How to Boil Chicken Breasts

This easy How to Boil Chicken Breasts recipe makes moist, tender chicken using boneless, skinless chicken breasts and chicken broth right on the stove. Learn how long to boil chicken breasts, how to tell when they’re done, and how to make delicious shredded chicken for soups, salads, tacos, sandwiches, and more!

Want to know how to boil chicken breasts so they turn out moist, tender, and delicious instead of dry and rubbery? I’ve got an easy method that works great for making chicken for all sorts of recipes!

Boiled chicken breasts might not sound particularly exciting, but they’re one of my favorite things to have ready in the refrigerator. You can shred or chop the cooked chicken and use it in everything from chicken salad and sandwiches to tacos, casseroles, soups, and pasta dishes.

And the best part? You only need TWO ingredients! Boneless skinless chicken breasts and chicken broth. That’s it! You can certainly add some herbs and spices if you’d like, but this simple method gives you flavorful chicken that you can use in just about anything.

Now, here’s the little trick that makes my method different. Instead of completely submerging the chicken in a big pot of boiling water, I use a smaller amount of chicken broth and keep the lid on the pan. The chicken gently simmers in the broth while the steam helps cook the tops. So technically, it’s part boiled chicken and part steamed chicken.

I find this method helps make the chicken moist and less rubbery than chicken that’s been cooked in rapidly boiling water. And since the chicken cooks in broth instead of plain water, it has extra flavor too!

This is an especially easy way to prepare chicken when you need a few cups of cooked chicken for another recipe. I love using it for recipes like my Easy Chicken Parmesan Baked Pasta, Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad, and Greek Lemon Chicken Soup. You can also make a batch ahead of time for quick lunches and dinners throughout the week.

If you love your Instant Pot as much as I do, you might also want to try my Instant Pot Shredded Chicken. But if you’re looking for an easy stovetop method without any special appliances, this boiled chicken breast recipe is a great option.

Let’s get cooking!

What I Love About This Recipe

• You only need TWO ingredients. All you need are boneless skinless chicken breasts and chicken broth. No complicated ingredient list or fancy seasonings required. You can add your favorite herbs and spices for extra flavor, but the basic recipe is delicious on its own.
• The chicken turns out moist and tender. Instead of boiling chicken breasts in a large pot of water, I use a combination of simmering and steaming. Keeping the lid on the pan helps the chicken cook gently while retaining moisture. It’s an easy way to make boiled chicken breasts without that dry, rubbery texture nobody wants.
• It’s perfect for meal prep. Make a batch of chicken breasts, then shred or chop them for recipes throughout the week. Having cooked chicken ready to go makes salads, sandwiches, tacos, soups, and casseroles so much easier. You can even freeze portions for another day.
• It’s easy to customize. Chicken broth gives the meat flavor without overpowering it. Add Italian seasoning, oregano, basil, garlic powder, or your favorite dried herbs if you’d like. Or keep the seasoning simple so you can use the cooked chicken in a variety of different recipes.
• It’s incredibly versatile. Use the chicken for homemade chicken salad, shredded chicken tacos, pasta dishes, sandwiches, soups, or casseroles. You can leave the chicken breasts whole, slice them, chop them, or shred them. One simple cooking method gives you all sorts of delicious possibilities.

Equipment You May Need

• Large Saucepan – Choose a saucepan or deep skillet that’s wide enough to hold the chicken breasts in a single layer.
• Tight-Fitting Lid – Important for trapping steam and helping the chicken cook evenly.
• Kitchen Tongs – Makes it easy to turn the chicken breasts halfway through cooking and remove them from the pan.
• Meat Thermometer – An instant-read thermometer helps you check that the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F.
• Large Cutting Board – For cooling, slicing, chopping, or shredding the cooked chicken.
• Two Forks or Meat Shredder – An easy way to shred chicken once it’s cooked.
• Measuring Cup – Helpful if you’re measuring chicken broth from a larger container.

(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)

How to Boil Chicken Breasts Ingredients

You only need two simple ingredients to make these easy boiled chicken breasts!

