This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission.
Learn How to Boil Chicken and have tender and flavorful meat for casseroles and more. You will save time and money with these tips.
This is one of my favorite ways to meal prep and it saves so much time and money. You can stock up on chicken when it is on sale and get a good deal. It is so easy to boil chicken and shred for a variety of dishes.
Sometimes, I will boil chicken on Sunday to keep in the fridge for quick meals all week. My family loves when I make Buffalo chicken Quesadillas and it is so easy when the chicken is already to go in the fridge.
Table of Contents
Why We Love This Recipe
Cooked shredded chicken can be used in a variety of chicken recipes. It is high in protein and these simple steps allows you to meal prep for the week. The chicken cooks tender and juicy in this recipe.
You can easily use this shredded chicken to make chicken noodle soup for a quick, easy and delicious weeknight meal.
Ingredients
- Skinless Boneless Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Broth – you can use water but the chicken broth adds SO much flavor!
- Salt and pepper
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Chicken – We made this recipe with skinless chicken breasts but you can also shred bone-in chicken breast, whole chicken, or boneless chicken thighs.
- Fresh Herbs – You can also add in spices or fresh herbs to change the flavor. Add in fresh garlic, thyme, rosemary, ginger and parsley.
- Add Vegetables – Feel free to add in fresh veggies for a delicious variations. Add in onions, carrots, and celery.
How to Boil Chicken Breasts
Step 1 – First, you need a large pot. Put the chicken in the stock pot and season with the salt and pepper.
Step 2 – Second, add the chicken broth all over the top. You want the chicken to be completely covered so add water to the stock pot until it has covered the chicken.
Step 3 – Finally, bring to a boil the chicken and liquid mixture over medium high heat. When the water starts to boil, turn the heat down to low and add a lid to the pot.
Step 4 – Cook until the chicken is cooked through (chicken will be completely white when cooked) and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This generally take approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size and quantity of the chicken breasts that you are cooking.
Save the liquid
We all know that I am very frugal. I like to be able to save money where I can. The broth or water that you cook your chicken can be used for things that you are cooking.
- If you decided to boil your chicken in chicken broth this would be great for soups. Just strain the broth and then pour into your soup that you are preparing or store in a container for further use.
- If you are just cooking your chicken in water, you can still use the broth for other things. It would be great to cook your rice or boil pasta for dinner, it will add so much extra flavor.
This process has just become part of my meal prepping.
Recipe Tips
- Meat Thermometer – Keep cooking the chicken until it is cooked through. The chicken will be completely white when it is finished cooking. Make sure the internal temperature of a meat thermometer is 165 degrees in the thickest part of the chicken.
- Cooking Time – Cooking times will vary but this takes about 20 to 30 minutes depending on how large the chicken breasts are.
- Shred Chicken – The last step is to take the chicken from the stock pot and shred with hand mixer or a stand mixer.
How to Shred Chicken
- You can shred the chicken using 2 forks. It will be tender so this should be easy to do.
- However, you can also use a mixer to shred the chicken. This is my favorite way to shred the chicken. Plus, it is so quick and easy when you are shredding large amounts of chicken.
In fact, this is how I shred a roast or a pork butt for BBQ. The texture is just perfect.
This method really is fast and you can shred a pound of chicken in about 30 seconds. You can use a stand mixer or hand held mixer to do this. Learn even more tips and tricks on how to shred chicken.
How to Freeze
I like to freeze the chicken in portions that I will use for dinner. So think about casseroles, salads or other recipes and freeze in portions you can use.
This will make meal time even easier when everything is frozen in the portions you need. Plus, you will be less tempted to get take out knowing you have something so easy to make for dinner. Having the chicken already cooked and shredded is a huge time saver.
Tip: Anytime we have leftover baked chicken, poached chicken or rotisserie chicken, it goes in the freezer! Save it for a meal later.
Frequently Asked Questions
Typically I always boil my chicken from frozen. It is just as easy and no pre-planning. Just take out of the freezer and following the instructions.
