A few pantry staples and 5 minutes of hands-on kitchen time is all you'll need to make this easy Air Fryer shredded chicken. This tender, juicy chicken comes out perfect every single time, can be used for your tacos, wraps, sandwiches, salads and so much more.
If you enjoy meal prepping as much as I do, you're going to LOVE this recipe. And while you're at it, also check out my homemade cheese tortellini recipe that is an absolute game-changer.
I have to admit, I'm one of those people who always thought that the Air Fryer was overrated. That was until I got my hands on one. And once I began using it, there was no going back.
I've used it to make my snacks like air fried Buffalo chicken tenders to my pantry essentials like Air Fryer tortilla strips and Air Fryer crispy noodles. And this time, I thought of trying the classic rotisserie-style shredded chicken using it.
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What's So Great About the Recipe?
My favorite part about this Air Fryer shredded chicken recipe is how ridiculously easy it is. It's fast (faster than using your oven for sure), cheap (cheaper than store-bought rotisserie chicken), better for you, and needs minimal effort.
Plus, you can batch-make and store it for later too- just like my homemade spicy Italian sausage.
Recipe Ingredients
Chicken: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts here. You can use chicken thighs if that's what you prefer.
Seasonings: I kept it simple and just used some garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. You can use an Italian mixed herb seasoning or even some lemon pepper seasoning if you want to.
Oil: Any cooking oil will do. Choose an infused oil like garlic rosemary infused oil for better flavor. I love using my habanero oil for a spicy kick.
See recipe card for quantities.
This compact air fryer handles any culinary challenge. Customize cooking time and temperature with the digital touch screen display or use one of four preset functions for quick, one-touch meals. Perfect for serving 2-4 people
Substitutions & Variations
- Choose an infused salt instead of regular salt for extra flavor. Choose from homemade jalapeno salt and Sriracha salt if you prefer a kick of heat, or stick to the classic mixed herb salt, celery salt or garlic parsley salt if you want something subtle.
- Want the chicken to have a fruity, lemony flavor? Use lemon infused oil and some citrus infused salt to season the chicken.
- Looking for something simple? Just coat the chicken in some mustard (I love using my Chinese hot mustard), taco seasoning or Creole seasoning before you air fry it.
How to Make Air Fryer Shredded Chicken
Step 1: Start by pat drying the chicken to remove all the moisture.
Step 2: Layer the chicken into the greased Air Fryer basket. Season with the seasonings of your choice.
Step 3: Drizzle some oil over the chicken and rub it all over.
Step 4: Air fry the chicken for about 15 minutes or until it is tender but cook. Remove in a bowl and shred with two forks.
💭Top Tip
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken and make sure it is well cooked.
How to Store the Leftover Shredded Chicken
You can store your leftover Air Fryer shredded chicken for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Make sure you use a clean, airtight container for storage.
You can also freeze the leftovers if you want them to last longer. Use a freezer-safe container to prevent freezer burn, and thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before you use it for your recipes.
Signature taco seasoning blend of onion, garlic, chili pepper and oregano.
Tips & Tricks to Nail the Recipe
- To ensure the shredded chicken turns out nice and juicy, avoid overcooking it.
- Check the chicken for doneness at the 10-12 minute mark. If it no longer looks pink in the center, it is safe to remove.
- Depending on what you're using the chicken for, you can even coat it in a spice mix or marinade before you air fry it.
- I like to use my homemade ginger garlic paste or garam masala powder or chaat masala when I'm using the shredded chicken for my Indian recipes.
- You may want to pound the chicken breast to get it to an even thickness.
- Make sure you flip the chicken over midway during the cooking time to get it evenly cooked on both sides.
- Avoid overcrowding the Air Fryer basket. I would ideally stick to 1-2 chicken breasts at a time, depending on how large the chicken breasts and your Air Fryer basket are.
- If you have a large chicken breast but you're short on time, you can chop up the chicken into medium chunks and then air fry them. This will cut down the cooking time.
- Always let the chicken rest for a few minutes before you shred it, but make sure you shred it while it is still warm.
How to Use Air Fryer Shredded Chicken
There are lots of ways to put your Air Fryer shredded chicken to use! I love adding it to my salad along with a drizzle of my lemon poppy seed dressing, and lots of greens.
You can also team it up with some steamed rice and a side of roasted veggies to make it a hearty and wholesome meal. This shredded chicken also turns out to be a splendid filling for your homemade tacos, burritos and wraps. Pair them with a nice Air Fryer roasted salsa to make it complete.
I also like to use it as a sandwich filling along with my sweet vinegar Coleslaw and my favorite avocado butter spread.
Recipe FAQs
It can take anywhere between 10-15 minutes for the chicken to cook in the Air Fryer. The time depends on the thickness of the chicken breast.
Transfer the leftovers to a clean glass bowl and cover the bowl with a damp towel before you microwave. This will help the chicken warm up again without drying out.
More Essential Recipes
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If you tried this Air Fryer shredded chicken or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Air Fryer Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken breast
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Start by pat drying the chicken to remove all the moisture.
- Layer the chicken into the greased Air Fryer basket. Season with the seasonings of your choice.
- Drizzle some oil over the chicken and rub it all over.
- Air fry the chicken for about 15 minutes or until it is tender but cook. Remove in a bowl and shred with two forks.
Notes
- To ensure the shredded chicken turns out nice and juicy, avoid overcooking it.
- Check the chicken for doneness at the 10-12 minute mark. If it no longer looks pink in the center, it is safe to remove.
- Depending on what you're using the chicken for, you can even coat it in a spice mix or marinade before you air fry it.
- I like to use my homemade ginger garlic paste or garam masala powder or chaat masala when I'm using the shredded chicken for my Indian recipes.
- You may want to pound the chicken breast to get it to an even thickness.
- Make sure you flip the chicken over midway during the cooking time to get it evenly cooked on both sides.
- Avoid overcrowding the Air Fryer basket. I would ideally stick to 1-2 chicken breasts at a time, depending on how large the chicken breasts and your Air Fryer basket are.
- If you have a large chicken breast but you're short on time, you can chop up the chicken into medium chunks and then air fry them. This will cut down the cooking time.
- Always let the chicken rest for a few minutes before you shred it, but make sure you shred it while it is still warm.
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