Boiling frozen chicken tenders may seem counterintuitive, but it’s actually a quick and easy cooking method for getting dinner on the table fast. With just a pot, some water, and 15-20 minutes, you can cook frozen chicken tenders to juicy, tender perfection
I was skeptical at first too. But after trying it a few times, boiling frozen chicken tenders has become one of my go-to weeknight tricks. Here’s everything you need to know about how long to boil frozen chicken tenders.
Why Boil Frozen Chicken Tenders?
Boiling frozen chicken tenders offers several big advantages
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Speed – It’s faster than thawing the chicken first. No need to plan ahead and remember to thaw!
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Convenience – Boiling requires minimal hands-on time and effort. Just drop the chicken in boiling water set a timer and walk away.
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Safety – The boiling water quickly brings the chicken up to a safe internal temperature, ensuring any bacteria are killed.
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Flavor – Contrary to popular belief, boiling doesn’t have to sacrifice flavor. Adding aromatics to the cooking liquid infuses the chicken with taste.
How Long to Boil Frozen Chicken Tenders
In general, frozen chicken tenders take 15-20 minutes to cook through when boiling. The boiling hot water will quickly defrost the exterior while gently cooking the inside.
For best results, use a thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken is safe to eat once it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
If boiling larger, thicker frozen tenders, err on the longer side. And if boiling partially thawed or thin tenders, start checking earlier at around 12-15 minutes.
Pro tip: For extra assurance, boil a tester tender first to check the timing before adding the rest.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow this simple step-by-step guide for perfectly boiled frozen chicken tenders every time:
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Add aromatics – For flavor, add aromatics like garlic, onion, herbs, citrus, and spices to the cooking liquid. You can also use chicken broth.
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Boil the liquid – Fill a pot with enough liquid to submerge the tenders and bring to a rolling boil over high heat.
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Add chicken – Carefully add the frozen chicken tenders to the boiling liquid.
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Reduce heat & simmer – Once it returns to a boil, lower heat and simmer gently.
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Cook 15-20 minutes – Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until chicken registers 165°F.
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Check doneness – Double check the internal temp using a meat thermometer.
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Remove & drain – Remove chicken from pot and drain liquid.
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Serve! – Enjoy your boiled frozen chicken tenders immediately!
Tips for the Best Results
Follow these tips for maximizing flavor and texture when boiling frozen chicken tenders:
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Don’t overcook – Once chicken reaches 165°F, immediately remove it from the heat. Overcooking makes it rubbery.
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Simmer gently – Maintain a gentle simmer rather than a rapid boil for tender chicken.
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Use a thermometer – It’s the only way to reliably check doneness for safety and prevent overcooking.
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Rest 3-5 minutes – Letting the chicken rest after cooking allows juices to redistribute evenly.
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Season the liquid – Flavor the cooking liquid well for the most flavorful chicken.
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Cook same-sized pieces – Uniformly sized tenders will cook at the same rate.
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Prevent sticking – Gently stir a couple times and don’t crowd the pot.
Serving Ideas
Boiled frozen chicken tenders are extremely versatile. Slice, shred, dice, or chop the cooked chicken to use in:
- Salads
- Soups
- Tacos
- Wraps & sandwiches
- Pasta dishes
- Casseroles
- Stir fries
Or just enjoy the tenders as is with your favorite dipping sauces! Ranch, bbq sauce, buffalo sauce, and honey mustard are all tasty choices.
Is it Safe to Boil Frozen Chicken?
Yes, boiling frozen chicken is completely safe as long as the internal temperature reaches 165°F. In fact, starting with frozen chicken can help ensure even cooking. The boiling hot liquid brings the surface temperature up quickly for thorough, reliable cooking.
Just be sure to double check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer for safety and doneness. Do not rely solely on cook time, as thickness can vary.
Boiling vs Thawing Before Cooking
While boiling frozen chicken eliminates thawing time, some people prefer thawing first for better moisture retention and flavor.
Thawed chicken tenders will cook faster, in about 8-12 minutes by boiling. And the middle has time to gently come up to temp rather than cooking from frozen.
So boiling frozen chicken tenders is quick and convenient, but thawing first results in juicier, more tender and flavorful chicken. Both methods are safe though, so choose based on your timeline and priorities!
Freezing Leftovers
Boiled chicken tenders freeze remarkably well for grab-and-go convenience:
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Cool completely – Freeze chicken only once fully cooled after cooking.
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Portion – Separate chicken into desired portion sizes or meal-sized bags.
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Exclude liquid – Drain and pat dry chicken well before freezing.
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Use freezer bags – Pack chicken in freezer-safe zip top bags. Exclude as much air as possible.
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Label & date – Clearly label bags with contents and freeze-by date (3 months).
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Thaw safely – Thaw frozen chicken in the refrigerator, cold water, or the microwave on defrost setting before reheating.
More Quick & Easy Chicken Recipes
If you love quick chicken recipes, try these easy stove-top and oven methods next:
Boiling frozen chicken tenders with aromatics is an easy, reliable way to get dinner on the table fast any night of the week. In just 15-20 minutes, you can cook frozen tenders to juicy perfection.
Tips For Cooking Chicken From Frozen
Its super simple to cook chicken from frozen, but here are a few tips to help you with the process:
- Alter Cooking Time for Different Cuts: The cooking time will vary depending on the size and thickness of your chicken breasts. Larger ones will take longer to cook than smaller ones.
- Cook 2 Chicken Breasts at a Time: Like using larger chicken breasts, cooking more than 2 frozen chicken breasts will increase the cooking time. I usually cook 2 at a time for quicker and more even results.
- Use a Thermometer: I recommend using a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is fully cooked. The internal temperature should reach 165°F.
- Season Well: Frozen chicken can be bland, so dont forget to season it well before cooking! I use salt, but you can also add other spices or herbs for more flavor.
- Use Enough Liquid: Always submerge your frozen chicken completely in water or broth to ensure even cooking.
- Use Chicken Broth for Added Flavor: I have used water and chicken broth to boil frozen chicken lots of times. Chicken broth does add a little more flavor to the chicken, but either cooks the chicken just fine.
Can You Boil Frozen Chicken Breast Safely?
Cooking chicken breast from frozen is perfectly safe, so long as you do it correctly. The key is to cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This temperature stops the growth of harmful bacteria and makes your chicken safe to eat. I use a meat thermometer (one of my favorite kitchen gadgets) to ensure my chicken is cooked right.
How to Cook Frozen Chicken Tenders
FAQ
How long do you boil frozen chicken tenders for?
Boiling chicken tenders typically takes about 8 to 10 minutes. Bring your water to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and boil for about 10 minutes or if you have a thermometer, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). Let me know if you have any questions on this.
How long to boil chicken from frozen?
How long to cook frozen uncooked chicken tenders?
Frozen chicken breast tender grilling time is dependent on cut size and thickness. Chicken breast tenders should be cooked until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Frozen chicken takes about 50% longer to cook than thawed chicken, typically around 30-45 minutes.