Cooking chicken breast is an art and a science. There are many different ways to prepare chicken breast and each will have different cooking time requirements. When it comes to cooking chicken breast in water on the stove, there is a simple process that can be used to ensure the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat. The key is to know how long to cook chicken breast in water on the stove in order to achieve a tasty and safe result. In this blog post, we will discuss the best practices for cooking chicken breast in water on the stove, as well as provide some helpful tips for doing it correctly. We’ll explore how long the cook time should be and how you can tell when the chicken is cooked through. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to confidently and successfully cook chicken breast in water on the stove in no time.
How do you boil chicken breasts for shredding
Making sure you have a heavy-bottomed pot that can hold the boneless chicken breasts nicely—that is, holding them without stacking them on top of one another and fitting them in quite tightly—is crucial.
Make sure to use good-quality chicken. Use whatever spices you prefer to achieve the flavor profile you want after opening the chicken’s spice packet. You could use fresh herbs if you have them on hand, though I used Trader Joe’s onion salt and freshly cracked pepper here. Normally, I also add garlic.
Then put the spice-side-down chicken in a sizable pot with a heavy bottom. Sprinkle the same seasonings on the chicken’s now-bare side.
Then fill the pot with water until it is about 1/2 inch above the chicken.
Set the stove to high heat, then, once the water has boiled, reduce the heat to medium to maintain a nice simmer. Cook for approx. 15 more minutes. Depending on how thick your chicken breasts are. Mine were quite thick so it took 20 minutes. When cooking chicken, ALWAYS use a thermometer. All poultry should be cooked through to an internal temperature of at least 165°F (74°C). I make numerous probes with my meat thermometer, including the thickest part of the chicken.
To ensure success I highly recommend using an instant-read thermometer. I get SOOO much use out of my Thermapen Mk4 (affiliate link). From cooking filet mignon, tempering chocolate, roast turkey, making caramel, and more!
It’s crucial to reduce the heat and avoid boiling the chicken for the entirety of the cooking process because doing so will change the chicken’s texture and moisture No matter how long or how much you cook the chicken, just because you cook it in water doesn’t guarantee that it will stay moist.
Use tongs to transfer the chicken to the bowl of an electric stand mixer once it has finished cooking. The cooking liquid can be discarded or saved to make chicken broth for soup. If you plan to keep it, I recommend putting it in an ice cube tray or a souper cube so you can use it right away.
You could add some chopped carrots and celery, or really any other vegetables you have on hand, to the chicken as it cooks if you wanted to make a chicken broth with more flavor.
After allowing the chicken breasts to cool in the bowl for 20 minutes, shred the chicken using a paddle attachment by mixing the chicken for 2 minutes. OR shred the chicken using two forks or a large bowl and a hand-held electric mixer.
The chicken should be kept in the refrigerator until used, or it can be frozen for up to a month in a freezer-safe container. I advise storing the chicken breast in some of its own cooking liquid because it has a tendency to dry out quickly when kept in the refrigerator.
Check that the chicken has reached a minimum temperature of 165F/74C using an internal read thermometer.
Frozen chicken breasts can be boiled, but it will take about 50% longer than thawed chicken.
Yes, boiling your chicken before grilling is par-boiling it. By doing so, you can make sure the chicken breasts are fully cooked.
Knowing how to boil chicken will come in handy if you ever find yourself in need of a rotisserie chicken but didn’t have one. Boiling chicken is the ideal method to obtain tender, juicy, and easy-to-shred chicken when there isn’t time (or energy) to run to the store. You can dress it up however you like, and it’s perfect for pulled chicken sandwiches or chicken salad sandwiches (my favorite). Contrary to what the name implies, it need not be bland or monotonous. In addition, boiling takes less time and effort than cooking in a skillet. It’s as simple as bringing a pot of water to a boil, and when done correctly, boiling can produce a piece of chicken that is perfectly tender.
Currently serving as Food Editor for Delish, Makinze creates recipes, hosts recipe videos, and is our go-to baker. She is also our go-to for everything related to Midwest cuisine, having come from Oklahoma. Shes also our expert pie crimper. This content is imported from poll. On their website, you might find the exact same information in a different format or more details.
Bring your water to a boil after you have added all of your flavors. In order to maintain a fairly rapid simmer, cover the pot and slightly reduce the heat. Your chicken breasts should simmer for roughly 10 minutes, depending on their size. 10 minutes later, take one piece out of the pot and inspect it. The internal temperature should be 165°. If they need more time check every 5 minutes. Dont let them overcook or they will become rubbery.
Add enough liquid to completely cover your chicken breasts in a sizable pot with a tight-fitting lid. It’s imperative to season your liquid well with salt and pepper. Its really no different than boiling a pot of pasta. You can also add fresh herbs, carrots, or onions to the pot if you have them on hand. The more the merrier because everything you add to the pot will affect the flavor.
Recipes to use this shredded chicken in:
If you make this recipe, kindly let me know by giving it a star rating and leaving a comment below!
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FAQ
How long does it take to cook chicken breast in water?
Skinless, boneless chicken breast halves should be cooked for 12 to 15 minutes in a pot of water. (Accordingly, it would take 18 to 22 minutes to boil frozen chicken. (Cutting the chicken into 2-inch pieces and cooking it for eight to ten minutes will make the poached chicken even more quickly.
Can you overcook chicken in water?
It won’t be dry as long as you cook it to 165. Water boils at 212, so if you leave it in the water for an extended period of time, it will eventually overcook and become dry. However, if you start checking it after 12 to 15 minutes, you should be fine.
Can you cook chicken breast in boiling water?
Bring it to a boil. Your chicken breasts should simmer for roughly 10 minutes, depending on their size. 10 minutes later, take one piece out of the pot and inspect it. The internal temperature should be 165°. If they need more time check every 5 minutes.
How long does it take to simmer a chicken breast?
Cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Cook chicken breasts with the bone in for 25–30 minutes, or boneless for 12–15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