If you chicken frozen, I usually add an additional 15 minutes to my cook time. It will depend on how large your chicken breast are.
Storing shredded juicy chicken is so easy. I tried to keep the shredded chicken that I have prepared in the same container that everyone in my family knows is available to eat. This way they know that I am not using for another meal.
Just keep in the refrigerator in a large gallon size ziplock bag or an air container. If you are using for separate meals, separate the chicken into the specific bag for that meal. It keeps you organize and meal time will be a breeze.
To boil chicken it usually takes about 20 minutes. If you are boiling frozen chicken, it may require to boil chicken an additional 15 minutes.
Boiled Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Enchilada Foil Pack
- Easy Chicken Salad
- Buffalo Chicken Wonton Cups
- Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos Recipe
- Balsamic Pulled Chicken Sliders
Check out more ideas in our What to Make with Shredded Chicken.
More Cooking Tips
If this How to Boil Chicken Breasts recipe has helped you, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love hearing from you.
How to Boil Chicken
Ingredients
- 2-3 lbs Chicken Breasts approximately 3-4 chicken breasts
- 4 cups Chicken Broth
- 1 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large stock pot. Season with the salt and pepper.
- Pour the chicken broth over the top. Add more water until chicken is completely covered in the stock pot.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium high heat.
- Once the mixture is boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover.
- Cook until the chicken is cooked through (chicken will be completely white when cooked) and reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. This generally take approximately 20-30 minutes depending on the size and quantity of the chicken breasts that you are cooking.
- Remove chicken, shred and enjoy!
This is the best way to boil chicken! I never successfully boiled chicken until I started using this recipe. The other recipes I found online were fast, but the chicken was rather tasteless and tough. THIS is the way to make great-tasting, tender chicken. I use it all the time!
My mom always used boiled chicken to make her wonderful beer-battered chicken.
When I Boil my chicken I always freeze the liquid to use later if I am not using it right away. We make Chicken and noodles, chicken and rice, chicken and dressing, mexican chicken casserole, buffalo chicken casserole,etc. So many dishes you can make.
Sounds yummy, and a great way to save time.
I have not tried it yet, but plan to. There are so many things to use it for! Tacos, salads, casseroles, skillets. So many options!
I plan to try this because it sounds like a convenient way to have chicken ready for sandwiches, soft tacos & other quick meals.
Chicken Alfredo
Yes, I have made this recipe and the shredded chicken turns out with a wonderful flavor! We have used it to make wonderful chicken salad as we love it on toast! I have also used this shredded chicken in what we call “Bow Tie” which is we boil the bow tie noodles in the broth from boiling the chicken, then drain reserving some of the broth, add 1 can cream of chicken soup and 1 can of cream of mushrooms, some sliced mushroom and add the shredded chicken back to the pot. Wonderful meal and meal stretcher! Thanks for all your recipes you share.
Taste great!
I love having chicken ready made ahead of time for my weight loss meals. Prep and go so quickly. The chicken is great for my salads
Such an easy way to make a great staple. I love doing this on Sunday night while getting lunches prepped. It gives me a quick and easy base for those wild weeknights. Also great to use on top of a salad or make chicken salad for quick and easy lunches. Our fav dinner recipes are crack chicken, bbq chicken sliders and chicken quesadillas.
I love having boiled chicken ready in the fridge. It’s so helpful to have for quick and meals. My favorite to make is enchiladas or chicken & dumplings. 🙂
I love to make chicken and rice casserole with the cooked chicken
This is a great way to cook the chicken breasts to make Arroz con Pollo (a delicious Latin dish). It can be cooked as a one-pot recipe too, which I absolutely love. Less dishes to wash!
I’ve tried this and its amazing.
oops definitely a 5 star
this is so easy and tastes so good! easy for meal prep to help making weeknight meals much easier
Forgot to post my rating for this excellent quick and easy recipe.
Great way to get your chicken ready for any recipe! I usually do several batches, shred and put in freezer for future recipes and meals.
I love to have cooked chicken on hand. Our favorite cuisine is Mexican. There are many possibilities with shredded chicken. Tacos, Burritos, Enchiladas, etc. Thank you for this easy way to prepare it and store it for future use!
