How to Make Shredded Chicken in a Blender: A Quick and Easy Method

Shredded chicken is a versatile ingredient that you can use for salads, sandwiches, tacos, soups, and more. It’s also a great way to use up leftover chicken or cook chicken in bulk for meal prep.

But shredding chicken by hand can be tedious and time-consuming. You have to use two forks or a knife to pull apart the cooked chicken into small pieces, which can take a lot of effort and patience.

Fortunately, there’s a quicker and easier way to make shredded chicken: using a blender. Yes, you read that right. You can use a blender to shred chicken in minutes, without any hassle or mess.

In this article, we’ll show you how to make shredded chicken in a blender, what kind of blender you need, and some tips and tricks to get the best results. We’ll also answer some frequently asked questions about shredding chicken in a blender.

How to Make Shredded Chicken in a Blender

Making shredded chicken in a blender is a simple process that involves four steps: cooking the chicken, letting it rest, cutting it into chunks, and blending it. Here are the details of each step:

• Cook the chicken: The first step is to cook the chicken until it’s fully cooked and tender. You can use any method you prefer, such as boiling, baking, roasting, or microwaving. You can also season the chicken with salt, pepper, herbs, spices, or marinades to add more flavor. The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces, but generally, it will take about 20 to 30 minutes for chicken breasts and thighs. You can check the doneness of the chicken by cutting into one of the thickest parts and making sure it’s white and juicy, not pink or dry. You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach at least 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
• Let the chicken rest: The next step is to let the chicken rest for about 10 minutes before shredding it. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat and keep it moist and flavorful. It also prevents the chicken from drying out or becoming mushy when you blend it. To let the chicken rest, simply transfer it to a cutting board or a plate and cover it loosely with foil or plastic wrap.
• Cut the chicken into chunks: The third step is to cut the chicken into large chunks that can fit into your blender. You don’t have to be precise or uniform here; just make sure they are not too big or too small. Too big chunks may not blend well or may jam your blender. Too small chunks may over-blend and become pasty or stringy. Aim for chunks that are about 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7 cm) in size.
• Blend the chicken: The final step is to blend the chicken until it’s shredded to your desired consistency. To do this, add one chunk of chicken at a time to your blender jar and cover it with the lid. Turn on your blender at low speed and pulse it on and off for a few seconds until the chunk is shredded. Repeat with the remaining chunks of chicken until you have enough shredded chicken for your recipe. Be careful not to over-blend or over-fill your blender; otherwise, you may end up with pureed or unevenly shredded chicken.

That’s it! You have just made shredded chicken in a blender in minutes. You can use it right away for your recipe or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

What Kind of Blender Do You Need?

To make shredded chicken in a blender, you need a high-powered blender that can handle hard and dense ingredients like cooked meat. A high-powered blender has a strong motor that can spin fast and create enough force and friction to shred the chicken without leaving any chunks or lumps. A high-powered blender also has sharp and sturdy blades that can cut through the chicken without bending or breaking.

Some examples of high-powered blenders are Vitamix, Blendtec, Ninja, and NutriBullet. These blenders have motors that range from 900 to 1500 watts and blades that can spin up to 30,000 revolutions per minute (RPM). They can also blend other tough ingredients like ice, nuts, seeds, and frozen fruits.

However, you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good blender for making shredded chicken. You can also use a regular blender that has at least 600 watts of power and a pulse function. A pulse function allows you to control the blending speed and time by turning the blender on and off manually. This way, you can avoid over-blending or under-blending your chicken.

Tips and Tricks for Making Shredded Chicken in a Blender

To make shredded chicken in a blender successfully, here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

• Use boneless and skinless chicken for easier shredding. You can use any part of the chicken, such as breast, thigh, or leg, but make sure to remove any bones and skin before cooking and shredding. Bones and skin can damage your blender or affect the texture of your shredded chicken.
• Use warm or room temperature chicken for better shredding. Cold or frozen chicken may be harder to shred or may cause your blender to overheat. Warm or room temperature chicken is softer and more pliable, making it easier to shred. You can reheat your cooked chicken in the microwave or on the stovetop before shredding it if it’s cold or frozen.
• Use a little bit of liquid to help the blending process. Adding a small amount of liquid, such as water, broth, juice, or sauce, to your blender jar can help lubricate the blades and create a smoother and more even shred. However, don’t add too much liquid; otherwise, you may end up with watery or soggy shredded chicken. A good rule of thumb is to add about 1/4 cup (60 ml) of liquid per pound (450 g) of chicken.
• Strain your shredded chicken if it’s too wet. If your shredded chicken comes out too wet or moist after blending, you can strain it using a colander or a cheesecloth to remove any excess liquid. This will make your shredded chicken drier and fluffier, which is ideal for some recipes like salads or sandwiches.

FAQs

Q: Can you shred raw chicken in a blender?

A: No, you should not shred raw chicken in a blender. Shredding raw chicken in a blender can be dangerous and result in undercooked or contaminated chicken. Raw chicken may contain harmful bacteria like salmonella or campylobacter that can cause food poisoning if not cooked properly. Shredding raw chicken in a blender may also damage your blender or create a mess. You should always cook your chicken thoroughly before shredding it in a blender.

Q: How do you shred cooked chicken without a blender?

A: If you don’t have a blender or don’t want to use one, you can still shred cooked chicken using other methods. Here are some of them:

• Use two forks: This is the most common and traditional method of shredding cooked chicken by hand. Simply hold one fork in each hand and use them to pull apart the cooked chicken into small pieces. This method may take some time and effort, but it gives you more control over the size and shape of your shredded chicken.
• Use a stand mixer: This is an easy and fast method of shredding cooked chicken using an electric appliance. Simply place your cooked chicken in the bowl of your stand mixer and use the paddle attachment to beat it on low speed until it’s shredded. This method may take less than a minute, depending on how much chicken you have.
• Use a food processor: This is another easy and fast method of shredding cooked chicken using an electric appliance. Simply place your cooked chicken in the bowl of your food processor and use the pulse function to chop it until it’s shredded. This method may take less than a minute, depending on how much chicken you have.

Q: What can you do with shredded chicken?

A: Shredded chicken is a versatile ingredient that you can use for many recipes. Here are some of them:

• Make chicken salad: Mix your shredded chicken with some mayonnaise, celery, onion, salt, pepper, and other seasonings of your choice. You can also add some nuts, grapes, cranberries, or apples for some crunch and sweetness. Enjoy your chicken salad on bread, lettuce, or crackers.
• Make chicken tacos: Heat your shredded chicken in a skillet with some taco seasoning, water, and salsa. Spoon your chicken mixture onto tortillas and top with cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and cilantro. Enjoy your chicken tacos with some guacamole and lime wedges.
• Make chicken soup: Simmer your shredded chicken in a pot with some chicken broth, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, salt, pepper, and bay leaf. You can also add some noodles, rice, or dumplings for some extra carbs. Enjoy your chicken soup with some bread or crackers.
• Make chicken casserole: Combine your shredded chicken with some cream of chicken soup, sour cream, cheese, and seasonings in a baking dish. Sprinkle some crushed crackers or bread crumbs on top. Bake your chicken casserole in the oven until bubbly and golden. Enjoy your chicken casserole with some green beans or salad.

Conclusion

Making shredded chicken in a blender is a quick and easy method that can save you time and hassle. You just need to cook the chicken, let it rest, cut it into chunks, and blend it until it’s shredded. You can use any high-powered blender that can handle hard and dense ingredients like cooked meat.

We hope this article helped you learn how to make shredded chicken in a blender. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below.

Thanks for reading, and happy blending!