Recipes

Shredded Chicken The Best Recipes You Will Love

February 10, 2019 by Tiffany Davis Leave a Comment

Shredded chicken recipes are so versatile. You can make a simple shredded chicken recipe and then use it in all of these delicious dishes! So many shredded chicken recipes… so much time savings! Make your shredded chicken ahead of time and use it in some of the best recipes all week long. Or make a big batch of shredded chicken and freeze for later use.

Shredded Chicken Recipes You Will Love

Crock Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe

If I have the time I like to make my shredded chicken base in a slower cooker or crock pot. I find this makes the shredded chicken the most moist and tender. You can really use any chicken to do this but I do find it is faster to use boneless cuts of chicken (usually breast or thighs).

Easy Slower Cooker Crock Pot Shredded Chicken

Ingredients

3 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken breast or thighs
1 Cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth you can use water too in a pinch
1 Teaspoon Salt 2 teaspoons if using water instead of broth
2 Teaspoons Pepper
Other seasonings to your taste optional

Instructions

Put your chicken meat in the crock pot.
Add the broth of your choice or water.
Add your seasonings.
Cover and cook on low for 6 – 8 hours for best results. You can also cook on high for 3 – 4 hours if you need them faster.
Shred and use in your favorite shredded chicken recipes.

Instant Pot Shredded Chicken Recipe

You can make a fast and delicious shredded chicken in your Instant Pot too. I love that I can make a big batch of shredded chicken in a fraction of the time of the crock pot; so if I forget to start the slower cooker in the morning the Instant Pot will still rescue dinner! Not to mention I can make frozen chicken in the Instant Pot FAST!

Fast & Easy Shredded Chicken from The Instant Pot Fresh or Frozen

Ingredients

3 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken breast or thighs
1 Cup Chicken or Vegetable Broth you can use water too in a pinch
1 Teaspoon Salt 2 teaspoons if using water instead of broth
2 Teaspoons Pepper
Other seasonings to your taste optional

Instructions

Put all of your ingredients in the Instant Pot.
Secure the lid and make sure the vent is in the sealed position.
If you’re cooking fresh chicken you’ll set the Instant Pot to Poultry, High Pressure for 6 minutes.
If you’re cooking frozen chicken you’ll set the Instant Pot to Poultry, High Pressure for 11 minutes.
Once cooking is completed allow a natural release for 5 – 6 minutes and then do a quick release for the rest of the pressure.
Remove your chicken from the pot, reserve a 1/2 of the liquid if you want a more moist shredded chicken.

Stove Top Shredded Chicken Recipe

If you prefer you can make your shredded chicken on the stove top as well. This method isn’t as hands-off as the slow cooker or Instant Pot but you’ll still get great results.

A Simple Shredded Chicken Recipe on the Stove Top

Ingredients

3 Pounds Boneless Skinless Chicken breast or thighs
Enough Chicken or Vegetable Broth to Cover the Meat Entirely you can use water too in a pinch
1 Teaspoon Salt 2 teaspoons if using water instead of broth
2 Teaspoons Pepper
Other seasonings to your taste optional
Large Pot

Instructions

In your large pot add the chicken and liquad making sure the meat is entirely covered.
Bring it to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer for 8 – 10 minutes (chicken juices should run clear if fully cooked).
Drain the lidquid and your chicken is ready for shredding.

The Best Way to Shred Chicken

There are several ways you can shred your chicken!

The 2 Fork Method – Using 2 forks you simply pull them across the meat in opposite directions. Continue this process until the chicken is completely shredded to a consistency that works for your recipes.
Shredding Claws – Shredding claws are made specifically for shredding meat after cooking. The same principle as the 2 fork method but much faster and more efficient way of getting it down. The shredding claw are inexpensive, don’t require electricity and work well.
The Hand Mixer Method – Once I tried shredding chicken with a hand mixer I never used the 2 fork method again. This takes a fraction of the time and energy! Break up the chicken meat with your hands or a knife and place it in a large mixing bowl. You don’t have to break up the meat but I find less flies out of the bowl if you do. Put the hand mixer in and turn on low. Watch the magic happen in just seconds! If you have a stand mixer you can use that too with the paddle attachment.

