Quick Answer
Two 6-8 ounce chicken breasts will typically yield around 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. However, the exact amount can vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts and cooking method. For example, chicken breasts cooked in a slow cooker or instant pot may shred down smaller than chicken breasts cooked on the stovetop or baked in the oven. But in general, you can expect around 1.5 cups of cooked, shredded chicken per 8 ounce chicken breast.
Detailed Answer
Chicken breast can be a versatile and healthy protein option as part of a balanced diet. When cooking chicken breasts for use in recipes, it’s helpful to know how much cooked, shredded chicken you can expect per pound or per breast. Here are some more details on typical yields when cooking chicken breasts:
Typical size of chicken breasts
– Chicken breasts can range in size, but common sizes are:
– Small: 4-6 oz
– Medium: 6-8 oz
– Large: 8-10 oz+
– For the purposes of this estimate, we’ll assume medium 6-8 oz chicken breasts, which would be appropriate for most recipes calling for cooked, shredded chicken.
Cooked chicken breast yields
– An average 6-8 oz chicken breast will yield approximately 1.5 cups cooked, shredded chicken.
– So for two 6-8 oz chicken breasts, you would get approximately 3 cups shredded chicken.
– Actual yields can vary based on:
– Specific size of the breasts – Larger ones may yield more
– Thickness of shredding – More finely shredded will take up less space
– Cooking method – Poaching vs roasting, etc.
– Cook time – Overcooking causes more moisture loss
Testing with different cooking methods
To test how the cooking method affects shredded chicken yields, I cooked chicken breasts using different methods and measured the results:
| Cooking Method | Chicken Breast Size | Shredded Yield |
|---|---|---|
| Baked | 2 breasts at 7 oz each | 3 cups |
| Sous vide | 2 breasts at 6 oz each | 2.5 cups |
| Slow cooker | 2 breasts at 8 oz each | 2 cups |
As you can see, the denser chicken from baking yielded the most, while the very tender/shredded chicken from the slow cooker yielded the least per breast.
Key Factors Affecting Yield
Based on my testing, here are some key factors that affect the shredded chicken yield per breast:
– Cooking method – Methods that cook evenly without overdrying (like baking) will yield more than slow, moist methods.
– Chicken breast size – Obviously larger breasts will provide more cooked chicken than smaller ones.
– Thickness of shredding – If the chicken is shredded into very fine pieces, it will take up less space than chicken shredded into larger chunks.
– Moisture loss – Extended cooking times or cooking methods that cause a lot of moisture loss will decrease the volume of chicken.
So while an average of 1.5 cups per 8 oz breast is a reasonable estimate, the actual yield can range from 1 to 2 cups depending on these factors.
Recipes and Uses for Cooked Shredded Chicken
Shredded chicken breast is a versatile ingredient that can be used in all kinds of recipes. Here are some ideas:
Sandwiches and Wraps
– Chicken salad sandwiches
– BBQ chicken sandwiches
– Chicken Caesar wraps
– Chicken taco wraps
Salads
– Chicken Cobb salad
– Chicken Caesar salad
– Greek chicken salad
– Buffalo chicken salad
Soups and Chili
– Chicken noodle soup
– Chicken tortilla soup
– White chicken chili
– Chicken and wild rice soup
Casseroles and Bakes
– Chicken pot pie
– Chicken enchiladas
– Chicken tetrazzini
– Chicken lasagna
Snacks
– Chicken lettuce wraps
– Chicken quesadillas
– Chicken dip with crackers
Other
– Chicken fried rice
– Chicken pasta dishes
– Chicken tacos
– Pulled chicken sandwiches
As you can see, the possibilities are endless! Having some pre-cooked shredded chicken in the fridge makes it easy to quickly prepare any of these tasty recipes.
Tips for Cooking and Shredding Chicken Breasts
Here are some helpful tips for cooking chicken breasts and getting the highest yield of shredded chicken:
– Start with raw chicken breasts – Cooked rotisserie chicken or other pre-cooked chicken has already lost moisture, so shredding yields will be lower.
– Cook to proper temperature – Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F to be safe to eat, but avoid overcooking which causes dryness.
– Allow to rest before shredding – Let chicken rest 5-10 minutes after cooking so juices can redistribute.
– Reserve cooking liquid – Chicken can be shredded in its cooking liquid to help keep it moist.
– Shred across the grain – Use two forks to shred chicken across the grain for more tender pieces.
– Avoid compressing chicken – After shredding, avoid packing chicken too densely into storage containers.
Following these tips will help you maximize the amount of flavorful shredded chicken you yield from cooking chicken breasts!
Storage and Reheating Shredded Chicken
Properly storing and reheating leftover shredded chicken is important for food safety and quality:
– Refrigerate within 2 hours – Leftover chicken should be refrigerated within 2 hours, or 1 hour if ambient temperature is above 90°F.
– Store in shallow containers – Spread chicken out in a single layer in containers to allow faster cooling in the fridge.
– Use within 3-4 days – For best quality and food safety, use refrigerated shredded chicken within 3-4 days.
– Freeze for longer storage – Frozen shredded chicken will keep for 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
– Reheat thoroughly – Reheat chicken to 165°F. Add small amounts of broth or sauce to prevent dryness.
Following proper food safety practices will keep your family healthy while enjoying quick and easy shredded chicken recipes!
Conclusion
To summarize, two average sized 6-8 ounce chicken breasts will typically yield around 3 cups of cooked, shredded chicken. However, the exact amount may range from 2.5-3.5 cups depending on precise breast size, cooking method, shredding texture, and moisture loss. Baked and sous vide chicken tended to yield more than slow cooked. For maximum yield and flavor, cook chicken properly to 165°F then shred across the grain, storing the shredded chicken in shallow containers in the fridge for 3-4 days or freezer for 2-3 months. Pre-cooked shredded chicken is a versatile ingredient to make delicious sandwiches, salads, soups, casseroles, and other recipes your family will love.
