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Learn How to Boil Chicken Breasts easily for meal prep or quick dinners. Perfect for shredding or slicing to use in salads, tacos, or casseroles! Simple, healthy, and versatile!
How Long to Boil Chicken Breast (Timing Chart)
| Chicken Breast Type | Boil Time (Simmering) |
|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless (avg. 6–8 oz) | 12–15 minutes |
| Bone-in chicken breast | 25–30 minutes |
| Frozen boneless breast | 18–22 minutes |
| Shredding texture | +2–3 minutes extra |
⚠️ Instant Pot Cooking Times for Chicken Breast
| Chicken Breast Type | Instant Pot (High Pressure) | Natural Release |
|---|---|---|
| Boneless, skinless | 8–10 minutes | 5–10 minutes |
| Frozen boneless breast | 10–12 minutes | 10 minutes |
Tip: Always check the internal temperature—165°F (74°C) is safe for chicken. Use a meat thermometer for best results.
This boiled chicken is perfect for a variety of casseroles and salads! It’s juicy and tender, making it an ideal base for dishes like Chicken Tater Tot Casserole, Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole, Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole, and Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole. You can also use it in a Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole or a Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad for a quick and delicious meal.
✅Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Breasts: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best for even cooking. If using frozen chicken, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
- Chicken Broth: Using broth instead of water adds more flavor. If you prefer a lighter taste, water works fine, but the broth will give you a richer flavor.
- Salt and Pepper: Adjust the amount of salt and pepper based on your preference or dietary needs. Freshly ground black pepper gives a better flavor than pre-ground.
- Garlic: Adding whole or smashed garlic cloves infuses the chicken with a subtle, savory flavor. If you love garlic, don’t skip this!
- Bay Leaf and Herbs are optional but highly recommended for extra flavor.
🔪How to Boil Chicken Breast
Place the chicken breasts in a large pot and season with salt and pepper.
Pour in the chicken broth and add enough water to cover the chicken.
Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and cover the pot. Let it simmer for 20-30 minutes, until the chicken is fully cooked (165°F).
For extra flavor, you can add garlic, herbs, or lemon slices while cooking.
How to Shred Boiled Chicken
Shredding chicken is super easy! You can use 2 forks to pull it apart, and since it’s tender, it won’t take long. But our favorite trick? Use a mixer! It shreds the chicken in seconds, especially if you’ve got a lot to do. We even use this method for shredding roast for BBQ—it gives the perfect texture every time!
This method is super quick—you can shred a pound of chicken in just 30 seconds! You can use a stand mixer or a handheld mixer to do it.
FAQs❓
How Long to Boil Chicken Breasts?
Boil chicken breasts for 20-30 minutes, depending on their size. They are fully cooked when the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Yes, you can boil frozen chicken breasts. Increase the cooking time to 30-40 minutes, ensuring they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Yes! The leftover broth can be used in soups, sauces, or to add flavor to other dishes.
🗄️Storage
Storing boiled chicken breasts is a breeze! Once they’ve cooled, slice or shred them, then pop them into an airtight container or a ziplock bag. Want to make meal prep super easy? Portion the chicken into separate bags for each recipe you’re planning—perfect for quick lunches or dinners! Store them in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, just reheat and enjoy tender, juicy chicken whenever you need it!
Boiled Chicken Recipes
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! We will be happy to hear from you!
How to Boil Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 3 pounds Chicken Breasts, about 3-4 chicken breasts
- 4 cups Chicken Broth, or water for a lighter flavor
- 1 teaspoon Salt, adjust to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper, freshly ground for best flavor
Optional Add-ins for Extra Flavor
- 2-3 garlic cloves, whole or smashed
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 teaspoon dried herbs, like thyme or oregano
Instructions
- Place the chicken breasts in a large pot. Season with salt and pepper.
- Pour the chicken broth over the chicken. Add enough water to fully cover the chicken in the pot.
- Bring the pot to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Lower the heat to a simmer and cover the pot once it boils.
- Cook until the chicken reaches 165°F and is fully cooked. This takes about 20-30 minutes, depending on the size of the breasts.
- For extra flavor, add garlic, a bay leaf, or dried herbs while cooking.
- Once done, remove the chicken, shred, and enjoy!
Instant Pot Method
- Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook on high.
- Cook the chicken breasts for 8-10 minutes if they are fresh, or 12-15 minutes if they are frozen. The exact time depends on the size of the breasts.
- Allow the pressure to release naturally for 5 minutes, then use the quick release to release any remaining pressure.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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The chicken turned out super juicy, and I used it for meal prep all week. Definitely keeping this method in my back pocket!
So glad this helped, Heather! Boiling chicken gets such a bad rap, but when done right, it’s the perfect meal prep hack. Thanks for your review!