Storing and Freezing Shredded Chicken

Shredded chicken can be made ahead of time for these awesome recipes. Make your chicken, shred and store in the refrigerator in a zip lock bag or vacuum sealed bag (my preference) for 3 – 4 days and can be stored in the freezer for up to 9 months. Thaw frozen shredded chicken in the fridge overnight.

Using Chicken From a Can

In a pinch you can use shredded chicken from a can in these recipes. I don’t find this to be the most cost effective choice and to me the flavor isn’t as good as home cooked chicken. But if you’re covering it with a sauce or using it in a casserole it should work just fine. Make sure to drain all the liquid out before using it!

Chicken Taco Tostadas Burritos & Bowls

I like to simply take my pre-cooked shredded chicken and toss it with a 1/2 jar of my favorite salsa, heat low to medium on the stove top then add the remaining salsa before serving. Add to your taco shells and top with cheese, sour cream, guacamole and lettuce. Delicious and couldn’t be easier.

BBQ Chicken Sandwich Recipe

The fastest way to make a pulled chicken sandwich is to take your warm shredded chicken and add a jar of your favorite bbq sauce. You might want to warm up the bbq sauce a bit too before tossing with the meat. But if you have time, make this fast homemade bbq sauce for your pulled chicken sandwiches!

Super Fast & Easy Homemade BBQ Sauce Ready in Minutes

Ingredients

2 cups ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon chili powder

Instructions

Whisk all the ingredients together in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Allow it to come to a bubble but not a hard boil.
Reduce your heat to a low simmer and let it cook until it thickens (10-15 mintues).
Use immediately or store in a mason jar in the refrigerator for up to 7 days.

Chicken Salad Recipes

Another fantastic way to use your shredded chicken is in a chicken salad. This is perfect for leftover chicken from the fridge! Here are some of my personal favorites!

Shredded Chicken Casserole Recipe

Who doesn’t love a great chicken casserole? Use your pre-made shredded chicken in these recipes for a quick and delicious dinner! You can take a couple cans of cream of mush room soup, heated, with shredded chicken, pour over pre-made rice and bake for 30 minutes for the fastest casserole ever!

No matter how you decided to use your shredded chicken, it is a great make-ahead option for many recipes and meals. How do you like to use shredded chicken?

Be sure to check out my other Instant Pot Recipes, Crock Pot Recipes and Roasted Chicken Thighs Recipe!

The Best Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

January 28, 2019 by Tiffany Davis 1 Comment

This is the best air fryer chicken wings recipe that I make. Fast to put together and I NEVER have leftovers. This is my salt and vinegar air fryer chicken wings and they are simply amazing. The best part about this air fryer recipe is you don’t have to worry about funking or unnatural ingredients!

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

This air fryer chicken wings recipe is only 3 or 4 ingredients and a whole lot less expensive than going out for restaurant wings. I love these salt and vinegar chicken wings and so does my family. I probably make these once a week or, at the very least, every other week.

What is An Air Fryer?

An air fryer really isn’t a “fryer” at all. Air fryers are more like mini convection ovens. Air fryers cook with hot air that circulates around the food. They generally cook faster than a conventional oven and give food a nice crisp outside (similar to frying but not greasy).

Air Fryer Cooking

Remember that hot air will moving around in the fryer during cooking so you don’t want to put in foods that are light weight and will be tossed around the basket during cooking (like shredded cheese). Also skip wet batters for the same reason – HUGE MESS.
So what CAN you cook in an air fryer? Meats do really well and that’s usually what I use mine for. I’ve been able to cook a frozen steak to a nice medium rare without defrosting it. I especially like this air fryer chicken wings recipe but any chicken will do well (I prefer bone-in / skin on). I also cook bacon, hot dogs, sausage links and hamburger patties in it.
You can definitely cook vegetables in you air fryer too! Check out these Air Fyer Brussels Sprouts! Of course french fries, tater tots and frozen onion rings will never be better than fresh out of your air fryer! But don’t forget to try this delicious squash medley in your air fryer! Oh and potatoes and yams will bake up like gems in your air fryer!
Frozen foods like pizzas (depending on size), chicken nuggets, fish sticks, hash browns, and rolls are better than ever.

What Air Fryer Should I Buy?

