If you’ve ever found yourself wrestling with a roast chook, hands greasy, bits of skin everywhere, and still ending up with uneven chunks instead of that perfect, fluffy shredded chicken, you’re not alone.
But what if we told you there’s a better way—one that’s been hiding in plain sight behind the Coles deli counter?
Meet Ellie, a 22-year-old South Australian deli worker who’s become a bit of a legend online after sharing her ‘insider secrets’ for shredding roast chicken at lightning speed.
No fancy gadgets, no knives, and definitely no kitchen disasters—just a pair of gloved hands and a method so simple, you’ll wonder why you ever did it any other way.
The deli worker’s secret: Shredding like a pro
Ellie’s viral video has racked up more than 330,000 views, and for good reason.
She demonstrates the exact technique Coles deli staff use to transform unsold hot roast chickens into the cold shredded chicken you see in the deli fridge.
It’s a process repeated throughout the day, and it’s all about efficiency and safety. Here’s how the pros do it:
1. Double up on gloves
First things first—Ellie pops on two layers of gloves. Not only does this protect her hands from the heat, but it also keeps things hygienic.
If you’re trying this at home, a pair of kitchen gloves or even food-safe disposable gloves will do the trick.
2. Remove the skin
The skin comes off first. ‘You want to release some of the heat from the hot chicken, and we don’t want the skin in our shredded chicken,’ Ellie explains.
This step also makes the rest of the process less slippery.
3. Break it down, piece by piece
Using both hands, Ellie pulls the chicken apart. She starts with the breasts, lifting them off cleanly, then moves on to the drumsticks and thighs.
The trick is to use your hands to gently but firmly separate the meat from the bones.
4. Focus on the right meat
For deli-style shredded chicken, it’s all about the breast and thigh meat. Ellie notes that dark meat isn’t typically included, so she sets aside any pieces that don’t make the cut.
5. Check for bones
Before shredding, Ellie presses the chicken pieces onto a tray, using a pressing motion to reveal any stray bones.
This step is crucial—no one wants a surprise crunch in their chicken sandwich!
6. Shred with your hands
Finally, Ellie uses a squishing and kneading motion to pull the chicken apart into perfect shreds. No forks, no knives—just your fingers doing the work.
Why this method works
The beauty of this technique is its simplicity.
By using your hands, you have more control over the texture and can easily spot and remove any bones.
Plus, it’s much faster than hacking away with a knife and fork, and you end up with beautifully even shreds—perfect for salads, sandwiches, or a quick chicken pasta.
What happens to the rest of the chicken?
Ever wondered what happens to the bits that don’t make it into the shredded pile?
According to Ellie, Coles aims to extract about 450 grams of meat from each chicken, focusing on the best cuts.
The rest—bones, skin, and less desirable pieces—are discarded. It’s all about quality and consistency for the deli counter.
Is it cheaper to buy shredded chicken or a whole chook?
Ellie also breaks down the economics: a $12.50 roast chicken yields about 450g of shredded meat, which works out to roughly $27.80 per kilo.
Coles sells their shredded chicken for $27 per kilo, but often discounts it later in the day.
If you’re after value and don’t mind a bit of DIY, buying a whole chicken and shredding it yourself might save you a few dollars—and you get the bonus of extra bits for soups or stock.
Other shredding hacks from the community
Ellie’s video has inspired plenty of chatter online, with some viewers sharing their own shortcuts.
One popular tip: ‘Massage the chicken in the bag and it literally falls off the bone.’
Others admit they just enjoy watching the process, even if they have no plans to shred a chicken anytime soon!
Why shredded chicken is a game-changer
Shredded chicken is a kitchen staple for a reason.
Video Credit: @itsellieinthedeli / TikTok
It’s versatile, easy to portion, and perfect for everything from classic chicken sandwiches to hearty soups and salads. Plus, it’s a great way to use up leftovers and reduce food waste.
Your turn: Have you tried this hack?
Whether you’re a regular in the kitchen or simply curious about behind-the-scenes supermarket practices, it’s always interesting to see how everyday tasks can be made simpler with a little insider knowledge.
From deli counters to home kitchens, small changes in technique can make a surprising difference.
Have you ever tried shredding a roast chook this way? Would you give this method a go at home, or do you already have your own quick tricks for pulling meat off the bone? We’d love to hear your thoughts, tips, or even questions—feel free to join the conversation in the comments below.
Also read: Coles shoppers score free roast chickens—but there’s a catch
She should really be wearing a mouth mask as she is over the chicken and tray while dismantling the chook.
As for the left overs, skin and all, I’d like that carcass of back bone and ribs and dark meat and all the bones as it will made a brilliant rich tasty thick soup. The dark meat is often better tasting than the breast meat that tends to go dry. Plus the stuffing, great filling for a bread roll.
Very wasteful if it is going into the garbage when it could feed a family.
Actually if you are in Coles in that last few minutes and there are left over chooks, they will often mark them down to half price.
Instead of discarding the drumsticks, why doesn’t Coles offer them free with any deli purchase. I see this as a waste that is just plain lazy ans stingy. Can’t be giving the customer anything for free. I buy my shredded chook from Costco as well as their big, big BBQ chook. It’s like it’s too hard for them. If they don’t sell, then get rid of them, offer them as pet food, anything other than binning it.