• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Free Dinner Ebook! Get your copy!
  • About
  • Videos
  • Learn to Cook
  • Visit my other site: Fun Cookie Recipes

Little Sunny Kitchen

Delicious Recipes for Real Life

  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Sides
    • Dinner
    • Casseroles
    • Salads
    • Sandwiches
    • Pasta
    • Soups & Chilis
    • Desserts
    • Snacks
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Beverages
  • Holiday
    • Easter
    • Summer
    • Fall
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Christmas
    • Valentine’s
    • Game Day
    • Ramadan
  • Method
    • Instant Pot
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Oven
    • Casseroles
    • Stovetop
    • Grill
    • Bread Machine
  • Easy Meals
  • Slow Cooker
  • Air Fryer
  • Breakfast
  • Snacks
  • Copycat Recipes
  • Beef
  • Low Carb
  • Chicken
Home By Ingredient Chicken

How to Boil Chicken Breasts

Boiled chicken breast doesn’t have to be tough, rubbery, or boring! Learn how to boil chicken breast that is tender, juicy, flavorful, and super simple to make.
4.5
/5 –
Rate Recipe 2 Comments
Jump to Recipe
  • Share
By: Diana Last updated on December 28, 2024

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

It’s time for me to teach you exactly how to make boiled chicken breasts that are moist, flavorful, and shredded up, ready to add to your favorite recipes.

Shredded chicken breast on a white square plate with 2 forks


This is part of a series of cooking basics, aimed to teach both new and experienced home cooks the tips and tricks that I’ve learned to make simple, basic meals, dishes, and recipe ingredients. Things like How to Cook Quinoa and How to Blanch Green beans can be so helpful if you’re unsure of how to do them.

Boiling Chicken Breasts is fairly simple, but knowing how to do it right will ensure that you get the tastiest, juiciest shredded white meat chicken for all of your recipes, for meal prep, or whatever else you might want to do with boiled chicken. 

Raw chicken and aromatics in a saucepan

Why You’ll Love This Boiled Chicken

  1. Flavorful: We aren’t just boiling chicken. We are using some simple ingredients to enhance the flavor of the chicken and make it extra delicious. 
  2. Fast: I have a recipe for Crockpot Shredded Chicken, which works well, but it takes hours to complete. This boiled chicken breast recipe is done in about 25 minutes, and the cooking method is mostly hands off. 
  3. Simple Instructions: I’m answering all of your questions, including, “how long to boil chicken breast”, and “can you boil frozen chicken breasts”. Keep reading! Anybody can make this recipe. 
  4. Versatile Recipe Starter: Once you learn how to cook chicken to shred you’ll be able to add it to all sorts of recipes that call for cooked, shredded chicken. Recipes like Buffalo chicken dip, Chicken a la king, and chicken salad sandwiches will no longer be so complicated.

Ingredients for Easy Boiled Chicken Breast

Ingredients needed to make boiled chicken

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

  • Chicken: We’re boiling about 24 ounces of chicken to make 3 cups of shredded chicken, which is exactly or just a bit more than you’ll need for most recipes. 
  • Water: Just enough water to cover the chicken in your pot.
  • Salt and Pepper: Unseasoned chicken is just not that good. Add seasoning from the start!
  • Celery, Onion, Garlic, Bayleaf, Peppercorns, and Parsley: These optional flavor ingredients are not necessary to make good boiled chicken, but they do add a lot of flavor. Plus when you add them, the remaining liquid becomes a delicious broth for soups. 

How to Boil Chicken Breast

Collage of four images showing how to boil chicken breasts in a saucepan
  1. Fill the Pot: Add all of the ingredients to a medium or large saucepan, covering with water so that all of the ingredients are submerged. 
  2. Bring to a Boil: On medium-high heat, bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and cover.
  3. Skim: If you plan to save the cooking liquid to use later, be sure to skim any white foam that appears after boiling. The cooking liquid is perfect for cooking flavorful rice.
  4. Simmer: Cook the chicken at a low simmer for 12-16 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F/74°C.
  5. Rest: Remove the chicken from the broth, and allow it to rest and cool for 10 minutes. Now you can slice, dice, or shred!
Boiled chicken breasts on a white plate

Tip!

Make Chicken Broth! Boiling chicken can be a two birds, one stone situation if you save the broth to use in other recipes. Strain the broth first. I like to freeze it using ice cube trays so that I can add it to things later.

Boiled Chicken Tips

Trim the Fat: You don’t need any extra fat on your boiled chicken, it will just be difficult to remove after cooking. It’s easier to trim the breasts before you boil them instead. 

Add Flavor: The aromatic vegetables and herbs are listed here as optional, because the recipe will work without them, but I recommend you add them if you have them. They really make the chicken taste so much better. If you have some of the ingredients but not all of them, that’s ok. Add what you have. 

Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s easy to see if your chicken breasts are done using a digital meat thermometer. Make sure you cook the chicken until the thickest part reaches 165°F/74°C.

What to Make with Boiled Chicken Breast

Casseroles: Try my Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole, or use chicken instead of ground beef in a Tater Tot Casserole. 

Soups: Lemon Chicken Soup with Orzo or Chicken Noodle Soup can both be made with shredded chicken. Toss some into any soup that calls for chicken or can use some extra protein. 

