I discovered this trick on Pinterest a few years ago and have been using this method for “perfect shredded chicken” ever since. This one definitely falls under the “why didn’t I think of that?” category. But hey, at least SOMEONE did! And now all of us can benefit from it! So that’s why I’m posting it here, for those of you who haven’t yet been let in on the “secret.”
I decided to make Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas for dinner the other night, and since it calls for shredded chicken, I decided to snap a few pics while I was at it. I think the pictures speak for themselves, but just in case they don’t, here are the “directions.”
Scroll to the bottom of the post to see this genius tip in action on video!
Related: How To Make Flawless & Juicy Chicken Breasts Every Time
Cook your chicken as desired.
Place the hot chicken into the bowl of your stand mixer. (Be sure that your chicken is warm. Cold chicken is hard to shred.)
Related: 9 Brilliant Hacks That Will Make You Love Your Stand Mixer Even More
Using the paddle attachment, mix the chicken on medium speed for about 30 seconds, or until the chicken is shredded to your liking.
Related: The One Simple Fix You Need To Know If You Have A Stand Mixer
TADA! Perfect, Shredded. Chicken. You’re welcome. :-))
Now use as desired in your favorite recipes. I use mine in Chicken Enchiladas, Chicken Chili, Chicken Salad, Chicken Tacos, Chicken Sloppy Joes, Chicken Wraps, Chicken Soup…the list goes on and on!
What do you make using shredded chicken?
I discovered this method last year and have never looked back! I will never, EVER shred chicken with a fork again! I also make so many more recipes now that call for shredded chicken, because I know shredding it will be quick and easy!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You are wonderful…..What a lifesaver…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.AMAZING!! THANKS SO MUCH!! My husband prefers shredded chicken for casseroles but it’s such a pain to shred it using the old 2 fork method that I’ve stopped making it! This sounds fabulous!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.All I can say is Oh…….My……..Gosh. Where have you been all my life. Shredding meat is public enemy #1 in my kitchen, and its the only way my family will eat it. All hail Jillee the goddess of the world (bowing and revering).
Please log in or create a free account to comment.on the shredded chicken tip. I do not have a kitchen aid, i have tried a cheese shredder but it just made a huge mess. any other suggestions on shredding chicken faster?
thank you
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use my hand mixer to shred meat like this. I make shredded beef sandwiches, you throw a roast in the crock pot with a little water and Lipton’s Onion Soup mix, I turn it on low cook it all day, come home, get out my hand mixer, stick it in and shred up the beef. Serve it on a hamburger bun. I take this to parties, it is very popular.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a great idea! I love new ideas for a roast. Thanks for sharing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Genious! Why have I never thought of this? I will use this tip for sure!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wish I had thought of this! Those honey lime chicken enchiladas are DELICIOUS and we make them frequently. That will save a ton of time!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Oh, for the love of Pete! This simple idea could have saved me hours over the last 22 years!!! You better believe I’ll be letting my KitchenAid do the work from now on.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wonder if it will work on a Sunbeam counter top mixer?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this idea of using the paddle on my KitchenAide (my allttime favorite kitchen appliance!) and will pass along corresponding idea. I throw a family pack of boneless chicken breasts in my crockpot with 1/4 c. chicken broth and cook it overnight. The two ideas combines will leave you with a ton of shredded chicken with about 2 minutes worth of effort!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a great idea! I also use a blender with both the beaters on it when I make chicken salad! It comes out perfect!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Why is there not an email icon so I could forward this to someone? Why does everyone just assume everyone Tweets, is on Facebook or Pinterest? Love this idea.
Thanks
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Millie;
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just copy and paste the link to your email….
oops, there’s no such thing for the KitchenAid as a “paddle hook”. It’s either the “paddle” or the “hook”. I think you mean the paddle. Gotta get your terms straight, Jillee, or you leave us confused. A lot of sites make that same mistake, leave us wanting what you think is clear as a bell. A clear pic of the actual attachment you’re using would help, the pic you posted is at a wrong angle to show the attachment. TRULY LOVE YOUR SITE! I’m in here A LOT :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You said it all…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Question… what’s a “Paddle Hook” attachment? I have a professional grade KitchenAid mixer with the dough hook, paddle, and wire whisk attachments, but I don’t have a “paddle hook” attachment, and when I attempt to search the KitchenAid website for a “paddle hook” attachment, I get zero returns, so I’m not sure that’s the correct name for the attachment. Can you clarify as to whether you are talking about a certain type of dough hook or paddle attachment because I don’t believe a “paddle hook” actually exists.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I wasn’t sure which attachment either….but I was looking around and on the link for the garlic chicken puffs, it shows shredding the chicken in a kitchen aid mixer with a better pic of the attachment. It’s the same one that I use for making cookies. She calls it a cookie paddle on there. Hope this helps!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am fairly confident that she just means the paddle attachment.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.OMG you just became my new best friend…..can same process be used on pork/beef ect???
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This can be done with just a humble old handmixer as well. I currently am making the honey lime chicken enchiladas and cooked the chicken in the crockpot. When they were done I simply used the handmixer directly in the crockpot, mixed the first four ingredients with the chicken and let marinate in the crock. Worked just as well, took just as little time and I have even less clean up. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great to know since I do not have a KitchenAid. Thanks!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks!
This is helpful. I dont have a kitchenaid either.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.You can also do this in a Bosch, I use the wire wisks on mine. As long as the meat (roast, chicken, pork, etc.) is piping hot and fully cooked it will shred it for you in seconds. HTH someone!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thank you for the tip. I can’t wait to try it out. My only question is…what does a paddle hook look like? I’ve been able to find a dough hook or flat beater on KitchenAid (both of which I have). Could you take a picture of the one your using?
http://www.shopkitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances-1/attachments-%26-accessories-2/stand-mixers-3/102020003/
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Sorry, the link doesn’t take you right to the page with those attachments. It would be page five on that link.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Once I get a KitchenAid with a paddle hook I’ll go this route. For now I just use 2 dinner forks on a cutting board to shred. Takes a while and sometimes hurts my hands, but it gets the job done fairly quick and the meat stays pretty hot.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use my hand mixer the same way with cooked beef or chicken. I use it right in the crockpot.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What if you have an Oester Kitchen center and no paddles? I only have regular mixer “blades” “beaters”, etc,
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