How Long Does It Take To Boil Chicken?

Chicken is best eaten in many forms: roasted, fried, or boiled. Boiling the chicken makes it tastier and more tender; you can use the chicken stock to flavor other dishes. Eating boiled chicken is also better for your health since you won't be eating it with oil. So, how long does it take to boil chicken? We have researched answers for you.

After thawing a chicken fully, you can now boil it. First, it is recommended to chop the chicken in half to let the boiling water fully cook the insides. Boil it for 12 to 15 minutes to make the chicken tender and ready to be cooked with other ingredients.

Chicken is a staple among many households, and for a good reason. It is a protein-packed food that doesn't take much to be tasty. If you want to learn more about delicious ways to cook your chicken, keep reading below!

How Long Do You Boil Chicken?

Although you can throw your thawed chicken in hot water, there are ways you can go about it more efficiently.

Put your chicken in a pot with an inch of water. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat to let it simmer. Cover it for 12-15 minutes until the chicken is tender, checking every 5 minutes, and that's it!

Here are some reminders for specific cuts of chicken.

Thin chicken breasts need to simmer for about 8 minutes only.
Large chicken slices need 15 minutes to cook thoroughly.
Large and bone-in chickens need to boil for 20 minutes until cooked.

Boiled Chicken Recipes

Boiled chicken has a reputation for being bland, usually seen in healthy eating recipes exclusively.

However, boiled chicken can have flavor if you are familiar with your spices and willing to invest some of your time to whip up something tasteful.

Not only will you create something that can entertain your palette, but you will also cook something better for your health!

Here are some popular boiled chicken recipes you can try.

Chicken Tinola

Chicken Tinola is a Filipino dish that's best served with a cup of steaming rice. The chicken is boiled in ginger broth and mixed with spices and vegetables, making for a healthy and tasty meal.

The cooking method is pretty easy and can be tried by beginners.

Boil the chicken in a large pot.
In a separate pot, sautee garlic, onion, and ginger in olive oil. Wait until the onion is translucent.
Add the chicken to the sauteed ingredients and let it simmer in the olive oil for a bit.
Pour the chicken broth into the mix; keep stirring until the chicken is cooked.
Throw in papaya slices and malunggay leaves. Add in fish sauce, salt, and pepper. Let it all simmer for 45 minutes.
Transfer to a bowl and serve with hot rice.

To extract the chicken flavor, let the chicken simmer for an hour. You can also add chicken cubes if you are not satisfied with the taste.

Chinese Chicken Salad

Chinese chicken salad is a refreshing and healthy recipe best served during warm months. It is made with vegetables, green onions, boiled chicken, and sesame seeds.

You can eat this at any time of the day for a quick fill.

Prepare your dressing and combine thoroughly until the flavors are blended.
Cut up 4 cups of Chinese cabbage, 1 1/2 cup of red cabbage, one finely-chopped carrot, and 2 cups of shredded chicken.
Prepare garnishes of sesame seeds and crunchy noodles.
Shred boiled chicken into fine strips.
Combine all the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
Mix in the dressing and throw in the garnishes.
Serve and enjoy!

Read: How To Make Seasoning Stick To Chicken

Chicken Broccoli Casserole

Chicken broccoli casserole can be a healthier alternative to boxed mac-and-cheese. This recipe is just as flavorful and can make for a memorable homemade dish!

Preheat the oven and grease with butter.
Boil the chicken until tender. Once cooked, cover and refrigerate for 24 hours before shredding.
Boil salted water and add broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes.
Prepare freshly cooked rice.
In a baking dish, evenly layer the rice and make a second layer with the broccoli.
Prepare chicken soup and bring it to a boil.
Mix the soup with sour cream, mayo, lemon juice, cheddar, and salt and pepper. Add in the shredded chicken.
Bake for 40 minutes. Let it cool.
Serve and enjoy!

Chicken Bhorta/Bharta

Chicken Bhorta or Chicken Bharta is a rich dish with roots originating from Northern India and Bangladesh. It has an earthy and savory taste that can fill you up and enrich your palette.

The thick, tasty sauce made of chicken chunks, egg, and Indian gravy is poured over chopped chicken and served with tea and pita bread, making for a satisfying meal.

Boil the chopped chicken pieces. Let it simmer until the chicken is tender.
Shred the chicken and set it aside.
In a separate pan, saute sliced onions and wait until it turns golden. Throw in garlic paste and saute.
Add turmeric powder, cumin, chili powder, and coriander.
Mix the shredded chicken on medium heat and let the spices coat it.
Combine yogurt, cashew paste, and garam masala in a medium bowl.
Combine the mixture with the chicken. Stir it all in low heat and add the tomato puree.
Check the consistency of the seasonings. They should all be integrated with the chicken.
Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
While waiting, mash together egg yolk, butter, cilantro, and Kasuri methi.
Once done, combine that mixture with the cooked dish.
Serve with flatbread, and enjoy!

What Are The Benefits Of Boiling Chicken?

Chicken is packed with fiber, making it a great option for losing weight. You can benefit from the chicken breasts the most since it is the meatiest part with the least amount of fat and cholesterol.

Here are reasons why you need to eat boiled chicken more.

Read: How Long To Cook Chicken In A Pressure Cooker?

Source Of Protein

According to nutritionists, chicken breasts contain 21 grams of protein for every 100 grams. This makes it good for the muscles and amino acids since they mostly require proteins to develop.

Adults typically require 46-56 grams of protein each day. One serving of chicken breast already fulfills 2/3 of the requirement.

Of course, you still need nutrition from other food, so you may try combining it with vegetables and other protein sources.

Eating boiled chicken breast is the way to go if you are trying to be healthier. However, if it seems too plain for you, you can try mixing it with other ingredients to make it more motivating to consume.

Good For Bone Health

Since chicken is packed with vitamins and minerals, they are essentially healthier for the bones. Chickens are a source of B-Vitamins, vital for forming red blood cells and strengthening the body.

Chicken also contains vitamin D, which aids calcium absorption to develop stronger bones. Essential minerals also help prevent anemia by encouraging hemoglobin production and distributing iron throughout the body.

Aside from chicken breasts, chicken bones--especially on the leg part--also produce a lot of collagen.

By consuming it, we encourage the production of collagen, which glues the bones together and adds a layer of protection to our blood vessels and digestive system.

Collagen is also healthier for the skin, hair, and ligaments. It keeps our skin looking young and gives us a plump, healthy flush.

Healthier Alternative To Oily Chicken

Fried chicken is not always healthy since it has been exposed to fat and oil, which can't be good for our bodies in excess.

Boiling chicken is a healthier alternative to frying since you only have water to cook them, wringing out all their health benefits.

Continuously eating oily and fatty food will put you at risk for heart disease. To prevent this, doctors often recommend abstaining from fried food and instead opt for boiled or grilled food.

Controls Blood Pressure

Hypertension is a dangerous condition that can lead to other serious health risks. Try veering away from fatty food, often found in fried meals, to prevent this.

Boiled food such as chicken can help reduce risks for kidney failure, vascular dementia, and heart diseases. The protein found on chicken legs can effectively lower blood pressure and make you healthier.

Conclusion

Eating healthy doesn't have to be plain and boring. You can motivate yourself to eat more nutritious meals by cooking at home and whipping up flavorful dishes that are good for you.

With that said, don't be afraid to experiment with more cuisines that can go well with boiled chicken. Happy cooking!