If you don’t already have an air fryer then you need to evaluate your needs. Are you single? A couple? Or a larger family? Air fryers come in a variety of sizes to meed your cooking needs BUT you also need to consider your counter or cabinet space for storing it when not in use. My air fryer never leaves my counter! I would suggest getting one that can get up to 400 degrees F for the best options in cooking. There are several brands I feel comfortable recommending:

Ninja Air Fryer – great capacity, slim on the counters and under $100 (this is what we have)
Dash Compact – perfect for 1 or 2 people, and easy on the budget
Phillips Turbo Star – larger capacity for families & known for even cooking
COSORI Air Fryer – Almost a 6 quart capacity and 1700 watts
Cuisinart Air Fryer / Toaster Combo – Great trusted brand and replaces your toaster oven too. It is offered in 2 sizes, a mini and a larger that can do a 4 lbs chicken or a 12 inch pizza!

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe

With all the amazing recipes you can make with your air fryer this air fryer chicken wings recipe may just turn out to be your favorite. When we used to eat out I loved going to wing restaurants that offered Salt & Vinegar Chickens Wings. Sure Buffalo wings are great but usually loaded with sugar (I’ve been Keto for 18 months so that’s a no-no for me).

I wanted to make my own natural Salt and Vinegar Chicken Wings and I can’t believe how simple they are to make in the air fryer. I can’t remember the last time we actually went to a wings joint (mine are better and all clean ingredients).

Air Fryer Chicken Wings Recipe for Salt & Vinegar Wings

Ingredients

2 lbs of Chicken Wing Pieces drums and flats separated
1 – 2 cups of Apple Cider Vinegar I recommend Braggs with mother
Himalayan Pink Salt to Taste
Black Pepper to Taste optional

Instructions

Put your wings in a large bowl.
Cover with the apple cider vinegar.
Make sure the wings are completely covered.
Put an air-tight lid on the bowl and put it in the fridge.
Let the wings marinate at least one hour. I prefer to do it the night before for a stronger flavor.
Once the wings are done marinating drain the vinegar and toss (do not reuse the vinegar!).
Toss the wings with the Himalayan pink salt and pepper, making sure all sides are covered.
Put half of the wings in the air fryer at a time. Leave the other half in the fridge until it is time to cook them.
The air fryer wings can be cooked on the “chicken option” or 380 degrees F for 25 minutes.
Remove the wings from the fryer and add the 2nd half and cook the same way.
Enjoy hot with ranch or blue cheese dressing and a fresh salad.
They are great cold the next day too.

Recipe Notes

Up the flavor and toss them with a little Parmesan cheese!

By the way, these air fryer wings are great cold the next day too.

I hope you enjoy these air fryer wings as much as we do. If you aren’t air fryer cooking yet…this recipe will get you going and loving it!

Next I’ll be showing you how to cook the perfect steak in an air fryer! Stay tuned.

Other Chicken Recipes You Might Like

Easy Slow Roasted Chicken Thighs
The Best Chicken Enchilada Recipe

How To Cook Rabbit And Love It

January 22, 2019 by Tiffany Davis 2 Comments

How to cook rabbit and love it! Yes, rabbit is delicious and can be prepared in a variety of ways. If you’re raising meat rabbits you’ll especially appreciate this post today. I know many people in the US have never consumed rabbit meat (which is a shame because its delicious). Some backyard farmers will start raising rabbits as a livestock before even trying the meat. I actually bought some expensive rabbit meat from a “fine grocer” before starting our meat rabbit journey. I figured I better know if we liked the meat first!

How To Cook Rabbit

Cooking rabbit is very similar to cooking lean meats like boneless / skinless chicken breasts or lean pork chops. I have, often, described rabbit meat as a cross between these meats in flavor and texture. Domestic rabbit may have a bit more fat on it than a wild one but not much. Like chicken and pork, rabbit meat will take on almost any flavor you season it with!

Thawing Your Rabbit Meat for Cooking

If you’re working with frozen rabbit meat you can thaw it safely, in 3 ways. NEVER thaw rabbit meat at room temperature!

The first way would be in your refrigerator which can take a full day to defrost and should be used within 2 days of thawing.
Another option is to defrost frozen rabbit meat in cold water. Make sure your rabbit is in a sealed bag and submerge it in cold water (never warm). You should change the water out every 30 minutes until thawed completely. The rabbit meat should be cooked the same day.
You can defrost rabbit meat in a microwave, though I would not recommend it.

How To Cook Rabbit – Baking and Roasting

When baking or roasting a rabbit you want to cook low and slow for the best results. The best temp for oven cooking is 325 F and you want the rabbit meat to reach an internal temperature of 160 F.

