Air fryer shredded chicken is quick, convenient, and delicious! This easy 30 minute recipe shows you how to air fry and shred moist and tender chicken that tastes like it's been slow cooking all day. Enjoy pulled chicken as a satisfying main dish, or use in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken!
My other favorite chicken recipes are Buffalo chicken thighs in air fryer and absolutely delicious air fryer chicken yakitori.
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Shredded cooked chicken is such a tasty and versatile kitchen staple. It's a hearty protein that is perfect to cover in gravies and sauces, add to salads, load onto buns and wraps and tacos... There are just so many options! And this no-fuss air fryer shredded chicken recipe helps you to make a batch of fork-tender chicken in about 30 minutes.
Here we use a simple combination of quality olive oil and classic spices. Together the seasonings give the chicken breasts a wonderful savory and smoky flavor. So while, no, this recipe does not yield a pulled chicken like what you get from cooking meat in a smoker for hours - you still get that great shredded texture and bit of smokiness.
Using the air fryer ensures that the boneless and skinless breasts cook evenly on all sides. This will make the meat easier for shredding and of course taste the best. Plus, cooking in an AF frees up the stove and oven for making other dishes!
Keep reading for my foolproof step-by-step instructions and top recipe tips! You'll definitely want to keep a batch of pulled chicken on hand to use for quick dinners, meal preps, and lunches.
Recipe ingredients
- 2 Chicken Breasts: Boneless and skinless chicken breasts are lean, protein-rich, moist, and great for seasoning. The light flavor of the meat takes on the flavor of spices and marinades, making this a wonderfully versatile protein.
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil: A rich EVOO will hold seasonings onto the skinless chicken, and makes the meat extra juicy. Use a quality oil for the best taste.
- Spices: 1 teaspoon of salt, plus ½ teaspoon each of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and chili powder (optional). This combination is bold, savory, and delicious. It gives the pulled chicken a light smoked flavor, with no smoker needed!
How to make air fryer shredded chicken
Let's cook up some juicy and flavorful shredded chicken breasts using your air fryer, seasoned with a mix of spices. This is a simple recipe that’s perfect for a variety of dishes.
First, you need 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which should be about 1 pound in total. These will cook up nicely and be easy to shred after cooking.
Before you start with the chicken, turn on your air fryer and set it to 360°F. This lets it warm up so it’s ready to cook the chicken evenly and quickly.
Now, take the chicken breasts and pat them dry with paper towels. Removing the excess moisture helps the spices stick better and ensures the chicken will get a nice coating for more flavor.
Next, grab a small bowl and mix together your spices: 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon each of black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. If you like a bit of extra heat, add ¼ teaspoon of chili powder, but this is optional. This spice mix will give your chicken a deliciously savory and slightly spicy flavor profile.
Once your spices are mixed, rub the chicken breasts with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. This helps the spices adhere to the chicken and prevents it from drying out during cooking. Then, sprinkle the spice mix over the chicken, making sure it’s evenly coated on all sides. The olive oil will help the spices to stick to the chicken and also help to crisp up the outside a bit while it cooks.
Place the spiced chicken breasts in the basket of your air fryer. Try to lay them out so they’re not touching, allowing the hot air to circulate freely around the chicken for even cooking.
Cook the chicken for 10 minutes, then flip each breast over and cook for another 10 minutes (flipping is optional). You’re aiming for an internal temperature of 165°F, which ensures the chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat. Use a meat thermometer to check.
Once the chicken is cooked, take it out of the air fryer and let it rest for a few minutes. This helps the juices redistribute, making your chicken moist and tender. Then, when it’s cool enough to handle, take two forks (or your fingers, if you prefer and it’s not too hot) and shred the chicken into pieces. This shredded chicken is now ready to be used in tacos, salads, sandwiches, or any dish that calls for cooked chicken.
And that’s it! You’ve got a batch of deliciously seasoned, perfectly cooked, and easily shredded chicken breasts, all done quickly in your air fryer. Enjoy your meal prep!
Leftovers and reheating
Store air fryer shredded chicken in the air tight plastic or glass container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or air fryer. Optionally add some chicken broth the the chicken to keep it moist.
Expert tips
- Place chicken in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking. Avoid overlapping or stacking pieces.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking. This helps retain moisture, making it easier to shred.
- Use two forks to pull apart the chicken into shreds. Alternatively, you can use a hand mixer on a low setting to shred the chicken more quickly.
- If the chicken seems dry, add a little bit of the cooking juices (or a bit of broth) back into the shredded chicken to moisten it.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, the air fryer is great for cooking raw chicken! I suggest using a disposable basket liner to cut down on mess. Just be sure to add the parchment paper liner after preheating, right as you are adding the food to cook.
Rubbery chicken breasts are usually a result of them not being completely cooked. Check the temperature with an internal thermometer. If the chicken is not at least 165 degrees continue to air fry for a few minutes at a time, checking the temperature frequently.
Really, any method of cooking can dry out chicken. Lean chicken breasts in particular can become dry very easily. Usually the culprit of dry chicken is overcooking... Check the internal chicken of the temperature on the low end of the suggested cook time. Continue to cook only as needed until the meat reaches 165 degrees. Promptly remove the chicken from the air fryer.
Yes, it is just as easy to air fry shredded chicken from frozen! Increase the cook time by 5-7 minutes per side.
First, be sure to cool the cooked chicken so that it is safe to handle. Then use two forks working in opposite directions to shred the meat. You can also use your hands for shredding. But I personally recommend using kitchen-grade gloves.
Another easy way to shred cooked chicken is by using a hand mixer. Place the cooled breasts in a large bowl, and "beat" the chicken on low-medium. Have a towel handy and go slow... Things can get messy, but it is a fast and efficient method!
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Hope you will like this air fryer shredded chicken recipe as much as we do. Rate the recipe if you made it and leave a comment below if you have any questions or suggestions.
Recipe
Air Fryer Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder optional
Instructions
- Turn on your air fryer to 360°F to get it hot.
- Dry the chicken with paper towels. Mix all the spices in a bowl. Rub the chicken with olive oil, then sprinkle the spice mix over it so it's nicely coated.
- Put the chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook for 10 minutes, flip it, then cook for another 5 minutes or until it's fully cooked (when a thermometer says 165°F.)
- Take the chicken out and let it cool for a bit. Then, use two forks (or your hands if it's not too hot) to pull it apart into shreds.
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