How Long to Boil Chicken Breast?
Cooking time
- Chicken breast, simmered
- 15 min
A boneless chicken breast poaches in about 15 minutes in gently simmering water, then rests 5. How to keep it juicy and check it is cooked.
Method
- Put the chicken breasts in a pan and cover with cold water or stock by about 2 cm. Add salt, a bay leaf and peppercorns.
- Bring to the boil, turn down to a gentle simmer and start the timer.
- Check the thickest part is no longer pink, then rest the chicken in the liquid or on a board for 5 minutes before slicing.
Tips
- Food safety: chicken is cooked at 74°C (165°F) in the thickest part; use a thermometer if you have one.
- A gentle simmer keeps it tender; a hard boil makes it tough and stringy.
- Very thick breasts may need 18–20 minutes; halved or flattened ones 10–12.
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