Yes, you can buy pre-shredded chicken at most grocery stores. Shredded chicken is a convenient way to add protein to meals without having to cook and shred a whole chicken yourself. There are a few options for purchasing shredded chicken:
Rotisserie Chicken
Many grocery stores sell whole rotisserie chickens that are already cooked. You can purchase one of these chickens and shred the meat yourself to get shredded chicken. A standard rotisserie chicken yields about 2-3 cups of shredded chicken meat. The advantages of this option are that rotisserie chickens are often loss leaders for grocery stores so they are very affordable. Shredding the chicken yourself allows you to control the size of the shreds. The downside is that you have to do the shredding which takes time.
Pre-Packaged Shredded Chicken
Grocery stores sell pre-shredded chicken in the refrigerated or frozen sections. This chicken is already cooked and shredded so it saves you time and effort. The chicken is usually boiled or roasted and then shredded into bite-sized pieces. Brands like Tyson and Perdue are common. The chicken may come seasoned or plain. Some advantages of pre-shredded chicken are:
- Convenience – no prep or cooking required
- Uniform shred size
- Long shelf life for frozen varieties
Some drawbacks are:
- More expensive per pound compared to shredding your own
- Can have added salt, fillers, and preservatives
- Less control over texture and shred size
Pre-packaged shredded chicken costs around $3-6 per pound.
Deli Shredded Chicken
Many grocery store deli departments offer freshly shredded chicken you can purchase by the pound. This option gives you freshly shredded chicken convenience without having to buy a whole package. The deli chicken is usually boiled and shredded daily. The upside to deli chicken is you can purchase the exact amount you need. The downside is that it tends to be the most expensive option per pound. Deli shredded chicken costs around $6-9 per pound.
Canned Chicken
Canned chicken has already been cooked and shredded. Rinsing the chicken will remove some of the salt and liquid. Canned chicken will have a softer texture than rotisserie or deli chicken. Premium brands like Wild Planet have better flavor and texture since the chicken is steamed instead of pressure cooked. Canned chicken is one of the more affordable options at around $2-3 per 5oz can.
Making Your Own
You can poach or bake boneless, skinless chicken breasts to shred yourself. While this requires hands-on cooking time, you control the flavors and texture. It also yields chicken shreds at the best value. You can season and cook the chicken based on your taste and needs.
Buying Shredded Chicken for Meal Prepping
Shredded chicken is great for meal prepping. Here are some tips for buying shredded chicken with meal prepping in mind:
- Look for plain, unseasoned varieties you can customize for different recipes.
- Prioritize frozen or canned for longer shelf life.
- If buying refrigerated, make sure to use within 3-5 days.
- Purchase in larger bulk packages for meal prepping multiple meals.
- Compare cost per ounce/pound to find best value.
- Look for all natural and organic if you want to avoid additives.
How to Use Shredded Chicken
Shredded chicken is versatile to use in all types of cuisines and dishes:
- Salads – Chicken salads, taco salads, chef salads
- Wraps and sandwiches – Shredded chicken wraps, BBQ chicken sandwiches, chicken melts
- Soups – Chicken noodle soup, chicken tortilla soup, chicken and rice soup
- Casseroles – Chicken enchiladas, chicken pot pie, chicken casserole bakes
- Nachos and tacos – Chicken nachos, shredded chicken tacos
- Pizzas – BBQ chicken pizza, buffalo chicken pizza
- Pasta dishes – Chicken alfredo, chicken & broccoli ziti
- Rice bowls – Chicken fried rice, chicken burrito bowls
- Quesadillas and enchiladas – Shredded chicken quesadillas, chicken enchiladas
Shredded chicken is ready to eat cold in salads, sandwiches, and wraps. It also cooks up quickly in soups, pastas, and casseroles. Adding flavorful sauces and seasoning allows you to customize it for any cuisine.
Conclusion
Pre-shredded chicken offers a quick and easy way to prepare delicious chicken meals. While you pay a bit more for the convenience compared to shredding your own, the time savings and ease of use are worth it for many home cooks. Grocery stores provide a variety of options from ready-to-eat deli chicken to frozen bags ideal for meal prepping. Look for versatile plain shredded chicken without too many additives so you can customize it for recipes. With its adaptability and nutritional benefits, shredded chicken is great to keep stocked in your fridge or freezer.