This boiled chicken breast 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 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 and how long to boil.
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Why You Will Love This Boiled Chicken Breasts Recipe
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, casseroles, 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 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 tenders
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, 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.
How To Boil Chicken Breasts
Here's a step by step instructions on 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.
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 or shred, slice, cube, or grill.
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. 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 breasts
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 useful for 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's fork tender, no longer pink inside, and the internal temperature is at least 165F when checked with a meat thermometer.
What To Serve With
Boiled carrots, boiled broccoli
Salad, Pan fried vegetables,
Roasted baby potatoes, boiled potatoes
Storage and Reheating
To store, 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-second intervals 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 it to use in pet foods.
Helpful Tips
- 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 chicken breast 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 become tough. Cook on medium heat for the above recommended cooking time to get tender chicken.
Are boiled chicken breasts healthy?
Yes, they are. Chicken is 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 at least 165F.
Does bone in chicken take longer to boil?
Yes, it does. For bone in chicken, add additional 5- minutes.
More Chicken Breast Recipes
Want more? Check these boneless chicken breast dinner ideas.
More Boiled Food Recipes
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Recipe
Boiled Chicken Breasts Recipe
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 chicken breast 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
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.
The recipe is one of the Best I have tried. The chicken had great taste and very tender. Served with rice and very.
I tried this receipe and must say that the chicken was full of flavor. I served it with rice and peas and carrots. Will definitely be cooking it again
Thank you