Cooking a whole chicken by boiling is one of the easiest, most foolproof ways to prepare this versatile ingredient. With just a pot, some water or broth, and a few seasonings, you can have tender, delicious chicken ready to use in under an hour.
But to get the best results when boiling a whole chicken, there are some key tips to follow. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to perfectly boil a whole chicken every time.
Why Choose Boiling?
There are several advantages to boiling chicken rather than roasting, baking, or grilling it:
-
It’s quick and easy – no need for fancy equipment. Just a large pot with a lid.
-
You can use frozen chicken without thawing first.
-
It infuses the meat with lots of flavor from the cooking liquid
-
You get nutritious homemade broth as a bonus.
-
Very little added fat is needed compared to frying or oven methods
-
When done properly, the meat turns out juicy and tender
With minimal hands-on time, boiling chicken delivers tasty, versatile meat for sandwiches, salads, casseroles, soups, and more!
Picking the Right Chicken
While any whole chicken can be boiled, opting for a smaller bird (3-4 pounds) will shorten the cooking time. You want one that will fit comfortably in your pot with room to spare.
Farm-raised, free-range, or organic chickens have the best flavor. Frozen chickens work just as well as fresh.
For the most tender meat, choose chickens with the skin and bones intact. The bones help retain moisture, while the skin prevents the meat from drying out.
Prep Steps
Before boiling, be sure to remove the giblets from the inner cavity of the chicken and discard or reserve for another use like making broth or gravy. Rinse the chicken under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off any excess fat.
Rubbing the skin with a little oil helps keep the skin from sticking to the pot. Season the cavity generously with salt and pepper. Stuffing lemon wedges and herbs like thyme, sage, or rosemary inside further boosts the flavor.
Choosing Your Liquid
The cooking liquid is key for infusing flavor into the meat as it boils. Water is sufficient, but chicken or vegetable broth will make it even tastier. Here are some tips:
- Use low-sodium broth and add salt to control seasoning.
- Add whole garlic cloves, quartered onions, celery, and halved carrots.
- Fresh herbs like parsley, bay leaves, thyme, oregano, or basil complement the chicken.
- Whole peppercorns, allspice berries, or fennel seeds also add interest.
Step-By-Step Boiling Process
-
Place the seasoned chicken in a large pot. A 6-8 quart size is ideal. Add your choice of cooking liquid to cover the chicken by 1-2 inches.
-
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Let the pot reach a full rolling boil. Skim and discard any foam that rises to the top.
-
Reduce heat, cover, and simmer. Lower the heat to maintain a gentle simmer. The liquid should bubble slightly.
-
Cook for 30-45 minutes. Exact time depends on size. Check doneness at 30 minutes.
-
Verify doneness. Insert an instant-read thermometer into the deepest part of the thigh. It should read 165°F when done.
-
Remove from heat and transfer to a platter. Use tongs for easy lifting. Tent foil to keep warm.
-
Allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving or shredding. This allows juices to redistribute.
Always wash hands, utensils, cutting boards, and counters after handling raw chicken to avoid cross-contamination.
Ensuring Tender, Moist Meat
With the simple boiling method, overcooking dry, rubbery chicken is always a risk. Here are some useful tips:
-
Maintain a gentle simmer — don’t actually boil the chicken.
-
Use a thermometer and don’t rely only on timing.
-
For boneless chicken, cut down boiling time by 5-10 minutes.
-
Let it rest before slicing for juices to reabsorb.
-
Serve with pan sauces for extra moisture.
Using the Leftover Broth
One bonus of boiling chicken is you’re left with tasty homemade broth. Here are some ways to use it:
-
Store in the fridge for up to 4 days or freeze for later.
-
Use as the base for chicken noodle soup or chicken rice soup.
-
Cook rice, quinoa or veggies in it for extra flavor.
-
Use for sauces or gravies that call for chicken broth.
-
Turn it into a delicious soup with veggies, noodles and seasonings.
-
Let it reduce to make rich chicken demi-glace.
Serving and Storage Tips
-
Carve or shred the chicken and serve it warm right away with sides like rice, beans, or steamed veggies.
