damp paper towel. Cook for 2 minutes, flipping halfway through. Add back in an additional 30 seconds if still not to the desired temperature.

Re-hydrate food fastest with boiling water

Re-hydrating food goes fastest in boiling water. Place your dehydrated vegetables and meats in your cooking pot, add enough water to completely cover the food, then bring the water to a boil. Keep adding water as necessary to keep the food covered.