How to Boil Chicken Breast Perfectly Every Time

Boiling chicken breast is one of the quickest, easiest and most foolproof ways to cook moist, tender chicken breast fillets. Whether you want to make chicken salad stir fries, or shredded chicken for tacos or burritos this simple cooking method yields perfect results every time.

While grilling, pan frying or baking are great options too, chicken breast is very lean and can easily dry out and become tough using high-heat dry cooking methods Poaching or simmering chicken breasts gently in liquid keeps them nice and moist

In this comprehensive guide, I will explain how to boil chicken breasts properly so they turn out juicy and flavorful. I’ll share tips on cook times, seasoning, shredding, storing, and how to use boiled chicken in recipes. Let’s get cooking!

How to Boil Chicken Breasts Step-by-Step

Boiling chicken breast requires just two easy steps – simmering the chicken gently in seasoned liquid until cooked through then shredding slicing or chopping the cooked chicken.

Step 1: Simmer the Chicken

• Place 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets (about 1 pound) in a skillet or saucepan. Add enough cold water or chicken broth to just cover the chicken.

• Season the poaching liquid with salt, whole peppercorns, herbs like thyme or oregano (fresh or dried), garlic and/or onion. Bouillon or chicken stock seasoning also adds great flavor.

• Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, immediately reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.

• Partially cover and simmer for 8-10 minutes, until chicken registers 160°F internally.

• Remove chicken from poaching liquid and transfer to a cutting board. Loosely tent with foil and let rest 5 minutes.

Step 2: Shred, Slice or Chop

• Use two forks to shred chicken. Or slice or chop it into bite-size pieces.

• Use boiled chicken in salads, sandwiches, wraps, pasta, casseroles, soup and more!

And that’s it! With this simple boiling method, you’ll have moist, flavorful chicken breast ready to use in any recipe.

Poaching vs Boiling Chicken

There’s some confusion over the terms boiling and poaching. Technically, boiling refers to cooking in rapidly bubbling water at 212°F while poaching is gently simmering liquid between 160-180°F.

For chicken breast, you only want to boil the liquid until it reaches a boil, then immediately reduce heat so it poaches at a gentle simmer. Long boiling would make the chicken tough and dry. Short simmering keeps it tender and juicy.

How Long to Boil Chicken Breasts

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts: Simmer 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 160°F

• Bone-in chicken breasts: Simmer 15-20 minutes until 165°F internal temperature

• Chicken tenders or nuggets: Simmer 5-7 minutes until no longer pink inside

Always use a meat thermometer to check doneness for food safety. If you don’t have one, nick the thickest part of the breast to check it’s cooked through.

Can You Boil Frozen Chicken?

It’s best to thaw chicken fully before boiling for food safety and even cooking.

If in a rush, place frozen chicken in a ziplock bag and submerge in cold water, changing water every 30 minutes until thawed. Defrosting in the fridge overnight is ideal.

Once thawed, do not refreeze raw chicken. Cooked boiled chicken can be refrigerated up to 4 days or frozen up to 4 months.

Tips for Perfectly Boiled Chicken Breasts

• For extra flavor, use chicken broth, garlic broth or broth seasoned with bouillon to poach chicken.

• Slice chicken for sandwiches or salads, shred for chicken salad, tacos or casseroles, or chop into bites for pastas or stir fries.

• Let chicken cool before shredding – hot chicken is difficult to shred.

• Use a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment to quickly shred chicken.

• Add herbs, spices, garlic, onion, celery, peppercorns etc to flavor the poaching liquid.

• Store boiled chicken up to 4 days refrigerated or 4 months frozen.

• Defrost frozen chicken gradually in the refrigerator overnight before boiling.

• Use an instant read thermometer to check doneness – breasts overcook quickly.

How to Use Boiled Chicken Breasts

The possibilities are endless for using boiled chicken breast in recipes! Here are just a few delicious ideas:

• Chicken Salad – Shred chicken and toss with mayo, celery, onion, grapes, apple, pecans, lemon juice, mustard, salt and pepper. Scoop onto bread, lettuce or crackers.

• Chicken Tacos – Warm tortillas, chopped tomatoes, shredded lettuce, avocado, shredded chicken, cheese, salsa and sour cream.

• Chicken Caesar Salad – Chopped romaine, boiled chicken slices, parmesan, croutons and creamy Caesar dressing.

• Chicken Casserole – Mix boiled chicken with sauce, vegetables, rice, pasta or potatoes. Top with cheese and bake.

• Chicken Soup – Shredded chicken, carrots, celery, onion, chicken broth, noodles or rice.

• Chicken Sandwiches – Chicken salad, sliced chicken or chicken nuggets on bread, buns or wraps with toppings.

• Chicken Stir Fry – Chopped chicken, vegetables and sauce served over rice.

However you use it, boiling chicken breast is a fast and easy cooking method that guarantees tender, juicy chicken for any recipe!

It’s generally recommended to put the chicken in the pot before the water boils.