-
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
-
Use in casseroles, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and soups throughout the week.
-
Slice or dice and freeze portions in freezer bags for up to 3 months.
So that covers everything you need to know to master boiling whole chickens! Follow this simple, foolproof process for tender and flavorful meat every time. Let us know how it turns out!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy: Not only is boiled chicken healthy, juicy, and delicious, but you can use it in so many different ways. Try it in my shredded chicken tacos or crack chicken casserole.
- Multiple Uses: You can use the tender chicken and delicious broth in multiple recipes. With this simple recipe you will be able to make so many things with it!
Ingredients You Will Need
Besides the whole chicken and spices, feel free to throw in any veggies that you may have in your fridge! They become so delicious when they cook in the chicken’s natural broth. For exact measurements, check out the recipe card below.
- Bone-In Whole Chicken: The chicken I used was about 6 pounds. You may need to adjust the cooking time a little depending on the size of the chicken you use.
- Yellow Onions: Chopped yellow onions are a must-add for any hearty dish.
- Whole Carrots: Cut into 2-inch pieces. Is there anything better than chopped carrots that have been cooked in broth? They’re so tender and flavorful!
- Celery Stalks: These also become nice and tender when cooked. Stews and roasts are the best way to get your daily dose of veggies.
- Whole Garlic Cloves: For a punch of savory flavor.
- Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs is a no-brainer. They add the best flavor and aromatics! I used fresh parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
- Salt: Help to boost the flavors of the boiled chicken.
- Whole Peppercorns: Adding these in is another great way to flavor the chicken.
WHOLE BOILED CHICKEN | CHICKEN BASICS
FAQ
How long does it take to boil a whole chicken?
A whole chicken typically needs to boil for 60 to 90 minutes, depending on its size.
How long does it take to boil chicken thoroughly?
Thinner chicken breast cutlets are ready in about 8 minutes. Larger chicken breasts can take up to 15 minutes. Large bone-in chicken breasts will take about 20 minutes.
Can you overcook chicken when boiling?
Leave your chicken to simmer in the pot until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit (this can be checked with a meat thermometer). If your chicken seems to need more time, check every 5 minutes and avoid overcooking so the chicken doesn’t become rubbery, according to Delish.Sep 7, 2023
How long do you boil a whole chicken?
You only need to boil a whole chicken for about one hour and fifteen minutes. A lack of seasoning can make the chicken taste bland. So, don’t forget to add salt, pepper, and other spices to your chicken. Boiling on high heat can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, which may burn the chicken.
Should you boil chicken?
Boiled chicken may sound boring, but its beauty is in how basic it is: Boiling (simmering, really) yields perfectly tender chicken that can be used in countless weeknight dinners. My foolproof guide for boiling chicken will be the saving grace of meal-preppers everywhere: It makes it easy to get tender, juicy, shreddable chicken.
What is boiled whole chicken?
This boiled whole chicken recipe is easy, quick and so simple that even a beginner cook can perfectly make it. The whole chicken is boiled in flavorful juice to produce moist, juicy, tender, and delicious meat. This is an inexpensive and budget-friendly method of cooking whole chicken. It is simple and minimal prep is required to make it.
How long does it take to boil a frozen chicken?
1 1/2 hours to boil a 3 – 4 lb defrosted whole chicken. Larger than 4 pounds, add an additional 15 minutes per pounds. How to boil a frozen whole chicken add 15 minutes to the total cooking time as well. It is done when you pull on the leg bone and it slides right out.
How long does it take to cook a whole chicken?
When it is cooked, take the chicken out of the broth. Leave it to rest for 10 minutes before serving it. You can go ahead and bake, broil or grill the chicken. To boil whole chicken that is 1.2 – 1.5kg, it will take 45 minutes. If you will be shredding the chicken, you can add additional 5 minutes so it’s very tender and quick to shred.
How do you know if boiled chicken is done?
How to check doneness: If you’re in doubt, you can always insert an instant-read thermometer into the middle of the meat. As soon as it reads 165 ° F, the chicken is done. Rubbery chicken is a sign of overcooking. Here are a few tips to keep boiled chicken tender: Temperature: Don’t allow chicken to boil over high heat.