Sandwiches and Salads: Add shredded boiled chicken to a Caesar Salad, or any cold salad that you like. This chicken is also great made into sandwiches, quesadillas, or wraps. 

FAQs

Can I boil frozen chicken breasts?

Yes, you can use this method to boil frozen chicken breasts, it will take longer for the water to boil, and additional simmering time to cook them completely.

Does boiling chicken make it tender?

Using this simple method you will have tender, juicy chicken breast!

Why is my boiled chicken rubbery?

You cooked it too long. Keep an eye on your chicken as it simmers, and remove it from the water as soon as it’s fully cooked.

I hope this “how to” boil chicken recipe was super helpful to you! I know that this is a staple in my kitchen, and now it can be in yours too.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
Shredded chicken breast on a white square plate with 2 forks
4.50 from 2 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Boiled Chicken Breast

Prep Time: 2 minutes mins
Cook Time: 12 minutes mins
Total Time: 20 minutes mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe
Boiled chicken breast doesn’t have to be tough, rubbery, or boring! Learn how to boil chicken breast that is tender, juicy, flavorful, and super simple to make.
3 cups shredded chicken
Boiled chicken breast doesn’t have to be tough, rubbery, or boring! Learn how to boil chicken breast that is tender, juicy, flavorful, and super simple to make.

Equipment

  • Saucepan

Ingredients 

  • 2-3 chicken breasts 7-8 oz each
  • salt and pepper
  • water enough to cover the chicken

Optional ingredients

  • 1 stalk celery chopped
  • ½ yellow onion sliced into wedges
  • 2 cloves garlic crushed
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 2 stalks chopped fresh parsley

Instructions 

  • Add all of the ingredients to a saucepan, cover with water.
  • Bring to a boil over medium high heat, reduce the heat to a simmer over low heat, and cover. NOTE: If you’re planning to use the broth later, remove the white foam forming at the top with a spoon.
  • Cook for 12-16 minutes (depending on the size of the chicken breasts). The chicken is ready when it reaches 165°F/74°C.
  • Remove the chicken from the broth, allow to rest for 10 minutes then shred, slice, or dice.

Notes:

  • If you cook the chicken for too long, you risk it becoming rubbery so keep an eye on it as you cook it.
  • Use a Meat Thermometer: It’s easy to see if your chicken breasts are done using a digital meat thermometer. Make sure you cook the chicken until the thickest part reaches 165°F/74°C.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 188kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 33g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 96mg, Sodium: 187mg, Potassium: 651mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 172IU, Vitamin C: 5mg, Calcium: 28mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

Did You Make This?I love to see what you made! Tag me @LittleSunnyKitchen and hashtag #LittleSunnyKitchen
Pin Recipe Tag on Insta Leave Review

You may also like...

  • Instant Pot Cauliflower Soup
  • Instant Pot Creamy Tortellini Soup
  • Instant Pot Firecracker Chicken
  • Instant Pot Creamy Salsa Chicken
A slice of oatmeal pie served on a small white plate with a fork, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream
Previous Post
Oatmeal Pie
Cooked drumsticks on a plate
Next Post
Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks

Reader Interactions

Leave a Review! Cancel reply

Have a question or just want to say how much you loved the recipe? Leave a rating below, save for later on Pinterest, and share on Facebook. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Rate this recipe!




  1. Aimie says

    Posted on 11/9/23 at 03:24

    nyum :3

    Reply
  2. Brynn says

    Posted on 3/7/23 at 17:18

    4 stars
    Clear and concise instructions. The chicken turned out great.

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Diana, author of Little Sunny Kitchen.
Welcome

Meet Diana

Welcome to Little Sunny Kitchen! I'm Diana and I’m here to teach you how to make easy meals that are quick, family-friendly, and delicious!

Read More
Follow on Pinterest for more ideas!
Free ebook!

Download My Free Dinner eBook!


Get my copy!

Free eBook

Download My Free Dinner eBook!

Popular Recipes

Marry Me Chicken

Creamy Garlic Shrimp Pasta

Garlic Butter Chicken Tenders

Air Fryer Chicken Breast

Rasta Pasta Recipe

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Reader Favorites

a light green plate of spaghetti and meat sauce with hidden vegetables.

Meat Sauce with Hidden Vegetables

top down view of cheesy beef enchiladas in a casserole pan.

Ground Beef Enchiladas

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

three mahi mahi tacos on a wooden board.

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

Cheesy Chicken Fajita Casserole

two white bowls of lasagna soup with a dollop of ricotta cheese and other cheeses, garnished with fresh herbs.

Lasagna Soup

Instant Pot Air Fryer Crockpot Easy Dinners Salads Grilling
Opens in a new window Opens an external site Opens an external site in a new window

As Featured On:

Dinner tonight
Free ebook!

Get My Free Dinner eBook!

Join us and receive new recipes every week! Receive our FREE eBook with quick and easy dinner recipes that are family-friendly and delicious.

Back to Top

explore

Recipe Index

Videos

Cooking Guides

Follow Along on Social:

Join My Free Cookie Facebook Group
Back to Top

About

Contact

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

© 2025 Little Sunny Kitchen
|
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required