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shredded chicken in a bowl.
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5 from 5 votes

How to Boil Chicken Breast to Shred

Learn how to boil chicken breast to shred so it stays tender & juicy every time - it's ready in minutes and perfect for meal prep!
Cook Time12 minutes
Total Time12 minutes
Course: mains
Cuisine: British
Servings: 2
Calories: 314kcal
Cost: £1.50

Ingredients

  • 400 g (2 chicken) breasts (£2.99)
  • 1 tbsp peppercorns
  • 800 ml chicken stock

Instructions

  • Remove any excess fat off of the chicken breast.
  • To a medium saucepan, add the chicken stock and peppercorns. Bring to a boil, then add the chicken into the pan.
  • Reduce to a medium simmer and set your timer to 12 minutes (10 if it’s a smaller piece of chicken). Cook until the breast reads an internal temperature of 74°F (165°C).
  • Remove the chicken from the broth and either use two forks to shred it, or a hand whisk in a wide/tall bowl for a speedy shredding option. Season with salt and pepper and enjoy it as a healthy source of protein within a balanced meal!

Notes

  • Monitor chicken temperature closely, ensuring it doesn't exceed 74℃ (165℉) to avoid overcooking.
  • Boil chicken using low heat on a small burner to maintain a temperature below 82℃ (180℉).
  • Enhance chicken flavour by salting the boiling water.
  • After cooking, allow chicken to cool before shredding to preserve moisture, then spice it for added flavor. Additionally, save the broth for future use and use a hand for efficient shredding.

Nutrition

Calories: 314kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 68g | Fat: 4g