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    Home » All recipes » Boiled Chicken Breasts Recipe

    Published: Sep 27, 2022 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links

    Boiled Chicken Breasts Recipe

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    This boiled chicken breasts recipe will show you how to boil chicken breasts that is tender, juicy, packed full of flavor, and delicious! What more? You get a flavorful chicken broth that can be used in cooking other dishes.

    Whether you're boiling chicken breast for shredding, cubing, dicing, or grilling, this post will show you how to.

    boiled chicken breasts served on a white plate.

    Boiled Chicken Breasts Recipe (How To Boil Chicken Breasts)

    This boiled chicken breasts recipe is the best! It's simple, quick, and delicious.

    It uses a few ingredients, it's healthy, budget-friendly, and can be made ahead. It is perfect for meal prepping and use in other dishes like shredded chicken, tacos, casserole, wraps, and sandwiches.

    Boiling chicken breasts is easy, and requires minimal prep. It's a one pot no stress, no-mess recipe. What's not to love about it?

    Chicken breasts are the leanest part of the chicken and are a good source of protein, iron, calcium, and several other vitamins and minerals. It is a favorite for most people because of its distinct flavor and its ability to absorb spices, making for tastier meal times.

    With this recipe, you will learn how to boil chicken breasts, storage information, tips, and more.

    This boiled chicken breast recipe is low carb, gluten free, and dairy free.

    It can also be used for frozen chicken breast although it takes a bit longer to cook it from frozen.

    Related: Boiled chicken thighs, Boiled chicken drumsticks

    boiled chicken breasts sliced on a plate.

    Ingredients

    The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Chicken breasts- Boneless skinless chicken breasts, bone in chicken breasts, or bone in skinless, or bone in skin on.

    Onion- Fresh onion works magic. I use brown onion but yellow, white, or red onions can be used.

    Parsley- A little goes a long way.

    Paprika

    Garlic

    Black pepper

    Salt

    Stock cubes- This adds to the flavor and also makes the broth tasty and flavorful.

    ingredients displayed.

    How To Boil Chicken Breasts

    Clean the chicken breasts

    Place the chicken in a pot.

    Add in the chopped onions, parsley, paprika, garlic, thyme, black pepper, stock cube or powder, and salt.

    chicken, spices, and herbs in a red pot.

    Pour in water to cover the chicken by 1 inch.

    Water added into the pot.

    Put the pot on heat and cook the chicken till it starts to boil then lower the heat and simmer the chicken till it's cooked tender and the internal temperature reaches 165F.

    Take the pot off the heat, remove the chicken from the broth and serve or shred, slice, cube, or grill.

    boiled chicken breasts in it's broth.

    Leave the broth to cool and store it for use.

    How Long To Boil Chicken Breasts

    How long to boil chicken breasts varies based on the size and the type of chicken breast. For example, bone in chicken breasts will take longer to cook than boneless chicken breasts and thinner pieces cook in a shorter time than thick pieces. Check the guide below for the cooking time:

    How long to boil boneless chicken breast

    Skinless boneless chicken breast boils quicker than bone in. Based on cooking on low heat after bringing to a boil, boiling boneless chicken breast takes 10-12 minutes.

    How long to boil chicken breast with bone

    Bone in chicken takes longer to cook than boneless chicken however the difference is usually about 5 minutes. How long to boil bone in chicken breast is 15-20 minutes. If cooking on low heat, it will take longer so might require adding couple of minutes.

    How long to boil chicken breasts to shred

    Shredded chicken is a useful ingredient for many quick meals or snacks like chicken soup, coleslaw, or breakfast burritos. Boiling chicken breast to shred requires it to be tender but not tough. It takes 10-12 minutes to boil chicken to shred. After boiling the chicken, remove it from the stock and place it in a bowl. Use 2 forks to shred chicken to pieces or use an electric hand mixer for easier shredding. Once shredded, use as desired.

    How long to boil chicken breast from frozen

    Boiling from frozen takes longer than boiling from fresh. The difference is usually about 5-6 minutes so how long to boil chicken breasts from frozen is 15-20 minutes.

    Chicken breast is boiled when it is fork tender, no longer pink inside, and the internal temperature is at least 165F when checked with a meat thermometer.

    Boiled chicken breasts served on a plate.

    What To Serve With

    Boiled carrots, boiled broccoli

    Spicy rice,

    Creamy tomato pasta

    Salad, Pan fried vegetables,

    Roasted baby potatoes, boiled potatoes

    How To Store

    To store boiled chicken, let it cool completely before packing it in a sealable container or Ziploc bag, then store it in the fridge or the freezer. It will keep well in the fridge for up to 5 days and the freezer for up to 6 months. 

    It can be reheated in the microwave when needed.

    To reheat it in the microwave: Place the chicken on a microwaveable plate, cover it, and microwave at high settings at 30 seconds interval till it is heated through.

    It can also be reheated on the stovetop by reboiling. To do this, add some water to a pot and let it rapidly boil then add the chicken and cover the pot with its lid. Cook for 2-3 minutes or till it's heated through. Take it out of the water and serve.

    You can use leftovers in stews, soups, pot pies, sandwiches, tacos, salads and wraps. You can also shred to use in pet foods.

    2 boiled chicken breast pieces on a plate with one sliced into smaller pieces.

