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Learn How to Boil Chicken and have tender and flavorful meat for casseroles and more. You will save time and money with these tips.
This is one of my favorite ways to meal prep and it saves so much time and money. You can stock up on chicken when it is on sale and get a good deal. It is so easy to boil chicken and shred for a variety of dishes.
Sometimes, I will boil chicken on Sunday to keep in the fridge for quick meals all week. My family loves when I make Buffalo chicken Quesadillas and it is so easy when the chicken is already to go in the fridge.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
Cooked shredded chicken can be used in a variety of chicken recipes. It is high in protein and these simple steps allows you to meal prep for the week. The chicken cooks tender and juicy in this recipe.
You can easily use this shredded chicken to make chicken noodle soup for a quick, easy and delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Broth – you can use water but the chicken broth adds SO much flavor!
- Salt and pepper
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Chicken – We made this recipe with skinless chicken breasts but you can also shred bone-in chicken breast, whole chicken, or boneless chicken thighs.
- Fresh Herbs – You can also add in spices or fresh herbs to change the flavor. Add in fresh garlic, thyme, rosemary, ginger and parsley.
- Add Vegetables – Feel free to add in fresh veggies for a delicious variations. Add in onions, carrots, and celery.
How to Boil Chicken Breasts
Step 1 – First, you need a large pot. Put the chicken in the stock pot and season with the salt and pepper.
Step 2 – Second, add the chicken broth all over the top. You want the chicken to be completely covered so add water to the stock pot until it has covered the chicken.
Step 3 – Finally, bring to a boil the chicken and liquid mixture over medium high heat. When the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and add a lid to the pot.
Step 4 – Cook until the chicken is cooked through (chicken will be completely white when cooked) and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This generally take approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size and quantity of the chicken breasts that you are cooking.
Save the liquid
We all know that I am very frugal. I like to be able to save money where I can. The broth or water that you cook your chicken can be used for things that you are cooking.
- If you decided to boil your chicken in chicken broth this would be great for soups. Just strain the broth and then pour into your soup that you are preparing or store in a container for further use.
- If you are just cooking your chicken in water, you can still use the broth for other things. It would be great to cook your rice or boil pasta for dinner, it will add so much extra flavor.
This process has just become part of my meal prepping.
Recipe Tips
- Meat Thermometer – Keep cooking the chicken until it is cooked through. The chicken will be completely white when it is finished cooking. Make sure the internal temperature of a meat thermometer is 165 degrees in the thickest part of the chicken.
- Cooking Time – Cooking times will vary but this takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on how large the chicken breasts are.
- Shred Chicken – The last step is to take the chicken from the stock pot and shred with hand mixer or a stand mixer.
How to Shred Chicken
- You can shred the chicken using 2 forks. It will be tender so this should be easy to do.
- However, you can also use a mixer to shred the chicken. This is my favorite way to shred the chicken. Plus, it is so quick and easy when you are shredding large amounts of chicken.
In fact, this is how I shred a roast or a pork butt for BBQ. The texture is just perfect.
This method really is fast and you can shred a pound of chicken in about 30 seconds. You can use a stand mixer or hand held mixer to do this. Learn even more tips and tricks on how to shred chicken.
How to Freeze
I like to freeze the chicken in portions that I will use for dinner. So think about casseroles, salads or other recipes and freeze in portions you can use.
This will make meal time even easier when everything is frozen in the portions you need. Plus, you will be less tempted to get take out knowing you have something so easy to make for dinner. Having the chicken already cooked and shredded is a huge time saver.
Tip: Anytime we have leftover baked chicken, poached chicken or rotisserie chicken, it goes in the freezer! Save it for a meal later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically I always boil my chicken from frozen. It is just as easy and no pre-planning. Just take out of the freezer and following the instructions.
If you chicken frozen, I usually add an additional 15 minutes to my cook time. It will depend on how large your chicken breast are.
Storing shredded juicy chicken is so easy. I tried to keep the shredded chicken that I have prepared in the same container that everyone in my family knows is available to eat. This way they know that I am not using for another meal.
Just keep in the refrigerator in a large gallon size ziplock bag or an air container. If you are using for separate meals, separate the chicken into the specific bag for that meal. It keeps you organize and meal time will be a breeze.
To boil chicken it usually takes about 20 minutes. If you are boiling frozen chicken, it may require to boil chicken an additional 15 minutes.
Boiled Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Enchilada Foil Pack
- Easy Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos Recipe
- Balsamic Pulled Chicken Sliders
Check out more ideas in our What to Make with Shredded Chicken.
More Cooking Tips
If this How to Boil Chicken Breasts recipe has helped you, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.
How to Boil Chicken
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs Chicken Breasts approximately 3-4 chicken breasts
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large stock pot. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Pour the chicken broth over the top. Add more water until chicken is completely covered in the stock pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat.
- Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover.
- Cook until the chicken is cooked through (chicken will be completely white when cooked) and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This generally take approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size and quantity of the chicken breasts that you are cooking.
- Remove chicken, shred and enjoy!
I just made this! So easy and tastes great. Thank You!
Yes you want to cool it first. Then you can freeze it in freezer bags. You can freeze with liquid or without. I tend to freeze without so I can add what I need to make my recipe.
All your chicken meals ideas look yummy. I either missed or didn’t see how you freeze your shredded chicken after cooking.
Please provide steps.
Do you cool it first? Do you freeze in liquid?
Thank you