Boiling Chicken: Minutes To Perfection

Boiling chicken is a quick and convenient way to cook chicken that can be used as an ingredient in a variety of dishes. The time it takes to boil chicken depends on the cut and size of the chicken. Boneless chicken breasts take 10-15 minutes to boil, while bone-in chicken breasts can take up to 30 minutes. Poaching chicken, which involves simmering instead of boiling, is another popular method that yields tender and juicy results. Poaching chicken takes around 8-15 minutes for boneless chicken and 15-20 minutes for bone-in chicken.

Boiling chicken breast: 8-15 minutes

Boiling chicken is a simple way to prepare chicken that's tender, juicy, and flavorful. It's a basic cooking method that yields delicious results and can be used in countless recipes. Here's a guide to boiling chicken breast in 8-15 minutes:

Preparation:

Firstly, you'll want to decide whether to use skin-on, bone-in chicken breasts or skinless, boneless chicken breasts. Skin-on, bone-in breasts will add extra flavor to your broth, but they will take longer to cook, around 25-30 minutes. For a shorter cooking time, opt for skinless and boneless chicken breast halves.

Boiling:

Place your chicken breasts in a pan. If you're using multiple breasts, ensure they are in a single layer, and it's okay if they overlap a little. You can add aromatics like onion, celery, carrot, ginger, and scallions to the pan for extra flavor. Cover the chicken with water or, for extra flavor, a broth or stock. Bring the liquid to a boil over medium-high heat.

Simmering:

Once the liquid is boiling, immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and let the chicken cook for around 8-15 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts. Thinner chicken breast cutlets will be ready in about 8 minutes, while larger breasts can take up to 15 minutes. You can check if the chicken is done by inserting an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the breast. It's ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C.

Resting:

Remove the chicken from the broth and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This step is important, as it ensures the chicken stays juicy and allows the juices to redistribute, making the meat tender.

Serving:

After resting, the chicken is ready to be served or used in other recipes. You can shred, slice, or dice the chicken as needed. Boiled chicken breasts are versatile and can be added to casseroles, soups, salads, sandwiches, and more.

Broth:

Don't discard the broth used for boiling! It will be infused with flavor and can be used as a base for soups, stews, or cooking rice or pasta. You can also freeze the broth in ice cube trays and add them to sauces or gravies for extra taste.

Boneless chicken thighs: 10 minutes

Boiling chicken is a great way to prepare the meat for a variety of dishes, from salads to sandwiches to soups and much more. It is also a hands-off method, allowing you to set a timer and let the stove do the work while you focus on other tasks.

When it comes to boneless chicken thighs, the boiling time is relatively short compared to other cuts. On average, it takes about 10 minutes to boil boneless chicken thighs. This is similar to the cooking time for thinner chicken breast cutlets, which are ready in about 8 to 10 minutes.

To boil boneless chicken thighs, start by placing the desired amount of chicken in a single layer in a pan or pot. It's okay if the pieces overlap slightly. You can add salt and any other seasonings you prefer at this point. Then, add water or broth to cover the chicken. If using water, it is recommended to add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt for every quart of water to enhance the flavour.

Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the liquid to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover the pan or pot, and let the chicken cook. For boneless chicken thighs, this should take about 10 minutes. However, it is always a good idea to check the internal temperature of the chicken to ensure it has reached 165°F, which is the safe temperature for consuming chicken. You can use a meat thermometer for this, inserting it into the thickest part of the meat. Alternatively, you can slice into the chicken to ensure it is cooked through. If it is not ready, continue cooking and checking every minute or so until done.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before shredding or slicing. This resting period helps retain the juices, keeping the chicken moist and flavourful.

Bone-in chicken thighs: 15 minutes

Boiling chicken is a great way to cook the meat without the need for oil, and it can be used in countless recipes. The cooking time depends on the cut of the meat, with bone-in chicken thighs taking around 15 minutes to cook.

To boil chicken, you should always start with cold or room-temperature liquid. Place the chicken in a large pot and pour in enough broth or water to cover the meat. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bring the pot to a boil, then immediately reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot and cook until the chicken is cooked through. The best way to check if the chicken is cooked is to use a meat thermometer, which should read 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the meat. If you don't have a thermometer, you can slice into the chicken to check that it is no longer pink. For bone-in chicken thighs, this process should take around 15 minutes.

It is important to note that a rolling boil can toughen the meat, so it is best to maintain a gentle simmer. Dark meat chicken, such as thighs, actually becomes more tender if you let it simmer longer. You can also add herbs and other seasonings to the poaching liquid to infuse the chicken with more flavour.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before shredding or slicing. This will ensure that the juices stay inside the meat. You can then use the boiled chicken in a variety of dishes, such as salads, sandwiches, soups, and more.

Bone-in chicken breasts: 20-30 minutes

Boiling chicken is a great way to cook chicken breasts without drying them out. It's a simple, hands-off method that yields tender, juicy, shreddable chicken that can be used in countless recipes.

When boiling chicken, it's important to note that the cooking time will depend on the cut and size of the chicken. Bone-in chicken breasts will take longer to cook than boneless chicken breasts. While boneless chicken breasts can be cooked in around 12 to 15 minutes, bone-in chicken breasts will take about 20 to 30 minutes.

To boil bone-in chicken breasts, start by placing the chicken in a single layer in a pan or pot. It's okay if the pieces overlap slightly. You can add salt and any other desired seasonings at this point. Then, add water or broth to cover the chicken. If using water, it is recommended to add 1 tablespoon of kosher salt for every quart of water to enhance the flavour.

Turn the heat to medium-high and bring the liquid to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan or pot. Let the chicken simmer until it is cooked through. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F in the thickest part of the meat. This can be checked using an instant-read thermometer. You can also cut into the chicken to see if it's cooked through. Towards the end of cooking, check frequently to avoid overcooking.

Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the liquid and let it rest for at least 10 minutes before shredding or slicing. This resting period ensures that the juices stay inside the chicken. You can then use the boiled chicken in various recipes, such as soups, salads, sandwiches, casseroles, and more.

By following these steps and allowing for the longer cooking time, you can successfully boil bone-in chicken breasts, resulting in tender and juicy meat that can be used in a variety of dishes.

Boiling frozen chicken: 18-25 minutes

Boiling chicken is a great way to cook chicken for use in countless recipes. It is a hands-off method that yields tender chicken that can be shredded, diced, or sliced. The time it takes to boil chicken depends on the cut and whether the chicken is fresh or frozen.

Frozen chicken takes approximately 50% longer to boil than fresh chicken. Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves take 12 to 15 minutes to boil when fresh, so boiling frozen chicken breasts of this type will take 18 to 22 minutes. If you are using bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, which take 30 minutes to boil when fresh, boiling frozen chicken of this type will take around 45 minutes.

It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Thinner chicken breasts may be ready in around 10 minutes, while larger breasts may take up to 15 minutes. The best way to ensure your chicken is cooked through is to use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.

To boil chicken, place the chicken in a single layer in a pan, adding salt and any other desired seasonings. Bring the water or broth to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Check the chicken frequently towards the end of the cooking time by inserting a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the meat. The chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. You can also slice into the chicken to check if it is cooked through. Continue cooking and checking every minute or so until the chicken is cooked to the required temperature.

Frequently asked questions