Learn how to make the perfect poached chicken at home! Say goodbye to rubbery chicken breasts and hello to juicy, moist chicken breasts!
These poached chicken breasts really are so easy, and with my top tips, you’ll have perfectly cooked chicken ready in under 20 minutes. Perfect every time!
AND Poached chicken is so versatile and so handy to have in the refrigerator! I have included so many ways to use it in this post.
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See how easy it is to poach chicken (VIDEO)
The gentle heat of poaching is perfect for chicken breasts. The low temperature and poaching liquid cooks the chicken very gently and helps to prevent it from overcooking. The liquid also helps to keep the breasts so moist and juicy. Hopefully, you can tell from the photos just how juicy this chicken is!
How to poach boneless chicken breasts
Poaching chicken is really easy. It involves placing chicken breasts into a pan of boiling stock/broth and bringing the liquid back to a boil. Once the liquid is boiling a lid is added and the heat is turned off. The chicken breasts will slowly cook in the residual heat of the stock/broth.
Using this method it is virtually impossible to overcook the chicken breasts. Just set a timer and remove them from the poaching liquid – perfectly poached chicken!
How long to poach chicken breast.
Once the stock/broth has come back to the boil then you want to leave them to sit in the liquid for 15 minutes. Although a couple of extra minutes won’t harm them.
Top tips for poaching chicken
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator 30 minutes in advance
- Use chicken broth or stock for extra flavor
- Use a pan with a well-fitting lid
- Place the chicken in a single layer
- Do not allow the chicken to boil in the liquid
Additional ingredients to add to the chicken broth
The chicken will be perfect cooked in just plain broth/stock. Just ensure that it has plenty of seasoning in it.
You can also add:
- Onion slices
- Celery sticks
- Chopped carrot
- Parsley stalks
- Garlic cloves
- Peppercorns
- Lemon zest
Bonus Tip: Do not throw away the poaching liquid, it is going to be a great broth/stock for so many dishes! (See below)
Ways to use poached chicken breast
- Curried Chicken Salad
- Crispy Chicken Croquettes
- Chicken Tortellini Soup
- Buffalo Chicken Pizza Bites
- Baked Chicken Chimichangas (We are not Martha)
- Baked Chicken Taquitos (Kylee Cooks)
- Buffalo Chicken Dip (My Sequined Life)
- Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole (Courtney’s Sweets)
Ways to use the poaching liquid
Any recipe that asks for chicken broth/stock will be great to use up this chicken broth. Including
- Pasta with Chicken Broth
- Creamy Basil Chicken
- Chicken Sausage, White Bean and Kale Soup
- Creamy Cajun Chicken and Sausage Pasta
- Happy Family Stir Fry
- Saffron Risotto (Inside the Rustic Kitchen)
- Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup (Courtney’s Sweets)
Enjoy x
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Recipe for How to Poach Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 8 cups chicken broth/chicken stock (see note 1)
- 4 chicken breasts
Instructions
- Remove the chicken from the refrigerator for 30 minutes before cooking.
- Pour the chicken broth/stock into a large shallow pan and bring to a boil. (Ensure the stock is really well seasoned)
- Carefully lower the chicken breasts into the broth trying to keep them in a single layer.
- Bring back to a simmer, then place on a lid and remove from the heat.
- The chicken will be fully cooked after 15 minutes. (18 for extra large chicken breasts)
Notes
- The chicken will be perfect cooked in just plain broth/stock. Just ensure that it has plenty of seasoning in it.
You can also add:
- Onion slices
- Celery sticks
- Chopped carrot
- Parsley stalks
- Garlic cloves
- Peppercorns
- Lemon zest
Nutrition
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