Learn how to boil chicken breasts with this easy method for moist and tender chicken to use in various recipes!
Boiling chicken is an effortless and quick way to prepare juicy, protein-packed chicken that bursts with flavor. It is an easy process that is practically foolproof and requires only a few steps. When you’re finished boiling the chicken, you’ll have a large batch that you can eat whole or shred for meal prep purposes.
Personally, I find boiling chicken on Sundays to be particularly convenient. It’s an excellent option for busy weeknights when you need a quick and easy dinner idea. You can use the boiled chicken for soups, tacos, and numerous other dishes.
To get started, gather all the ingredients and follow the simple step-by-step instructions.
What You Need
- Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Desired herbs: (such as thyme, oregano, or parsley, I used thyme
- Chicken broth or water
- Celery stalk
- Onion
- Broth or water
How to Boil Chicken Breasts
- Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and cover with water or broth.
- Add the salt, black pepper, celery stalk, onion and desired herbs in the pot.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the chicken cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve as desired.
Note: you can also use other seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or paprika for more flavor.
How Long to Boil Chicken Breasts
- Fresh: 15-20 minutes
- Frozen: 20-30 minutes
Ways to Use Boiled Chicken
- Buffalo Chicken Dip
- Hot Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Chicken Taco Soup
Storing and Reheating
- To Store: Allow chicken to cool. Slice or shred and place in and airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- To Freeze: Allow chicken to cool. Slice or shred. Place in a freezer safe container or freezer ziploc bag and store in freezer for up to 2 months.
- To Reheat: If frozen, place in fridge to thaw overnight. Reheat in microwave to desired temperature.
FAQs
Can I boil frozen chicken breasts?
Yes, you can boil frozen chicken but will take longer to cook. Be sure to check internal temperature in the thickest part of the meat and it’s at 165 degrees F before removing.
Can I boil bone in chicken?
Yes, you can definitely boil fresh or frozen bone in chicken thighs. Cooking times will take longer and vary depending on how much chicken you boil.
Why is my boiled chicken tough?
Most likely you cooked your chicken too long is why it is tough.
Recipe
Boiled Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 4- 5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- ½ teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of your desired herbs such as thyme, oregano, or parsley I used thyme
- 32 oz chicken broth or water
- 1 celery stalk cut in half
- ½ onion pieces
- 2 cups broth or water
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and cover with water or broth.
- Add the salt, black pepper, celery stalk, onion and desired herbs in the pot.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and let simmer.
- Cover the pot with a lid and let the chicken cook for about 15-20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing or shredding. Serve as desired.
Notes
Nutrition Disclosure
Nutritional facts are estimates and are provided as a courtesy to the reader. Please utilize your own brand nutritional values to double check against our estimates. Nutritional values are calculated via a third party. Changing ingredients, amounts or cooking technique will alter the estimated nutritional calculations.
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