Shredded Chicken

A lot of times a recipe will call for already cooked shredded chicken.  It is generally a major disappointment when I'm reading a recipe.  They always the recipe sound so quick and simple.  But if you don't have cooked chicken just laying around your house, it adds extra time and effort.

I'm going to share with you a quick and simple way to make a huge batch of shredded chicken that you can portion and pop in the freezer.  This way you will have chicken on hand for the next time some recipe tricks you into thinking it's a piece of cake.

Shredded Chicken

Ingredients

3 chicken breasts, I have used 5 in the past because that's what comes in the value packs at Stop and Shop

some garlic

maybe an onion

salt and pepper

water

1. Place the chicken in a large pot or dutch oven.  Pour in enough water to cover the chicken in the pot. Season with salt and pepper.  If you are using an onion or garlic plop those in now too.

2. Boil covered for about 20 minutes, until chicken is cooked through.  If you have a lot of chicken in the pot it might take longer, less chicken, shorter.  You get the idea this is not an exact science.

3. When the chicken is cooked through I'm going to tell you about a trick to shred it that will change your life.  Get out your stand mixer with paddle attachment.  Plop chicken in the bowl and turn on the mixer.  Voila! Chicken shredded right before your eyes!

I packaged my shredded chicken into 2 cup portions and popped them in the freezer.  Now I have 4 recipes worth of cooked chicken ready and waiting for me.