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.
Ingredients
Method
- 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.
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Please leave a quick star rating.Ingredients
Method
- 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.
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Please leave a quick star rating.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.
21 comments
Shredding chicken in the thermo is the best! I use this trick all the time.
Nice and nifty!
How long do you find this lasts in the fridge before it starts to get funky?
Can you use frozen, shredded chicken on sandwiches or is the frozen best kept for things like pasta bake?
I use salt in my poaching water and save the water for stock – freeze in ice cube trays and use as needed.
you can also cook it in the slowcooker and shred when done with 2 forks, it just falls apart. freeze any extra for another week
Thanks for sharing your recipes. I have had my thermo mix for a week and love it!
I just cooked the chicken YUM!! I won’t be buying precooked from the supermarket again.
Shell 🙂
http://spectacularkidsminiplayscapes.blogspot.com.au/
I am using this trick all the time now! I am doing Michelle Bridges 12wbt and a lot of the wraps use chicken – I have poached in advance to avoid having to cook chicken breast every day 🙂
How long do you keep using the chicken from the fridge ?
Hi Natalie, i usually keep chicken in the fridge for about 2 – 3 days, no more. I am a bit funny with having it in there any longer.
Just made some of this for school lunches, it is so easy and so tasty. Will be doing this from now on instead of buying roast chicken. Thankyou
I am not a canner but I will become a Mason Jar salad queen So my question is, is it nessasary to vacuum pack or just store in the refrigerator? I know this is a 2-3 old posting
of these Mason Jar recipes, but please help.
I love your website and ideas. Thank you very much 🙂 Keep up the great work!
Poached some chicken last night and it is delicious! My kids love BBQ chicken sandwiches (with Avocado & mayo) this is so much cheaper and a much healthier option too! I used Tarragon, Thyme, Oregano & Parsley all from my garden and even managed to shred the chicken with my hand mixer! I have reserved the liquid in the fridge and will use it as a stock base for dinner tonight and maybe freeze the rest!
sounds absolutely delicious Therese.
Hi Katrina. Can you poach with chicken stock as well? First time cook.
You can add a cup or so to the water, will help to intensify the flavour, great idea 😉
The Thermomix takes quite a while to heat up water so if you use boiling water from the jug, it will only take 10 minutes to cook the chicken! Thanks for this recipe, I love it!
I love Poached Chicken…..Wonderful information, thanks for sharing.
Hello Thank You Very Much for a Post. I love Chicken… Chicken is My favorite dish. use this trick all the time. Nice information you provide. keep posting
I love the idea of poaching and shredding the chicken in the Thermomix but I can’t find the link to see the directions.