Keeping poached shredded chicken prepared and stored in the fridge is a nutritious and cost-effective solution for school lunch boxes. Check out our easy recipe for homemade poached shredded chicken that your children will love.
I love a BBQ Chook bread roll as it’s a quick and effortless lunch option for the family. However, they can be pricey and high in fat, so I’ve discovered a healthier alternative – poached shredded chicken. To save money, I buy a kilogram of chicken breast from the supermarket deli (it’s more affordable than pre-packaged meat) and poach and shred it for our sandwiches.
There is a few ways you can poach chicken:
- In a saucepan on the stovetop
- In the slow cooker
- Using the a thermomix
My preferred method is the slow cooker, it’s so much more tender and delicious with the vegetables.
Kat’s tip: Want the Thermomix version of this recipe? Find it here.
@theorganisedhousewife I’m making shredded chicken for easy lunches this week! #mealpreptips #schoollunchforkids #slowcookerrecipe @Breville Australia. ♬ Aesthetic - Tollan Kim
Having the chicken already cooked and shredded in the fridge is a healthy option for school lunch boxes, makes making sandwiches a breeze and is budget friendly!
I have poached shredded chicken in a variety of ways but this is an easy way to do it and is delicious. You can do it with 2 chicken breasts, or as many chicken breasts as your slow cooker will fit.
You can pull your chicken with 2 forks, but shredding it while still warm in the kitchen aid (or any brand) mixer is easier and shreds finer too.
Poached shredded chicken has a variety of uses – you can serve it with salad, in wraps and sandwiches, on pizzas and more. It can also be frozen and added to a pasta bake style meal for an easy dinner.
Slow Cooker Poached Chicken
Ingredients
- 2–6 chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 carrot, roughly chopped
- 1 celery stalk, roughly chopped
- 1 brown onion, roughly chopped
- 1 litre chicken stock
Instructions
- Add chicken breasts to slow cooker and season with salt and pepper.
- Add carrot, celery and onion and then pour over chicken stock.
- Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 4 hours.
- Remove chicken from slow cooker, discard vegetables and liquid.
- While chicken is still warm place in KitchenAid mixer (or any mixer), shred chicken on medium-high speed until shredded to your liking. Alternatively, shred breast with a fork.
- Set aside to cool.
- Refrigerate for 3-4 days.
Stove Top Poached and Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 2 garlic cloves
- small handful of your preferred herbs (I used basil)
Instructions
- Place 2 chicken breasts, garlic and herbs in a saucepan, cover with cold water
- Bring to the boil over medium-high heat
- Reduce heat to low, cover & simmer for a further 5-7 minutes
- Remove from heat and stand for 5 minutes
- Remove chicken from water
- While chicken is still warm place in KitchenAid mixer (or any mixer), shred chicken on medium high speed until shredded to your liking. Alternatively shred breast with a fork.
Swapping out your usual BBQ Chook for a healthier poached shredded chicken sandwich is a smart choice for both your waistline and budget. By purchasing chicken breast from the supermarket deli and preparing it using the poaching method, you can create delicious and nutritious sandwiches that the whole family will love.
