Cooking chicken to the point where it literally falls off the bone is easier than you think With just a few simple tips, you’ll have deliciously tender pulled chicken in no time.
Why Fall-Off-The-Bone Chicken is So Tasty
When chicken is cooked until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender, it becomes incredibly moist and flavorful. The collagen in the chicken breaks down, leaving you with succulent meat that shreds easily. It’s perfect for soups, sandwiches, tacos, casseroles, and more.
Fall-off-the-bone chicken is great for busy home cooks. You can boil a batch on the weekend to use throughout the week in quick weekday meals. Kids love pulled chicken too, so it’s an easy way to get picky eaters to eat a healthy protein.
How Long Does it Take to Boil Chicken?
The exact boiling time depends on a few factors
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Size of chicken breasts – Larger breasts take longer. Smaller cutlets may only need 10-12 minutes.
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Amount of chicken – The more chicken you add to the pot, the longer it will take. Boiling 1-2 breasts won’t take as long as 6 chicken breasts.
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Bone-in or boneless – Chicken on the bone takes longer to cook through. Boneless breasts cook faster.
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Temperature – Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F-175°F.
For 1-1.5 pounds of boneless, skinless chicken breasts, the boiling time is typically 15-20 minutes.
To ensure the chicken is fully cooked, use a meat thermometer. This takes the guesswork out of knowing when the chicken is safe to eat.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps for tender pulled chicken every time:
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Add chicken – Place boneless, skinless chicken breasts in a pot and cover with water or chicken broth. Make sure the chicken is fully submerged.
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Boil – Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat. Then reduce heat and simmer until cooked through.
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Check temperature – Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. It should read 165°F-175°F when done.
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Drain and shred – Drain the chicken and place it into a mixing bowl. Use two forks to shred the chicken until it falls apart easily.
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Flavor as desired – Mix in barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, salsa, etc. The cooked chicken will soak up the flavors.
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Serve or refrigerate – Pulled chicken is now ready to serve. Or store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Tips for Super Tender Chicken
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Use bone-in chicken thighs for even more flavor and moisture during boiling. Debone before shredding.
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Add herbs, garlic, onion, and lemon to the poaching liquid. This infuses the chicken with extra flavor.
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Don’t overcook the chicken. It will dry out. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
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Chill the chicken in the fridge in the poaching liquid. This keeps it extra moist.
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Use low sodium chicken broth instead of water for a more savory flavor.
Common Questions
How long should I boil chicken to shred it?
For 1-1.5 pounds of boneless chicken breasts, boil for 15-20 minutes until cooked through and tender. Larger pieces take longer.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes, boiling is a great way to cook frozen chicken breasts. Just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
What temperature should boiled chicken reach?
The minimum safe temperature is 165°F. For fall-off-the-bone chicken, cook to 175°F for maximum tenderness.
Do I need to flip the chicken while boiling?
Flipping is not necessary. As long as the chicken is fully submerged, it will cook evenly.
Can I boil chicken in the Instant Pot?
Yes, the Instant Pot steams chicken under pressure to make it very moist and tender. Adjust cooking time as needed.
Delicious Ways to Use Fall-Off-The-Bone Chicken
Pulled chicken is incredibly versatile. Try these tasty recipes:
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Chicken Salad Sandwiches – Toss shredded chicken with mayo, celery, onions, and spices for a classic chicken salad.
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Chicken Tacos – Season boiled chicken with taco seasoning and pile it on tortillas with all the fixings.
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Chicken Noodle Soup – Simmer pulled chicken in broth with veggies and egg noodles.
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Chicken Pot Pie – Mix tender chicken with vegetables and gravy, then top with a pie crust.
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Chicken Enchiladas – Stuff tortillas with shredded chicken, cheese, and enchilada sauce.
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Buffalo Chicken Wraps – Toss boiled chicken in buffalo sauce and serve in lettuce wraps.
The possibilities are endless! Chicken that falls off the bone has the most amazing texture and taste for all kinds of dishes.
Follow this simple boiling technique for mouthwatering pulled chicken. In about 20 minutes or less you can have a hearty protein ready to mix into soups, salads, sandwiches and more. Leftover chicken will keep in the fridge for several days, so you can prep a big batch to use all week long.
How to Boil Chicken for Shredding: Step-by-Step
All you need to do is boil the chicken and then shred it! Sounds easier said than done, I know. But really it doesnt get much easier than this.
Thankfully you can make cooked chicken without using a slow cooker or Instant Pot – its super easy and so delicious!
Here’s a quick overview of the steps to make easy shredded chicken. For the full list of ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Place the boneless skinless chicken breasts on the bottom of a pan and cover the chicken with about 1 ½ – 2 inches of water. For reference, I used three-and-a half to four cups of water to cover one and a half pounds of chicken breast in a 2.5-quart saucepan.
- Cook on medium-high heat. When the water starts to boil, turn the heat down so that the water stays at a slow boil.
- Cook the chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of each chicken breast and how many pounds of chicken you cook at a time. It can take anywhere from 12-17 minutes.
- Once the chicken reaches 165 degrees, the chicken is ready to shred.
- Carefully remove the chicken breasts from the water and place it in a dish to be shredded later or place the chicken breasts directly in a bowl and use a mixer to shred the chicken.
Leftover Shredded Chicken Recipes
- Chicken tossed in with tortellini and pesto. This is my number one go to easy weeknight dinner that all of my kids love on the busiest of days.
- Mexican chicken recipes Chicken enchiladas, shredded chicken tacos, and taco salad.
- Chicken soups or white chicken chili. In fact, shredded chicken can be used in place of ground turkey when making turkey chili.
- Chopped salads Use leftover shredded chicken to make chicken salad, Caesar salad, or to top kale salad.
- Chicken dip Use shredded chicken to make buffalo chicken dip or mix some plain shredded chicken in with the Jalapeño Artichoke dip that Trader Joes sells to make a quick and easy chicken dip that has a touch of spice.
- Barbecue chicken This can be as easy as tossing barbecue sauce in with the shredded chicken.
- If you prefer more flavorful shredded chicken, try adding crushed garlic cloves, pepper, and herbs to the boiling water. Another option is to boil the chicken in chicken broth to enhance the flavor even further.
- Do not overcook the chicken. Overcooked chicken is tough to chew and harder to shred.
- Use a digital instant read thermometer to check the temperature of the chicken.
- Make shredded chicken to freeze for those times when you are in a bind!
- Shredded chicken stores well in the refrigerator. Just be sure to use or freeze it within 3-4 days.
- Have you noticed how many recipes called for “cooked chicken”? This is it!
- One pound of chicken makes about 2 cups of cooked, shredded chicken.