Italian Shredded Chicken is a quick and easy weeknight meal! It’s made with just a few simple ingredients, and it’s packed full of flavor. This chicken is perfect for serving over pasta, rice, or vegetables.
Next time try Crockpot Chicken and Gravy - we love this meal!
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Why you'll love this recipe
✔️ Like the crockpot ravioli lasagna, this dump-and-go recipe is perfect for a busy day when you need dinner in a hurry.
✔️ The chicken is cooked in a delicious creamy sauce that's full of flavor.
✔️ This meal is budget-friendly and can easily be made ahead of time.
Ingredients
For the exact measurements, please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
- boneless skinless chicken breast or use chicken thighs if you'd prefer.
- block cream cheese
- milk or you can use evaporated milk as a substitute.
- cream of chicken soup
- envelope Italian salad mix (this is the dry powdered mix you use to make salad dressing, not a bottle of salad dressing mix.)
Instructions
This is an overview of the instructions. For the complete directions just scroll down to the bottom!
- Spray crockpot vessel with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place chicken breasts on the bottom of the crockpot.
- Cut cream cheese into 8 cubes. Place on top of chicken.
- Whisk together cream of chicken soup, milk and Italian salad mix. Pour over chicken and cream cheese.
- Seal crockpot, cook on low for 6-8 hours. When the chicken is fall apart tender, shred if desired. Garnish with flat leaf parsley.
- Serve over rice or pasta. Enjoy!
Equipment
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- slow cooker or crock pot
- knife
- medium bowl
- whisk
Italian Shredded Chicken FAQ's
I prefer to use chicken breast or boneless skinless chicken thighs instead.
The easiest way to shred chicken is to use two forks. However, you could also use a hand mixer.
You want to shred the chicken while it's warm. Cold chicken does not shred as well.
Things to know
- If you don't want to spray your slow cooker liner with nonstick cooking spray, you could use a slow cooker liner instead.
- If you want the chicken mixture to be thinner you can add a small amount of chicken broth to thin it out.
- Turn this crockpot chicken recipe into sandwiches by serving it on sub rolls with provolone cheese or a slice of swiss cheese.
If you'd like to make the Italian Chicken Recipe in the oven instead, check out How to Convert Slow Cooker to Oven.
Variations
- If you want to add more flavor to this creamy chicken dinner, add garlic powder, or use the zesty Italian dressing packet instead.
- Add a little spice to this delicious chicken by adding ¼ teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Instead of an Italian seasoning mix, you can also use a ranch dressing mix.
Storage
Refrigerate - Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days in the fridge.
Freezer - You can also freeze the leftovers for up to three months in a freezer-safe container.
Reheat - Reheat leftovers in a pot on the stove or in the microwave at 50% power for one to two minutes.
More slow cooker recipes
- Crockpot Crack Chicken is one of my favorite crock pot recipes, it's full of cheesy ranch flavor that the entire family will love.
- Crockpot Steak and Potatoes - this easy recipe is a hearty, comforting meal. You won’t believe how easy it is to make!
- If you are looking for another delicious dish to make in the slow cooker give this Crockpot Chicken and Gravy a try.
- Change up taco night with this Crockpot Chicken Taco Soup, it's a great recipe that even the picky eaters will enjoy.
- Crock Pot Ranch Chicken - another great meal that is terrific over mashed potatoes, rice or pasta - yum!!
Related recipes
- Are you looking for a creamy casserole to make on busy weeknights? If so, then this Chicken Noodle Casseorle is the next recipe that you should make.
- The next time you are in the mood for a slow-cooked chicken recipe, give this Crockpot Angel Chicken a try. It's one of the top fan favorite crockpot recipes!
- Add a little spice to your family dinner table by making this Chicken Spaghetti with Rotel. It's cheesy, creamy, and oh-so-delicious.
Serve Italian Shredded Chicken with
- Turn this simple recipe into an easy weeknight dinner by pairing it with this Fresh Steakhouse Salad.
- You can never go wrong with these Rolls from Frozen Bread Dough. Topped with garlic butter they are soft, and fluffy and are always a crowd-pleaser.
- If you are in the mood for some fresh yet flavorful vegetables then these Pan Roasted Vegetables are just what you are looking for. Give them a try tonight!
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If you love this recipe please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating!
Crockpot Italian Shredded Chicken
Ingredients
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast or use chicken thighs if you'd prefer
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- ½ cup milk
- 10.5 ounces cream of chicken soup
- 2 ounces Italian salad mix (this is the dry powdered Italian dressing mix, not a jar of salad dressing)
Instructions
- Spray crockpot vessel with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place chicken breasts on the bottom of the crockpot.
- Cut cream cheese into 8 cubes. Place on top of chicken.
- Whisk together cream of chicken soup, milk and Italian salad mix. Pour over chicken and cream cheese.
- Seal crockpot, cook on low for 6-8 hours. When the chicken is fall apart tender, shred if desired. Garnish with flat leaf parsley.
- Serve over rice or pasta. Enjoy!
Gail Plaskiewicz says
I don't like cream cheese but would love to make this recipe. How would ricotta work? I don't like yogurt either so that wouldn't a good substitute. Otherwise I want to make this.
Debra Clark says
Great question Gail. I haven't made it that way, but I would think it would be really good! Ricotta is so creamy and mild. Sour cream (if you like that) would be an option as well. But I'm thinking since yogurt isn't an option, that may not work either. Let me know what you decide and how it turns out, ok? Sounds great!
Debbie says
This Italian shredded chicken is so decadent, you'd never guess how easy it is to make. Thank you for this helpful recipe.
Bowl Me Over says
That's great Debbie, I hope you give it a try!
Alyssa says
This italian shredded chicken is a perfect weeknight meal. Easy and delicious!
Kristen says
Oooh, I bet that this shredded Italian chicken would be amazing in wrap!
Bowl Me Over says
It's amazing in a wrap or bun Kristen. Let me know what yo think of the recipe!!
Cynthia says
I am looking forward to making this italian shredded chicken, but I think I'll try the ranch dressing mix variation. My family loves all things ranch!
Brittany says
I can't believe how easy this Italian shredded chicken recipe is! It's perfect with few ingredients AND it's a crockpot meal!