How to boil chicken tenders (+3 simple steps)?

Boiling chicken is the EASIEST way to cook chicken for quick weeknight meals! Great for making shredded or sliced chicken for easy soups, lunch salads, burrito bowls, and more.

 

I have a lot of recipes in my regular rotation that uses just a small amount of shredded or sliced cooked chicken, like my go-to lunch salad, these BBQ burrito bowls, and any number of quick weeknight soups.

 

If I have some leftover chicken in the fridge, I use that for these easy meals. Otherwise, I use this poaching method to quickly cook a few chicken breasts when I need them!

 

Moist and Tender Cooked Chicken

 

When you want silky, tender chicken without a lot of fuss or fanfare, this chicken recipe is the way to go. The chicken cooks gently, retaining much more moisture than with other cooking methods. Adding herbs and other seasonings to the poaching liquid also helps season the chicken as it cooks — and you’re left with a tasty broth at the end!

 

Boiled Chicken vs. Poached Chicken: What’s the Difference?

In this case, "boiled" is a little bit of a misnomer. You’re not boiling the chicken for the whole time (this would result in tough, dry chicken!). You’re only boiling it initially to bring the liquid up to temp, but then you finish it in the simmering liquid.

 

Technically, this method is called "poaching," which just means simmering ingredients in a small amount of liquid.

 

This is all to say that for this recipe, there is no real difference between boiled chicken and poached chicken.

 

How Long to Boil Chicken?

 

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.

 

Check frequently toward the end of cooking either by checking the internal temperature with a thermometer (the chicken should be 165°F) or by slicing into the chicken to make sure it’s cooked through, and continue to cook until it’s done.

 

Can This Method Be Used for Chicken Thighs?

 

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.

 

No More Boring Chicken! Ways to Flavor 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.

 

How to Store and Freeze Boiled Chicken

 

Use the chicken meat right away, or let it cool and refrigerate for up to five days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to three months. I recommend shredding or slicing the chicken before freezing.

 

And don’t throw away the cooking liquid! This method will make a lightly-flavored chicken broth, which you can use in place of chicken broth for other recipes or as the cooking liquid for rice and other grains. You can also sip it all on its own!

 

Recipe Conversion Hints

 

One 12-ounce chicken breast will weigh about 8 ounces after poaching.

 

This amount of meat will give you about 2 cups of shredded chicken when lightly packed into the measuring cup. (Or about 2 1/3 cups of loosely packed.)

 

In other words: 1 average chicken breast = 8 ounces cooked = 2 cups shredded.

 

Ways to Use Your Boiled Chicken

 

Chicken Freezer Burritos

 

Chicken Panzanella Salad

 

Easy Chicken Skillet Enchiladas

 

Chicken Stroganoff

 

Classic Chicken Salad

 

How to Boil Chicken

 

One 12-ounce (raw) chicken breast will give you roughly 2 cups of shredded chicken.

 

Method

 

Place the chicken in a single layer in the bottom of a pan: It’s ok if the pieces overlap a little.

 

It’s ok if the pieces overlap a little.

 

Cover with an inch of water: Add the salt and any seasonings you’d like to use. Add the salt and any seasonings you’d like to use.

 

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat: As the water comes to a boil, the foam will start to collect on the surface. If you’re planning to use the cooking liquid for something else, you can skim the foam off the surface. Otherwise, it’s fine to just leave it.

 

As the water comes to a boil, the foam will start to collect on the surface. If you’re planning to use the cooking liquid for something else, you can skim the foam off the surface. Otherwise, it’s fine to just leave it.

 

Cover and simmer for 8 to 15 minutes: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook for 8 minutes, then begins checking the chicken to see if it’s done. Thin cutlets will cook in about 8 minutes; large chicken breasts will need up to 15 minutes. The chicken is done when it registers 165°F in the thickest part of the meat with an instant-read thermometer. You can also cut into the chicken to see if it’s cooked through. Continue cooking and checking the chicken every minute or so until the chicken is cooked.

 

Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan. Cook for 8 minutes, then begins checking the chicken to see if it’s done. Thin cutlets will cook in about 8 minutes; large chicken breasts will need up to 15 minutes.

 

The chicken is done when it registers 165°F in the thickest part of the meat with an instant-read thermometer. You can also cut into the chicken to see if it’s cooked through. Continue cooking and checking the chicken every minute or so until the chicken is cooked.

 

Cool briefly, then shred or slice: Remove the chicken from the broth and place it on a plate or cutting board. When cool enough to handle, shred or slice the chicken, as needed. Use immediately, or cool completely and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Shredded or sliced chicken can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

 

Remove the chicken from the broth and place it on a plate or cutting board. When cool enough to handle, shred or slice the chicken, as needed. Use immediately, or cool completely and refrigerate for up to 5 days. Shredded or sliced chicken can also be frozen for up to 3 months.

