Add the chicken breasts (or thighs) to the slow cooker. Sprinkle over the salt, pepper, garlic powder and lay over the bay leaf and butter.
Pour over the chicken broth.
Place the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4. If you use frozen chicken breasts, keep the lid on the entire cooking time and cook for 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high.
When the cooking time is done, drain off a majority of the chicken broth (save the broth if you are going to freeze the chicken), leave about a half cup in the slow cooker with the chicken. Shred the chicken with 2 forks or use a hand-held mixer and use the beaters on low speed to shred the chicken.
Use the chicken in your favorite recipe and enjoy. Refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Video
Notes
Freezing:If you want to freeze the chicken, place the chicken in ziplock bags or Tupperware, add a bit of the chicken broth to the chicken, this helps keep the chicken from getting freezer burnt. Freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the fridge for 24 hours before you need it. Heat thoroughly before serving.Can I double this recipe?Yes! There is plenty of room is a 6 quart crockpot to double this reicpe if you want to make a very large amount of shredded chicken. Doube all the ingredients. Cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 9 hours.Variations:
Buffalo - Add 1 cup of buffalo sauce to the chicken AFTER cooking for a spicy kick.
Mexican - Before cooking add one package of taco seasoning and 2 cans of Rotel tomatoes, omit the chicken broth.
Garlic Herb - Add two minced garlic cloves, one teaspoon oregano and one teaspoon basil at the beginning of the cooking time.
BBQ - Add 2 cups of barbecue sauce to the shredded chicken AFTER cooking.