Place the chicken in a large pot or dutch oven with a lid. Add the garlic, salt, pepper, parsley and bay leaves. Pour the water on top of the chicken, making sure it is covered.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and let simmer until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F or is no longer pink in the center, about 8-15 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken breast.
Remove the chicken from the liquid and allow it to rest. Drain the liquid and store for another use.
Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes.
Shred the Chicken with Two Forks
Place the cooled chicken on a cutting board.
Hold one fork in each hand. Use one fork to hold the chicken steady and the other fork to gently pull and tear the meat into small, thin pieces.
Continue shredding until all the chicken is pulled apart to your desired texture.
Video
Notes
Storage: Store shredded chicken in a ziplock bag or a tightly lidded airtight container. Reheat shredded chicken in the microwave or in a skillet. For any reheating method, you can prevent dryness by adding water or chicken stock and covering will warming. Heat to 165°F.