Baked & Roast Rabbit Recipes

How To Cook Rabbit in a Crock Pot

Rabbit meat will cook much like chicken in your crock pot. You can also substitute rabbit in most chicken recipes for your crock pot. This is a great method of cooking to add moisture to the rabbit while cooking and perfect if you want to shred it!

Crock Pot Rabbit Recipes

How To Cook Rabbit on the Grill

When it comes to cooking rabbit, grilling is a great way to add a rich flavor to the meat. Because rabbit is so low in fat you’ll need to watch your flame so it doesn’t get over cooked and dried out.

Grilled Rabbit Recipes

How To Cook Rabbit in the Instant Pot

Much like the crock pot you can cook rabbit meat in the Instant Pot with amazing results. I feel like the IP really infuses flavor into the rabbit meat and it won’t dry it out!

Instant Pot Rabbit Meat Recipes

Frying Rabbit Meat

One of my favorite ways to eat rabbit is fried. You can use any of your favorite fried chicken recipes. Good old fashioned way of cooking rabbit, for sure! Sure it up with a side of mashed potatoes and green beans for a real southern flair!

Rabbit Meat Casserole Recipes

Busy weeknights call for a good casserole recipe, right? Get your rabbit meat ready for these casserole recipes now!

Miscellaneous Rabbit Recipes

Cooking rabbit has endless possibilities here are MORE amazing recipes for you to try!

Need More Information on Raising Meat Rabbits?

If you are looking to raise meat rabbits and not sure where to start please see these auricles to get you going. Rabbit is a great, sustainable, livestock and perfectly suited for the small backyard farmer!

The Best Healthy Instant Pot Chili Recipe

January 19, 2019 by Tiffany Davis 4 Comments

The best healthy (Low Carb) Instant Pot Chili Recipe is one that I make on a regular basis at our house. This is the perfect winter recipe with a mound of cheese, green onions and sometimes a dollop of sour cream on top. We make this Instant Pot chili without beans because our family follows a Keto or low carb way of eating; you could certainly add beans to it if you prefer.

The Best Healthy Instant Pot Chili Recipe

The Best Low Carb Instant Pot Chili Recipe

If you don’t have an Instant Pot yet…what are you waiting for? An Instant Pot can save you time in the kitchen and makes food taste extra rich and delicious! We use our Instant Pot for everything from stew to pot roast to making hard “boiled” eggs.

My Instant Pot has become indispensable and never leaves my kitchen counter top. I even keep an extra, older model, in my pantry for meals that I want to make a main and side via Instant Pot. Some days I’m not sure how I got along without it. I still love my crock pot but the Instant Pot gives me great results in a fraction of the time!

I currently use the Instant Pot Ultra, 6 quart.
If you have a large family you may want to consider the 8 quart model and if you’re cooking for 1 or 2 people the 3 quart mini might be perfect.

More Instant Pot Recipes To Try

Perfect Instant Pot Roast Beef
Fast & Savory Instant Pot Stew
Mexican Shredded Beef Instant Pot Recipe
3 Minute Brussels Sprouts in the Instant Pot
Instant Pot Thanksgiving Recipes
How to Boil and Egg in Your Instant Pot

The BEST Healthy Keto / Low Carb Instant Pot Chili

Ingredients

2 pounds grass fed ground beef
1 pound Italian sausage
1 large yellow onion chopped
2 cans 28 oz. diced tomatoes (do not drain)
1 can 6 oz. tomato paste
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 yellow bell pepper chopped
2 cans 4 oz chopped green chilies
1 cup beef or chicken broth homemade bone broth is best.
¼ cup chili powder
2 tbl minced garlic
1 tbl Italian Seasoning
2 tbl ground cumin Cumin gives chili it’s smoky flavor
4 tsp hot pepper sauce less or optional if you don’t want a lot of spice
1 tsp sea salt
2 tsp ground black pepper
1 tsp cayenne pepper more if you want a bigger kick or omit for no kick

Instructions

Put your Instant Pot on the saute setting.
Add the ground beef, Italian Sausage and Onion to the pot.
Stir and cook until the meat is no longer pink and onion is translucent.
I do not drain the meat but you can if you prefer.
Now add the remaining ingredients.
Stir so that everything is fully incorporated.
Put on the lid and set for pressure cooking
Set your Instant Pot to manual, high pressure for 24 minutes.
Once cooking is complete allow the pressure to naturally release for 5 – 10 minutes, then do a quick release.
Dish into large bowls and top with shredded cheese and fresh green onions.
Other toppings to consider, chopped crispy bacon and a dollop of sour cream.