• Chicken Broth – You’ll need 1 (14.5 ounce) can of chicken broth, or about 1 3/4 cups. Homemade or store-bought chicken broth works great. You can use regular or reduced-sodium broth depending on your preference. Chicken stock is another option, and although you can use water, I strongly recommend broth for the best flavor.
• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts – You’ll need 2 pounds of defrosted boneless skinless chicken breasts. Try to choose chicken breasts that are roughly the same size so they cook evenly. You can use bone-in chicken breasts if you prefer, but you’ll need to adjust the cooking time.
• Optional Seasonings: Add your favorite dried herbs and spices to the chicken broth for extra flavor. Oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or a little black pepper are all good options.

How to Boil Chicken Breasts

Step One: Add the Broth and Chicken
Pour the chicken broth into a large saucepan. Arrange the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a single layer so they’re partially submerged in the broth. Cover the pan with a tight-fitting lid and bring the broth to a boil. Reduce the heat to low so the broth gently simmers, keeping the lid on the pan.

Step Two: Simmer and Steam the Chicken
Cook the chicken breasts for about 45-60 minutes, turning them over about halfway through cooking. Turn off the heat and let the chicken steam in the covered pan for about 15 minutes. Check that the thickest part of each chicken breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F before serving or shredding.

Step Three: Cool and Shred the Chicken
Remove the cooked chicken breasts from the saucepan and transfer them to a large cutting board to cool slightly. Shred the chicken with two forks or chop it into bite-sized pieces, depending on how you plan to use it.

(Full printable recipe card with more details is at bottom of post.)

How Long to Boil Chicken Breasts

Wondering how long to boil chicken breasts on the stove? The answer depends on the size and thickness of the chicken, whether it’s boneless or bone-in, and how you’re cooking it.

For this particular recipe, I cook 2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breasts for about 45-60 minutes, turning them halfway through cooking. Then I turn off the heat and leave the lid on the pan for about 15 minutes to let the chicken finish steaming.

Keep in mind that this isn’t the same as boiling chicken in a large pot of water. My method uses a smaller amount of broth and a covered saucepan, so the chicken gently simmers and steams.

For a more traditional method where boneless skinless chicken breasts are fully submerged in simmering liquid, average-sized chicken breasts may cook in approximately 12-20 minutes after the liquid reaches a gentle simmer. Larger or thicker chicken breasts can take longer.

Cooking times are only estimates. The most important thing is the internal temperature. Chicken breasts should reach 165°F in the thickest part before they’re safe to eat. A meat thermometer is the easiest way to know when they’re ready. If your chicken breasts reach 165°F before the full cooking time, you don’t need to keep cooking them. Overcooking can make chicken dry and tough.

How Do You Know When Boiled Chicken Is Done?

The best way to tell if boiled chicken breasts are fully cooked is to use an instant-read meat thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken breast, making sure the tip isn’t touching the bottom of the pan. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

Serving Suggestions

There are SO many ways to use boiled chicken breasts!

• Chicken Salad: Chop the cooked chicken for homemade chicken salad sandwiches, wraps, or lettuce cups.
• Shredded Chicken Tacos: Toss the chicken with taco seasoning and your favorite taco toppings.
• Chicken Soup: Add shredded or chopped chicken to homemade chicken noodle soup, chicken vegetable soup, or chicken and rice soup.
• Pasta Dishes: Stir cooked chicken into creamy pasta, baked pasta, or pasta salad.
• Sandwiches: Use shredded chicken for barbecue chicken sandwiches, buffalo chicken sandwiches, or simple chicken sandwiches.
• Casseroles: Add cooked chicken to your favorite chicken and rice casserole or cheesy baked pasta.
• Salads: Top green salads or grain bowls with sliced or chopped chicken.
• Quesadillas: Combine shredded chicken with cheese and your favorite fillings.
• Meal Prep Bowls: Serve with rice, roasted vegetables, potatoes, or quinoa.
• Chicken Wraps: Roll up chopped chicken with lettuce, cheese, vegetables, and your favorite dressing.