    Tips For Boiling Chicken Breasts

    • If you'd like to reduce the cooking time, you can cut up the chicken breasts into smaller pieces before you boil. The smaller the chicken the quicker they cook.
    • You don't have to boil your chicken breasts with water alone. You can include already prepared chicken broth. If you're aiming for tangy, adding a teaspoon or two of lemon juice before boiling would be perfect.
    • Add enough salt to cook the chicken. The water should taste slightly salty to prevent bland cooked chicken. 
    • You can add vegetables such as celery and carrots to boil with the chicken.
    • Cover the pot while boiling the chicken to lock in flavor.
    • Cook chicken that is similar in size so they cook at the same time.
    • Water should cover the chicken by at least an inch.
    • Place the chicken in a single layer so they cook evenly.
    •  Use the broth to cook rice, and other meals to add flavor to the dishes. 
    • Ensure the chicken is well cooked before you consume it. To determine if it's cooked and safe to eat, use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature. If it is at least 165F/75C then it's safe to eat.

    FAQS

    Can you boil frozen chicken?

    Yes, you can boil frozen chicken. It takes a longer time to cook than fresh. To ensure it is cooked and safe to eat, check with an instant read meat thermometer. If the Internal temperature at the thickest part is at least then it is safe to eat.

    Why is my boiled chicken tough?

    If they are overcooked or cooked too fast chicken breasts becomes tough. Cook on medium heat for the above recommended cooking time to get tender chicken.

    Are boiled chicken breasts healthy?

    Yes, they are. Chicken are a good source of protein and nutrients. Boiling does not make use of oil so no additional calories unlike fried chicken.

    How do I know when chicken breast is done boiling?

    It will be tender, and a fork inserted will go in without resistance. Also, when checked with an instant meat thermometer, the internal temperature will be atleast 165F.

    Does bone in chicken takes longer to boil?

    Yes it does. For bone in chicken, add additional 5- minutes.

    boiled chicken breasts in it's broth.

    More Chicken Breast Recipes

    Pan fried chicken breasts

    Stovetop chicken breast

    Instant pot chicken breast

    Chicken tomato sauce

    Want more? Check these boneless chicken breast dinner ideas.

    More Boiled Food Recipes

    Boiled fish

    How to boil carrots

    Boiled broccoli

    How to boil potatoes

    Boiled sausage

    I hope you like this boiled chicken breasts recipe as much as we do. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave me a comment below. I love reading from you.

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    Boiled chicken breasts served on a plate.
    Print Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Boiled Chicken Breasts Recipe

    This boiled chicken breasts recipe will show you how to boil chicken breast that is tender, juicy, packed full of flavor, and delicious! What more? You get a flavorful chicken broth that can be used in cooking other dishes.
    Whether you're boiling chicken breast for shredding, cubing, dicing, or grilling, this post will show you how to.
    Prep Time3 mins
    Cook Time12 mins
    Total Time15 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American, British, International
    Keyword: boiled chicken breasts, boiled chicken breasts recipe, boiling chicken, boiling chicken breasts, how long to boil chicken breasts, how to boil chicken breast, how to boil chicken breasts
    Servings: 2
    Calories: 318kcal
    Author: Kemi

    Equipment

    • Pot

    Ingredients

    • 2 pieces Chicken breasts
    • 1 teaspoon Parsley
    • 1 medium Onion chopped
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Dried thyme
    • 1 Stock cube
    • ½ teaspoon Black pepper or to taste
    • Salt to taste
    • Water

    Instructions

    • Clean the chicken breasts
    • Place the chicken in a pot.
    • Add in the chopped onions, parsley, paprika, garlic, thyme, black pepper, stock cubes, and salt. Pour in water to cover the chicken by 1 inch.
    • Put the pot on heat and cook the chicken till it starts to boil then lower the heat and simmer the chicken till it's cooked tender and the internal temperature reaches 165F.
    • Take the pot off the heat, remove the chicken from the broth and serve.
    • Leave the broth to cool and store it for use.

    Notes

    • If you'd like to reduce the cooking time, you can cut up the chicken breasts into smaller pieces before you boil. The smaller the chicken the quicker they cook.
    • You don't have to boil your chicken breasts with water alone. You can include already prepared chicken broth. If you're aiming for tangy, adding a teaspoon or two of lemon juice before boiling would be perfect.
    • Add enough salt to cook the chicken. The water should taste slightly salty to prevent bland cooked chicken. 
    • You can add vegetables such as celery and carrots to boil with the chicken.
    • Cover the pot while boiling the chicken to lock in flavor.
    • Cook chicken that is similar in size so they cook at the same time.
    • Water should cover the chicken by at least an inch.
    • Place the chicken in a single layer so they cook evenly.
    •  Use the broth to cook rice, and other meals to add flavor to the dishes. 
    • Ensure the chicken is well cooked before you consume it. To determine if it's cooked and safe to eat, use an instant thermometer to check the internal temperature. If it is at least 165F/75C then it's safe to eat.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 318kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 54g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 160mg | Sodium: 774mg | Potassium: 1054mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 585IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 36mg | Iron: 2mg

    Did you make this recipe? Great! Rate it by clicking the stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and leaving a comment below. Don't forget to share this post with your friends, families, and also on your favorite Pinterest and Facebook groups.

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    Hello and welcome to my blog. I'm Kemi. Thanks for visiting. Stay a while, browse around, you will find easy delicious recipes.

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