Parboiling chicken before cooking is a great technique for ensuring moist, flavorful results every time. But exactly how long should you parboil chicken? The answer depends on a few factors. In this complete guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about how long to parboil various cuts of chicken.
What is Parboiling?
Parboiling refers to partially cooking food by boiling it briefly. When it comes to chicken, parboiling helps to cook the meat partially, while retaining moisture and flavor.
The parboiled chicken can then be finished off with other cooking methods like baking, grilling, frying etc Parboiling ensures the chicken cooks evenly, and turns out juicy and tender
Why Parboil Chicken?
Here are some of the benefits of parboiling chicken before cooking
- Retains moisture and prevents drying out
- Allows flavor to penetrate into the chicken
- Cooks evenly throughout
- Results in tender meat
- Crispy skin from grilling or baking after parboiling
How Long to Parboil Different Cuts of Chicken
The parboiling time depends on the size and thickness of the chicken pieces. Here’s a rough guide:
- Whole chicken: 30-40 minutes
- Chicken thighs: 8-10 minutes
- Chicken drumsticks: 8-10 minutes
- Chicken wings: 15-20 minutes
- Chicken breast: 10-15 minutes
- Chicken cutlets or tenderloins: 5-8 minutes
For bone-in pieces, parboil for slightly longer. Thicker cuts like whole chicken and large breasts need more time too.
A good tip is to begin checking early and continue parboiling until the thickest part of the chicken is no longer pink. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
For food safety, the chicken should reach 165°F (74°C) before removing from the pot.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps for parboiling chicken perfectly every time:
1. Choose Your Chicken
Pick the quantity and cuts of chicken depending on your recipe. Skinless boneless breasts, thighs, drumsticks all work well.
2. Add Chicken to Pot
Place the chicken pieces in a single layer in a stockpot or dutch oven.
3. Cover with Water
Add enough cold water to cover the chicken by 1-2 inches.
4. Season the Water
For flavor, add salt, whole peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, onions, celery etc.
5. Bring to a Boil
Heat on high until the water starts boiling vigorously.
6. Reduce Heat and Simmer
Once boiling, reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
7. Parboil for Time Recommended
Refer to timings above based on the cut of chicken. Check often toward the end.
8. Remove and Pat Dry
Take chicken out of the pot and pat dry with paper towels.
9. Finish Cooking as Desired
Use the parboiled chicken right away in recipes, or cool and refrigerate up to 5 days.
Tips for Parboiling Chicken
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Add aromatics like garlic, onions, herbs to the poaching liquid for extra flavor.
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Use broth instead of water for a flavor boost.
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Season the poaching liquid with salt, pepper, spices etc.
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Use a thermometer to check internal temperature.
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Pat chicken dry before using to help browning.
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Reserve poaching liquid to use as broth.
How to Use Parboiled Chicken
Parboiled chicken is versatile and can be used in many recipes:
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Bake or grill for juicy, flavorful meat.
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Fry into crispy chicken fingers or nuggets.
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Shred and add to soups, salads, wraps, tacos etc.
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Dice and use in casseroles or pasta dishes.
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Slice and use in stir fries or curries.
So next time you need a foolproof way to cook chicken evenly and keep it super moist, turn to parboiling. Follow the simple guidelines above on how long to parboil different cuts of chicken for perfect results every time. Happy cooking!
Can You Boil Chicken Thighs, Too?
I use this method most frequently for cooking chicken breasts, but you can also use it for cooking chicken thighs if you prefer.
- Boneless chicken thighs will take about 10 minutes to cook.
- Bone-in chicken thighs will take about 15 minutes to cook.
Cook as many breasts (or thighs) at once as you like. They cook best when in a single layer, so use a pan big enough to hold everything.
Add Flavor to Your Boiled Chicken
For seasoning the poaching liquid during cooking, I most frequently use peppercorns, bay leaves, lemon slices, and garlic. You could also think about using sliced ginger, sliced scallions, fresh rosemary or thyme, or orange slices.
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How to Parboil Chicken
FAQ
How long to parboil a chicken?
- 30 to 40 minutes for a whole chicken.
- 15 to 20 minutes for chicken wings.
- 10 minutes for chicken breasts.
- 5 minutes for chicken legs, thighs, or quarters.
Should you boil your chicken before grilling?
No, it is generally not recommended to boil chicken before grilling. While some people do it to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and juicy, it can negatively impact the texture and flavor.
How long to boil chicken until it falls apart?
Place chicken in a large pot with onion, carrots, celery, and peppercorns; add water to cover by 1 inch. Cover the pot and bring to a boil; reduce heat to a gentle boil and cook until meat falls off the bone, about 90 minutes. Remove chicken from the pot and let sit until cool enough to handle. Shred or chop meat.
How long can you par cook chicken?
No, never brown or partially cook chicken to refrigerate and finish cooking later because any bacteria present would not have been destroyed. It is safe to partially pre-cook or microwave chicken immediately before transferring it to the hot grill to finish cooking.