Whether or not to cook chicken before shredding it is a common question for home cooks and professional chefs alike. Shredding cooked chicken can be easier and faster than shredding it raw. However, cooking chicken first may result in a drier, stringier texture. There are pros and cons to shredding chicken before or after cooking. This article will examine the key factors to consider when deciding if chicken should be cooked first or shredded raw.
Factors That Support Cooking First
There are several potential benefits to cooking chicken fully before shredding it:
Easier Shredding
Chicken that is cooked through is softer and falls apart more easily than raw chicken. The fibers have broken down from the heat, making shredding require less effort. Using two forks or your fingers, cooked chicken should pull apart into stringy strands with ease. Raw chicken is more likely to remain in bigger, stubborn chunks even after extensive shredding attempts.
Faster Cooking
Shredding chicken when raw means the smaller pieces will then need to be cooked through. Depending on the recipe, that may require sautéing in a pan, baking, or simmering in a sauce or liquid to fully cook. Shredding cooked chicken skips this extra step, saving time in the overall cooking process. Especially for larger batches, pre-cooked chicken can be a more efficient choice.
Better Food Safety
Chicken cooked to a safe internal temperature helps reduce the risk of foodborne illness. Whole pieces of chicken need to reach 165°F internally to kill potential bacteria like salmonella.
Shredding while raw makes it harder to ensure each piece cooks through. Some shredded bits may end up slightly underdone. Cooking first guarantees no part of the chicken is exposed to contamination.
Factors Supporting Shredding Raw
However, there are also good reasons to shred chicken when it’s still raw:
Prevents Drying Out
The high heat of cooking can dry chicken out, especially the lean breast meat. Shredding while raw means the smaller shredded pieces won’t overcook. They have less time to lose moisture during the final cooking steps. The finished dish is more tender and juicy.
Better Texture
Along with moisture, raw shredded chicken retains its texture better. The muscle fibers don’t shrink and toughen as much. Cooked then shredded chicken can get stringy and mushy. Shredding before cooking leaves the chicken shreds plump and tender.
Infuses More Flavor
When chicken shreds cook in a sauce or liquid, they absorb more of that flavor. The sauce permeates every crevice and coats each shred fully. Shredding already cooked chicken makes the pieces less porous. Sauces and seasonings don’t penetrate into the chicken as well.
Some Recipes Require It
Certain recipes depend on shredding chicken while raw. This includes chicken salads, some soups, and dishes where the shreds cook gently in a sauce. Trying to use cooked chicken may overcook the shreds when finishing the dish. Starting from raw avoids this.
Guidelines for Deciding
So should you shred chicken before or after cooking? Here are some guidelines:
Consider the Recipe
Think about the finished dish and how the chicken will cook. Gentle cooking like simmering in soup or sauce does best with raw shreds. Dry heat methods like grilling, baking, or sautéing favor cooked chicken.
Factor in Time
Shredding raw chicken takes more time overall. If the recipe needs to cook quickly, shred cooked chicken. When time allows, shred raw for best moisture and texture.
Watch the Size
Raw shreds should be in smaller, consistent sizes to ensure even cooking. Shred cooked chicken into larger, rustic chunks since texture is less important.
Weigh Food Safety
Assess whether raw chicken carries risks for who will consume the dish. Cook to a safe temperature before shredding when serving groups at higher risk for illness.
Consider Your Skills
If you are an experienced cook, shredding raw chicken may be easier to manage. For beginners, pre-cooked chicken can prevent underdone chicken.
Example Recipes for Each Method
Here are recipe ideas showcasing benefits of shredding chicken both before and after cooking:
Raw Shredding
Chicken Noodle Soup
– Simmer raw shredded chicken gently in broth allowing it to cook through without drying out. Noodles and vegetables can cook right in the soup as well.
Fajitas
– Marinate raw chicken shreds in a Mexican-style marinade. Cook quickly over high heat in a skillet to sear and lightly char but not overcook.
Chicken Salad
– Use your favorite chicken salad recipe but substitute juicy raw shredded chicken. The mayo-based dressing will gently coat and moisturize the shreds.
Cooked Shredding
Quesadillas
– Shred rotisserie or baked chicken. Place into tortillas with cheese and crispy fillings like peppers and onions.
Casseroles
– Boil or bake chicken fully until no longer pink inside. Shred and mix into a casserole dish to bake topped with sauce and cheese.
Chicken Sandwiches
– Shred cooked chicken seasoned with your favorite spices or bbq sauce. Pile onto buns with toppings for hearty sandwiches.
Tips for Shredding Chicken
Follow these tips for easy, quality shredded chicken:
– Use breasts, thighs, or a whole cut up chicken. Dark meat shreds best.
– Remove skin first for smooth shreds.
– Chill chicken before shredding – cold chicken shreds easier.
– Use two forks or your fingers to pull chicken apart into strands.
– Cut any stubborn chunks into smaller pieces.
– Don’t over shred – keep shreds chunky.
– Add shredded chicken to sauces and dressings right away to maximize moisture.
– For raw chicken, shred into very small, uniform pieces no larger than 1/2 inch.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to shred chicken before or after cooking depends on the recipe, your skills, and preferences for texture and flavor. Both raw and cooked shredding have their place depending on the dish. Follow basic guidelines to determine when it’s best to shred chicken cooked or raw. With the right technique, you can end up with tender, juicy shredded chicken.