This is the foolproof way to make the JUICIEST Poached Chicken of your life. Anyone who wants a great chicken breast recipe that will always work should know about this one. You can use the chicken in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken, like salads, pies, wraps, and burritos.
I feel like poached chicken is a life skill that everyone should know. But depending on how it’s done, on the one hand it can be like chewing on chipboard: awfully dry, impossible to swallow, and tasteless.
On the other hand, the good hand, it’s unbelievably juicy and tender, with a chicken flavor you never thought possible. You can literally SEE the chicken juices sparkling on top of every slice.
OK, so let’s get straight to the point – how to make this poached chicken in a way that literally cooks itself, has a huge margin for error, and yields the most incredibly succulent poached chicken you will ever have in your life!
One of the fastest, easiest, and safest ways to cook moist, tender chicken breast fillets is to boil them. This easy way to cook chicken always turns out great, whether you’re making chicken salad stir fries or shredded chicken for tacos or burritos.
Grilling, pan-frying, or baking are also great ways to cook chicken breast, but high-heat dry cooking methods can make the breasts tough because they are very lean. Poaching or simmering the breasts in liquid keeps them nice and moist.
In this comprehensive guide, I will explain how to boil chicken breasts properly so they turn out juicy and flavorful. I’ll share tips on cook times, seasoning, shredding, storing, and how to use boiled chicken in recipes. Let’s get cooking!
How to Boil Chicken Breasts Step-by-Step
Boiling chicken breast requires just two easy steps – simmering the chicken gently in seasoned liquid until cooked through then shredding slicing or chopping the cooked chicken.
Step 1: Simmer the Chicken
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Place 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets (about 1 pound) in a skillet or saucepan. Add enough cold water or chicken broth to just cover the chicken.
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Season the poaching liquid with salt, whole peppercorns, herbs like thyme or oregano (fresh or dried), garlic and/or onion. Bouillon or chicken stock seasoning also adds great flavor.
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Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. As soon as it starts to boil, turn down the heat to low and keep it there.
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Partially cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until chicken registers 160°F internally.
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Remove chicken from poaching liquid and transfer to a cutting board. Loosely tent with foil and let rest 5 minutes.
Step 2: Shred, Slice or Chop
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Use two forks to shred chicken. Or slice or chop it into bite-size pieces.
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Use boiled chicken in salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, casseroles, soup and more!
And that’s it! This easy boiling method will give you juicy, tasty chicken breast that you can use in any recipe.
Poaching vs Boiling Chicken
There’s some confusion over the terms boiling and poaching. Technically, boiling refers to cooking in rapidly bubbling water at 212°F while poaching is gently simmering liquid between 160-180°F.
For chicken breast, you only want to boil the liquid until it reaches a boil, then immediately reduce heat so it poaches at a gentle simmer. Long boiling would make the chicken tough and dry. Short simmering keeps it tender and juicy.
How Long to Boil Chicken Breasts
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Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Simmer 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F
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Bone-in chicken breasts: Simmer 15-20 minutes until 165°F internal temperature
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Chicken tenders or nuggets: Simmer 5-7 minutes until no longer pink inside
Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness for food safety. If you don’t have one, nick the thickest part of the breast to check it’s cooked through.
Can You Boil Frozen Chicken?
It’s best to thaw chicken fully before boiling for food safety and even cooking.
If in a rush, place frozen chicken in a ziplock bag and submerge in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Defrosting in the fridge overnight is ideal.
Once thawed, do not refreeze raw chicken. Cooked boiled chicken can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 4 months.
Tips for Perfectly Boiled Chicken Breasts
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For extra flavor, use chicken broth, garlic broth or broth seasoned with bouillon to poach chicken.
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Slice chicken for sandwiches or salads, shred for chicken salad, tacos or casseroles, or chop into bites for pastas or stir fries.
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Let chicken cool before shredding – hot chicken is difficult to shred.
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Use a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment to quickly shred chicken.
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Add herbs, spices, garlic, onion, celery, peppercorns etc to flavor the poaching liquid.
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Store boiled chicken up to 4 days refrigerated or 4 months frozen.
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Defrost frozen chicken gradually in the refrigerator overnight before boiling.
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Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness – breasts overcook quickly.
How to Use Boiled Chicken Breasts
The possibilities are endless for using boiled chicken breast in recipes! Here are just a few delicious ideas:
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Chicken Salad – Shred chicken and toss with mayo, celery, onion, grapes, apple, pecans, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Scoop onto bread, lettuce or crackers.
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Chicken Tacos – Warm tortillas, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, avocado, shredded chicken, cheese, salsa and sour cream.
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Chicken Caesar Salad – Chopped romaine, boiled chicken slices, parmesan, croutons and creamy Caesar dressing.
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Chicken Casserole – Mix boiled chicken with sauce, vegetables, rice, pasta or potatoes. Top with cheese and bake.
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Chicken Soup – Shredded chicken, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, noodles or rice.
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Chicken Sandwiches – Chicken salad, sliced chicken or chicken nuggets on bread, buns or wraps with toppings.
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Chicken Stir Fry – Chopped chicken, vegetables and sauce served over rice.
However you use it, boiling chicken breast is a fast and easy cooking method that guarantees tender, juicy chicken for any recipe!
How to poach chicken
- Use 250g / 8. 5 oz chicken breast that’s boneless and skinless.
- Put it in boiling water, cover it, and take it off the stove right away.
- For 20 minutes, or up to an hour, is fine. Then take the chicken out and slice, dice, or shred it.
- Get ready for SHOCK when you taste how juicy the breast is!
Barely cooking right?? *She says, smugly*
It’s not on the stove. You don’t need a thermometer. You can just walk away and leave it, knowing that it will be fine for up to an hour. I have done this many times, falling into a deep state of relaxation because I trust this recipe so much!
What to make with Poached Chicken
- Add into a pasta or rice salad;
- Soups: Add protein to soups or use instead of chicken in recipes (except for those where the chicken is cooked and the flavor of the broth comes from that). Here are some suggestions:
How to Boil Chicken Breast | The Right Way!
FAQ
How long should you boil a chicken breast?
To properly boil chicken breasts, you should simmer them for 10-15 minutes for boneless, skinless breasts, or 25-30 minutes for bone-in breasts, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Do you put chicken in before or after the water boils?
It’s generally recommended to put the chicken in the pot before the water boils.
Can I put raw chicken in boiling water?
Yes, you can put raw chicken in boiling water, but it’s generally recommended to start with cold water and then bring it to a simmer.
How long do I boil a chicken breast to shred it?
If you want to shred chicken breast, boil it for 12 to 17 minutes after the water boils, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Can You boil chicken breast?
Boiling chicken breast is an easy way to add healthy protein to your meals. You can boil the chicken plain or season your water for added flavor. The key is to let the chicken breast boil for long enough that it cooks all the way through.
How do you Cook boiled chicken?
Boil the chicken in some water and chicken broth in a pot then add onions, carrots, celery or whatever vegetables you’ve got. Spice with cinnamon, salt and pepper then boil chicken and simmer until cooked through. Time will vary depending on cuts and size. Use boiled chicken to prepare delicious sandwiches or stews.
What is boiled chicken?
Boiled chicken breast is an easy way to make chicken for meal prep, batch cooking, or to add to a casserole. Shredded chicken breasts are the ultimate protein for everything from salads to soups or even to add to a buffalo chicken dip! This chicken is super easy to make and comes out juicy and tender.