 

Nutrition Facts (per serving) 189 Calories 4g Fat 0g Carbs 35g Protein

 

 

Chicken tenders are a great snack option for busy days.
They’re quick to cook, easy to eat, and they don’t require much effort.
If you want to take advantage of these benefits, you’ll want to follow some basic rules.
Chicken tenders are a classic American food.
They’re usually served at barbecues or parties, and they’re often paired with fries.
The problem is that boiling them takes too long.
This means that you won’t be able to enjoy them during the party.
To solve this issue, you should try out our new recipe for chicken tenders.
These tenders are baked instead of boiled, and they taste delicious.
Plus, they only take 15 minutes to prepare

How to boil chicken tenders

Boil chicken tenders in a pan with enough water to cover the chicken tenders. Bring the water to a rolling boil and reduce the heat to medium low. Add the chicken tenders to the boiling water and let simmer until cooked through. Remove from heat and drain off any excess liquid. Serve hot.

How to make your own chicken tenders

To make your own chicken tendons, cut each chicken breast into two pieces. Cut each piece lengthwise down the middle, making four long strips. Then cut each strip crosswise into three equal parts, creating 12 thin strips. Place the strips between plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet or heavy skillet to flatten slightly. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches if necessary, place the chicken tenders in the skillet and cook 2 minutes per side or until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken tenders.

Boiling Hacks (Tips for boiling)

Boil water in a kettle or saucepan. Bring the water to a boil using a stovetop burner or gas ring. Once the water comes to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low and let simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow the water to cool completely. Use a strainer to remove any sediment from the water. Store boiled water in a glass jar in the refrigerator for future use.

Use salt for quick boiling

Salt helps to bring down the boiling point of water. It also helps to prevent the formation of foam on top of the water. Salt dissolves easily in hot water, but not in cold water. To dissolve salt into cold water, pour the salt into the water and stir until dissolved. Then, put the mixture into a pan and set aside to cool.

Use pots reasonably

Pot sizes vary from 1 quart to 2 gallons. A good rule of thumb is to buy a pot that holds about twice the volume of the food being cooked. For instance, if you’re making soup, buy a pot that holds 4 quarts. If you’re making pasta, buy a pot that’s 8 quarts.

Other facts about boiling

Boiling is a method of cooking where liquid is heated until it comes to a full boil. This process usually takes between 5 minutes and 30 minutes depending on the type of food being prepared. Boiling is used to cook vegetables, meats, soups, stews, sauces, gravies, and other types of dishes. It is also used to sterilize items such as eggs, milk, and meat.

How long does it take to cook chicken tenders in boiling water?

Boiling a chicken is a great way to get rid of any bacteria that could be present on the surface of the meat. To boil a chicken, place it into a pot with cold water and bring it to a boil. Once it reaches a full boil, turn off the heat and let it sit for 15 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and rinse it under cool running water. Let it dry completely before placing it back into the fridge. This process kills any harmful bacteria that may be present on the skin of the chicken.

How do you Boil chicken in water?

Boiling chicken in hot water is the safest way to cook it. It helps to break down the proteins in the meat and tenderize it. Boiled chicken is usually served with gravy or other sauces. Chicken cooked in hot water is safe to eat because it does not contain any harmful bacteria. However, if you prefer to cook your chicken in cold water, you can still enjoy it. Cold water helps to retain the flavor of the chicken. It also helps to reduce the risk of bacterial growth.

Do You Boil chicken in hot or cold water?

Yes, you can boil chicken in hot water. Boiling chicken in hot water is a great way to get rid of any bacteria that may be present on the surface of the meat. This method works well if you are looking to remove any bacteria from raw poultry. It is important to note that boiling does not kill off any harmful bacteria that may be present in the meat itself. However, boiling does help to reduce the chances of getting sick after eating the meat.

How do you boil chicken step by step?

Boiling chicken is a great way to get rid of any bacteria and ensure that the meat cooks evenly. It is important to follow these steps correctly to avoid any problems. Boil the chicken breast in a pan until cooked through. Remove from the pan and place into a bowl. Cover with cling film and leave to cool completely. Once cooled, remove the skin and bones. Cut the chicken into pieces and store in the fridge. To reheat the chicken, simply put the pieces back into the pan and warm through.

Can you boil chicken in hot water?

Boiling chicken in hot water is not recommended because it cooks the meat unevenly. It takes longer to cook the breast part compared to the leg part. On the other hand, if you boil chicken in cold water, the meat will become tough. So, we recommend you to boil chicken in warm water.

Do You boil chicken in hot or cold water?

To boil chicken in water, place the chicken pieces into a saucepan with enough cold water to cover the chicken. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pan and simmer until the meat is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove the chicken from the liquid and set aside to cool. Once cooled, remove the skin and bones. Discard the bones and cut the meat into bite-sized pieces.

How do you boil a chicken?

It takes about 5 minutes to cook chicken tenders. It depends on how thick the chicken tenders are. Thick tenders take longer to cook because they absorb more water than thin tenders.