Quick Tips For Making The Best Boiled Chicken

• Choose similar-sized chicken breasts. Chicken breasts that are roughly the same size will cook more evenly.
• Thaw chicken first. Fully defrosted chicken works best for this recipe and helps prevent uneven cooking.
• Use chicken broth for flavor. I strongly recommend broth instead of plain water for tastier chicken.
• Keep the chicken in a single layer. Don’t pile the chicken breasts on top of each other in the pan.
• Don’t fully submerge the chicken. This recipe uses a combination of simmering and steaming rather than traditional boiling.
• Keep the lid on. A tight-fitting lid traps steam and helps the chicken cook evenly.
• Reduce the heat right away. Once the broth boils, lower the heat to a gentle simmer to avoid tough, rubbery chicken.
• Turn the chicken halfway through. This helps both sides cook evenly.
• Check the liquid level. Make sure the broth doesn’t completely evaporate during cooking.
• Use a meat thermometer. The thickest part of each chicken breast should reach 165°F.
• Avoid overcooking. Chicken breasts can dry out if cooked longer than necessary, so check the temperature rather than relying only on the clock.
• Add herbs and spices. Try oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or your favorite seasonings in the broth.
• Let the chicken cool slightly before shredding. It’s easier to handle and shred when it’s not piping hot.
• Save a little broth. Tossing shredded chicken with some cooking liquid can help keep it moist.
• Make extra for meal prep. Refrigerate or freeze portions for easy lunches and dinners.

How to Boil Chicken Breasts FAQ

How should I store boiled chicken breasts?
Store cooked chicken breasts in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Refrigerate promptly after cooking, and add a little of the cooking broth if you’d like to help keep the chicken moist.

Can I freeze boiled chicken breasts?
Yes! You can freeze boiled chicken breasts whole, chopped, or shredded. Store them in freezer-safe containers or bags, and use within about 4 months for the best quality. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Can I boil frozen chicken breasts?
So technically you can boil frozen chicken, however, you may be disappointed in the results. The chicken will take longer to cook AND the outside of the chicken will start to get overcooked and rubbery while the inner part of the chicken is still frozen. That’s why I strongly recommend defrosting the chicken first.

How long will boiled chicken breasts last?
Cooked chicken breasts will generally last 3-4 days in the refrigerator when stored properly. If you won’t use them within that time, freeze them for later.

Substitutions?
You can substitute homemade chicken broth or chicken stock for canned chicken broth. Water will also work, but I strongly recommend broth for better flavor. You can try bone-in chicken breasts or other cuts of chicken, although you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and possibly the amount of liquid.

Can I use low-fat ingredients?
Absolutely! Boneless skinless chicken breasts are already a lean protein choice. You can also use lower-fat chicken broth if you prefer. Just check the package labels to find an option that works for you.

What else can I add to this recipe?
Try adding dried oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, or black pepper to the chicken broth. You can also experiment with other herbs and spices depending on how you plan to use the cooked chicken.

Can I make this vegan/vegetarian/low carb/gluten-free?
Here are a few suggestions, but always check individual ingredients and labels if you have dietary restrictions or allergies.

Vegan – This recipe contains chicken, so it isn’t vegan. You would need a completely different protein and cooking method for a vegan alternative.

Vegetarian – This recipe isn’t vegetarian because it uses chicken and chicken broth.

Low-Carb – This recipe is naturally low in carbohydrates when made with chicken breasts and a suitable chicken broth.

Gluten-Free – Chicken breasts are naturally gluten-free. Check your chicken broth label to make sure it doesn’t contain gluten ingredients or additives.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you love easy chicken recipes and having cooked chicken ready for quick meals, here are some more Snappy Gourmet recipes to try!

• Chicken Salad with Apples – A tasty chicken salad with sweet apples that’s perfect for sandwiches, wraps, or serving over greens.
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta – A delicious combination of chicken, bacon, ranch flavor, and pasta.
• Italian Chicken Chili – A hearty, flavorful chicken chili that’s perfect for a cozy dinner.

Now that you have some boiled chicken, you can chop it or shred it. Check out these easy Shredded Chicken Recipes for some great ideas what to use the chicken for or these Boiled Chicken Recipes for even more ideas.