How to Boil Chicken Breasts

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How to boil chicken breasts for shredded chicken recipes is easy and quick. All you need is chicken, spices, water and a heavy bottomed pot and in half an hour. This is the best boiled chicken.

shredded chicken in a silver bowl with paddle attachment on a grey surface with an orange linen

I often boil or poach my chicken for things like a chicken salad for sandwiches, soups, or chicken pie, when shreds of chicken is what the recipe calls for. Boiling makes it easy and quick to cook the chicken. Two things I love when it comes to cooking.

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How do you boil chicken breasts for shredding
Frequently Asked Questions
Recipes to use this shredded chicken in:
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How do you boil chicken breasts for shredding

The important part is to make sure you have a heavy-bottomed pot that holds the boneless chicken breasts nicely, as in not stacked on top of each other but also quite tightly fit in.

Make sure to use good-quality chicken. Open the packet of chicken and sprinkle on your spices, use whatever spices you like for the flavor profile you are going for. Here I used freshly cracked pepper and Trader Joe's onion salt, normally I use garlic too! You could use fresh herbs if you have them on hand!

raw chicken breasts sprinkled with spices in chicken container on a grey surface with an orange linen

Then place the chicken spices side down in a heavy-bottomed large pot. Sprinkle the same spices on the now bare side of chicken.

chicken breasts coated with salt and pepper in a silver saucepan on a grey surface with an orange linen

Then add water to the pot to cover the chicken about ½ an inch above the chicken.

chicken breasts ready to be boiled in a silver pot on a grey surface with an orange linen

Set on stove over high heat, once the water comes to a boil lower heat to medium to keep 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. Always ALWAYS use a thermometer when cooking chicken, you want all poultry to reach an internal temperature of at least 165F/74C this ensures it is cooked throughout. I poke my meat thermometer in numerous places 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!

instant read thermometer inside chicken in a boiling pot on dark stove

It's important to lower the temperature and not boil the chicken for the whole cooking process, it will affect the texture of the chicken and moisture. Just because you are cooking the chicken in water does not mean that the chicken will stay moist regardless of how or how long you cook it.

boiled chicken breasts in a silver bowl on a grey surface with an orange linen

When the chicken is done cooking use tongs to transfer it to the bowl of an electric stand mixer. You can set the cooking liquid aside and use it as chicken broth for soup or discard it. If you are going to save it I suggest storing it in an ice cube tray or a souper cube so you can use it easily.

If you wanted to make more of a full flavor chicken broth you could add some chopped carrots and celery, really any vegetables you have on hand to the chicken as it cooks too.

Let the chicken breasts cool in the bowl for 20 minutes then using a paddle attachment mix the chicken for 2 minutes this gives you shredded chicken. OR use a large bowl with a handheld electric hand mixer or you can also use two forks to shred the chicken.

Store in the fridge up until using the chicken or place it in a freezer-safe container and freeze it for up to a month. If you are storing in the refrigerator the chicken breast will tend to dry up quickly so I suggest storing it in some of its own cooking liquid.

Frequently Asked Questions

What temperature does chicken need to be cooked to?

Use an internal read thermometer to check the chicken has reached a minimum temperature of 165F/74C.

Can you boil frozen chicken?

Yes, you can boil frozen chicken breasts but they will take about 50% longer than thawed chicken.

Can you boil chicken before grilling?

Yes, boiling your chicken before grilling is par-boiling it. This will help ensure that the chicken breasts is fully cooked.

Recipes to use this shredded chicken in:

boiled chicken shredded in a silver bowl on a grey surface with an orange linen

★★★★★ Please let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a star rating and comment below!

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