Serving Your Instant Pot Chili

I like to top my Healthy Instant Pot Chili with chopped bacon, a tablespoon of sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar and green onions from my garden. We serve it with a Keto Faux Cornbread (recipe coming soon) and a crispy green salad with our favorite Primal Kitchens dressing.
This Instant Pot chili is even better as a leftover and freezes up like a champ!

Why No Beans in Your Instant Pot Chili?

Our family follows a low carbohydrate / Keto way of eating. We don’t need or miss the beans (or their effects). I’ve served this at many family gatherings, church pot lucks, etc and not one person has complained about it not having beans! No one would really guess that it is Keto either. If your family prefers to have the beans you could add them in step 4 or have some on the side to add in to individual bowls.

Instant Pot Chili Recipe – Leftovers

We love to spoon this chili over some chopped hot dogs the next day. No bun needed but feel free to use them if you prefer. My husband like to cook up some fried eggs and top it with the leftover Instant Pot Chili and shredded cheese.

Instant Pot Resources

Do you use yours all the time are do you feel lost on how to use it? Here are some of my favorite Instant Pot resources for you to check out!

What are you favorite Instant Pot recipes? Here are a couple of my favorite cookbooks to check out!

Keto Instant Pot Cookbook – 130 Recipes!
Paleo Cooking for Your Instant Pot
Instant Pot Cookbook – 575 Traditional Recipes

Tasty Ways to Use Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes

December 22, 2018 by Tiffany Davis 2 Comments

Leftover Christmas ham can be used a ton of delicious recipes! I have been hosting Christmas dinner for 23 years. I love cooking up a huge ham with my family’s secret sauce. But I also make so many side dishes and goodies that there is always a good amount of leftover Christmas ham to be used up.

But I don’t worry about that anymore because I have collected and used so many amazing recipes now that I am able to use up all the leftover Christmas ham without making the whole family sick of it!

Leftover Christmas Ham 35 Recipes

I’ve listed 35 amazing ways to use your left ham from Christmas. The hardest part just might be picking which one to use!!! I typically can get 2 or 3 leftover meals out of my leftover ham; which is great because I don’t want to shop or cook much after the holidays.

FAQ About Leftover Christmas Ham

How long is leftover ham good in the refrigerator?

According to FoodSafety.gov most consumer-cooked hams (like pre-cooked spirals or sliced) can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 – 5 days after being removed from packaging and cooked at home.

Can I freeze leftover Christmas Ham?

Again, according to FoodSafety.gov a packaged, pre-cooked ham, that has been consumer cooked at home can be frozen for up to 2 months. Some uncured hams can go as long as 4 months.

Be sure to check the entire list for Ham Storage to make sure the exact time you can store or freeze your ham.

My Favorite Recipe for Leftover Christmas Ham

My favorite way to use our leftover ham is my grandmother’s ham and beans! It is a great, and yummy, way to use a lot of ham at once. And if you have your family staying with you after Christmas, this will still feed a large crowd. Serve it with leftover Christmas rolls, make some drop biscuits or whip up some cornbread.

My Grandma’s Best Southern Ham and Beans Recipe

This is a delicious budget-friendly meal. And if you have a big crowd, this recipe is easily doubled so everyone can enjoy it!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 3 hours

Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes

Servings 8

Ingredients

1 lbs of dry pinto beans or whatever bean you prefer
4 or 5 smoked ham hocks or use diced leftover ham, about 1/2 – 3/4 lbs should do it
1 large yellow onion chopped
2 – 3 teaspoons of black pepper
1 bay leaf optional
Salt to taste

Instructions

Wash the beans (you don’t have to soak them overnight with this method)
Put the beans, ham hocks, chopped onion, pepper and bay leaf in a large stock pot and cover with water.
Bring to boil and then turn down to a low simmer.
Cover and let simmer low for several hours.
Stir and check often – you may need to add a bit more water, but only enough to keep everything covered
Beans will be tender and the sauce will thicken up.
Break up the meat into the beans and serve in a bowl with warm corn bread.