This Crock Pot Zesty Shredded Chicken Recipe will become a staple in your recipe box! This delicious shredded chicken is perfect for chicken tacos, chicken salad or sandwiches and is a crowd favorite. Everyone always asks for the recipe for this shredded chicken!
Crock Pot Zesty Shredded Chicken
I have a confession…I don’t use my crock pot often. I know I know…it seems like everyone loves throwing a meal in there in the morning and having dinner ready for them when they get home, but I just don’t love it.
First of all, I never ever wake up early enough to prepare the crock pot before work. Second, I rather just make something “fresh” when I get home from work. But there are definitely times when a crock pot recipe is helpful and that is usually when I am going to a pot luck and need to bring something!
Watch this Recipe Cooked Step-by-Step
Grab these essentials from Amazon for this recipe:
- Crock-Pot 7 Quart Oval Manual Slow Cooker, Stainless Steel
- Chicken Shredder
- Large Oval Serving Platter
- Chili powder
This Crock Pot Zesty Shredded Chicken recipe is a take on a recipe I found online, Copycat Cafe Rio Chicken. I have no idea what Cafe Rio is since we don’t have any near us in the North, but this recipe had rave reviews so I had to try it! Chicken in the slow cooker can be so dry and bland but this recipe is SO juicy and has so much flavor!
How to keep chicken juicy in the slow cooker?
The secret is to really overdo the ratio of liquid to chicken. If you don’t have liquid, there is nothing to keep the chicken from drying out. Anytime you cook chicken in the crock pot, make sure to add liquid, even if it is just chicken broth.
The other trick for this recipe is to shred the chicken at least one hour before serving (I recommend this chicken shredder from Amazon). Let the shredded chicken sit in the juices on the keep warm function for at least an hour. It will soak up all the delicious dressing mixture and be so good!
What sauce are we making for this Crock Pot Shredded Chicken?
The sauce for this chicken is made up of zesty Italian dressing, ranch dressing mix, chili powder, and garlic powder. It’s truly a powerhouse of flavors! You do not need to add salt to this recipe. The ranch dressing mix has a higher sodium content.
The chili powder adds flavor, but does not make it spicy! It seems like a lot of chili powder, but it is super diluted in all the dressing that it doesn’t over power the chicken at all. If you like spicy, you could add a little cayenne powder when cooking.
Looking for more shredded chicken recipes?
Crock Pot Zesty Shredded Chicken
This easy chicken recipe will become your go to shredded chicken recipe!
Ingredients
- 3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 bottle zesty Italian dressing
- 1 packet dry ranch seasoning
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 cup water or chicken broth
Instructions
-
Add all ingredients to slow cooker and put on the lid.
-
Cook 6 hours on low, or until chicken shreds easily. Shred chicken and switch slow cooker to keep warm.
-
Let chicken soak in the juices for one hour before serving.
-
Serve on a bun, as a taco, or on a salad.
Why does cooking in the Crock Pot work so well for shredded chicken?
Hands-Off Cooking
With so much going on throughout the day, the crock pot lets me set the chicken and forget about it until it’s ready. The low, steady heat ensures the chicken gets cooked through without me having to hover over the stove.
Even Cooking
The crock pot’s gentle, consistent heat allows the chicken to cook evenly and thoroughly. This way, the meat stays moist and tender throughout, perfect for shredding later.
Infused Flavors
Cooking in a crock pot means the chicken gets to soak up all the delicious flavors from the seasonings, broths, and spices added to the pot. Every bite is flavorful and makes meal prep easier, especially when turning leftovers into tacos, salads, or soups.
Tenderizing Effect
The long, slow cooking breaks down the connective tissues in the chicken, making it fall-apart tender and easy to shred with just a fork.
Versatile Batch Cooking
Cooking a large batch of shredded chicken saves time for future meals. I can store extra portions in the fridge or freezer and quickly throw them into enchiladas, pasta, or rice bowls.
Healthy Option
I can control the ingredients and seasoning in the crock pot, ensuring the chicken is as healthy and clean as possible. It’s an easy way to have a lean protein ready for the family without extra oils or additives.
