How long to boil chicken tenders is 10-15 minutes. Continue reading for seasoning options, pro tips, and answers to frequently asked questions about boiling chicken tenderloins.
These boiled chicken tenders are juicy and flavorful, and they can be baked, shredded, grilled, air-fried, or used in other recipes.
Boiled Chicken Tenders Recipe
This boiled chicken tenders recipe is simple and you get a soft, juicy, and flavorful chicken that you can serve as it is, use in other dishes like soups, and tacos, or bake, and air fry.
It is easy and quick, and it is ready in just 10-15 minutes making it a perfect recipe for when you want to make a quick yet tasty chicken.
I like to cook chicken tenders and use them in sauces, soups, and wraps. I also sometimes boil and bake then serve with rice or pasta. Yummy! It is versatile and you can use it in many different ways.
The good thing is you can boil chicken tenderloins from frozen or fresh and get the same delicious result. So no worries if you forget to take them out of the freezer.
Boiled chicken tenderloins is budget-friendly, and you can use any seasoning of your choice. This recipe makes use of a few simple ingredients that enhance the flavor of the chicken and these are pantry ingredients that are easy to come by.
This recipe is easy, quick, tasty, flavorful, and delicious. Let's get cooking!
Related: Boiled chicken breast, Boiled chicken drumsticks, Pan fried chicken tenders
Ingredients
Here are what you will need to make boiled chicken tenders:
Chicken tenders- These are also called chicken tenderloins. If you don't have these you can make similar by cutting boneless chicken breast into strips.
Paprika- I like to add this for a bit of color.
Onion- This flavors the chicken and it's important in this recipe.
Salt- For taste
Pepper- You can use black pepper, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, or any of your choice.
Curry powder- This is optional but i like to add a little bit for extra flavor.
The tools required are a pot for cooking, a Knife for cutting the onions, a Fork, and plates for serving.
How To Boil Chicken Tenders
Here's a step-by-step on boiling chicken tenders:
Clean the chicken then add them to a pot.
Pour in water to cover the chicken by at least 1 inch.
Add the paprika, parsley, curry powder, chopped onions, salt, and black pepper.
Cover the pot and cook on medium heat till it starts to boil then lower the heat and simmer chicken tenders for 8-10 minutes or till cooked.
Drain the broth to keep for use in other recipes.
Serve chicken tenders or use as desired.
How Long To Boil Chicken Tenders
This depends on factors such as the size of the tenders, and if they are fresh, or frozen. How long to boil chicken tenders is 10-15 minutes. This is based on following this recipe by cooking on medium to low heat and the quantity described.
Chicken tenders are cooked when they are cooked soft and juicy and there is no blood in them. The internal temperature will also be at least 165F.
If boiling it from frozen, add an extra 5 minutes so how long to boil frozen chicken tenders is 15-20 minutes.
Cover the pot when cooking to trap the flavor inside and also for quicker, even cooking.
Chicken tenders can be shredded, used in soups, tacos, grilled, air-fried, baked, or used as desired.
This cooking time also applies to chicken strips from boneless chicken breast.
How To Cook It In A Microwave
You can boil chicken tenders in a microwave. Here are the steps to take:
Add chicken breast tenders to a microwave-safe bowl.
Add water and the seasoning. The water should slightly cover the chicken in the bowl.
Cover and microwave on high heat for 8 minutes.
Check and if need be, continue to microwave at 1-minute intervals till it's cooked through and the internal temperature is at least 165F.
Drain the broth. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes then serve.
What To Serve With
I like to serve chicken tenders with spicy rice and air fryer vegetables. Some other foods you can serve it with are:
Rice options - Brown rice, basmati rice, rice and peas.
Potatoes- Onion Mashed Potatoes, cream cheese mashed potatoes, butter potatoes, pan fried sweet potatoes
Vegetables- Air fryer broccolini, air fryer baby carrots, oven baked vegetables, Mediterranean roasted vegetables, boiled carrots, boiled zucchini
Pasta- Boiled pasta, spicy pasta, lemon pasta
Others- Fried Yam, Fried plantain
How To Store
Let it completely cool then pack chicken tenderloins in a ziploc or an airtight container and put in the fridge where it will keep well for up to 3 days or store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
They can be reheated on the stove or in the microwave.
If microwaving, add them to a microwave-safe plate, cover, and microwave at high power settings for 1 minute and then 30-second intervals till they are heated through.
Pro Tips For Boiling Chicken Tenderloins
Here are the tips I follow that ensure the best boiled tenderloins:
- Use a big pot that will fit in the tenders and water. The tenderloins should be immersed in water by an inch for even cooking.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste. Some other seasonings I like to use are chicken seasoning, Italian seasoning, and Turkey seasoning.
- Add enough salt so the water so the chicken doesn't taste bland. The water should taste slightly salty.
- Let the chicken rest in the broth for 1-2 minutes before taking them out.
- Save the broth to use in other recipes that call for chicken broth.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Always properly clean tools that have come in contact with raw chicken.
How long does it take to boil chicken breast strips?
Chicken breast strips are similar in size to chicken tenderloins so they have similar cooking times. How long to boil chicken strips is also between 6-8 minutes. Cook them till the internal temperature is at least 75C/165F.
How to Shred Chicken Tenders
After boiling, let them rest for 3-5 minutes then use two forks to shred them into pieces. Use a fork to hold the chicken down, and the other to pull the chicken into shreds. You can also use a mixer or food processor to shred chicken tenders. Using a mixer or food processor is quicker and can shred large quantities easily.
More Quick Chicken Recipes
Air fryer thin sliced chicken breast
Chicken with bell peppers and onions
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Recipe
Boiled Chicken Tenders Recipe
Equipment
- Pot
- Tong or Fork
Ingredients
- 1 kg (2lb) Chicken tenders
- 1 small Onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Curry powder optional
- ½ teaspoon Parsley
- 1 teaspoon Black Pepper or to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Clean the chicken then add them to a pot.
- Pour in water to cover the chicken by at least 1 inch.
- Add the paprika, parsley, curry powder, chopped onions, salt, and pepper.
- Cover the pot and cook on medium heat till it starts to boil then lower the heat and simmer chicken tenders for 8-10 minutes or till cooked.
- Drain the broth to keep for use in other recipes.Serve chicken tenders or use as desired.
Notes
- Use a big pot that will fit in the tenders and water. The tenderloins should be immersed in water by an inch for even cooking.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste. Some other seasonings I like to use are chicken seasoning, Italian seasoning, and Turkey seasoning.
- Add enough salt so the water so the chicken doesn't taste bland. The water should taste slightly salty.
- Let the chicken rest in the broth for 1-2 minutes before taking them out.
- Save the broth to use in other recipes that call for chicken broth.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Always properly clean tools that have come in contact with raw chicken.
Nutrition
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