I love to batch cook this on the weekend to add to meals all week.
Yes! I have boiled the chicken in broth and used it for chicken noodle soup.
Your boiling chicken is great and so easy to do. The flavor is so yummy and can be used in so many ways.
I would freeze boiled chicken and thaw as needed for chicken salad, tacos or casseroles!
I have made this several times. It’s so easy and comes out great every times. I always keep plenty on hand because it goes in so many things.
My favorite was to boil chicken too. I make my chicken salad with it.
I love the convenience of cooking my chicken to use in many different recipes. It makes meal time so quick and easy! Thanks!
I used shredded chicken all the time – chicken spaghetti, chicken salad, tacos, etc. It’s great having some already cooked for those days I have a hard time figuring out something for dinner.
I have always boiled chicken like this. My family loves it when I put it into a ziti bake with cheese on top.
I love cooking chicken ahead. Always add tops of celery, carrots and some parsley. Makes wonderful stock. Like you gave me a time frame thanks
I have boiled chicken breast this way several times for many recipes. Th most recent one I made was chicken and dumplings, so delicious. I also made your chicken enchiladas recipe, my family just loved it.
I love this recipe! I use it to make chicken and Dumplings and chicken salad..
Thank you for the recipes!
Great idea for chicken tacos, too!
I have cooked this chicken breast meat recipe. Its a snap and so handy on the following days to make a totally different quick meal from. I love the convenience and it doesn’t take long to cook a fair amount to a tender stage.
I boil chicken breasts shred and mix with bbq sauce, then put on slider buns and brush top of rolls with melted butter mixed with garlic powder. Cover with foil and bake til heated through about 5-10 minutes. Delicious
Sounds good. I usually put celery, onions sometimes carrots and water with seasonings and herbs. Keep the broth for other thing.
Enjoy getting the e-mails. There is always a recipe that I try. Look forward to the messages. Recipes are always good and a lot of great ideas.
I think you were reading my mind! I had chicken out for making my chicken potpie. I used your recipe to boil the chicken and it came out perfect! ?
I spend time on the weekend to prep food for the week ahead and I am adding this to my weekly prep! It kept the chicken moist and it was perfect! I was able to use the chicken on salad and soup. I will be searching your recipes for additional recipes to use the chicken for other meals.
Great recipe. After all these years I have never boiled chicken this way. This is a game changer, juicy and tender.
Just made chicken enchiladas and have enough to make BBQ chicken sliders for tomorrow.
I’ve used boiled shredded chicken breasts for many things including bbq shredded chicken sandwiches, chicken tortilla soup, chicken salad, and chicken burritos. One of the versatile ingredients there are.
Sometimes it’s nice to not have something spicey but easy to use. Great for simple sandwiches.
Thanks for your recipe for Boiling Chicken. My chicken came out absolutely delicious and so moist!
Love your posts!?
I love when I can prep steps early in the week to make things quicker to get dinner on the table after school! This would be great for chicken quesadillas after baseball practice- we always seem to have leftover tortillas and cheese in the fridge.
I haven’t tried this recipe yet but I’m going to I would use it in chicken salad for chicken sandwiches or just to pick at it for a snack
This was a very easy way to cook ( boil) chicken I really havent boil chicken much but I will now thank you lady’s…Made chicken. Salad sandwich out of it and chicken noodle soup..Easy easy thank you
Thanks for the tips. Looks easy and great for recipes!
I have boiled chicken with veggies carrots, celery and onions for chicken and dumplings oR add homemade noodles for chicken and noodles.
I use this chicken for chicken casserole and homemade chicken salad
Does this many times. Very good! So easy!
Have tried this and I use the chicken for making a chicken casserole and homemade chicken salad
I liked aDing parsley and dill. I use it for chicken salad and quesadillas.
This is a quick and easy way to have chicken ready to go for fast weekday meals! I use this recipe to make chicken for taquitos and freeze some to have on hand to throw into soups and casseroles.
I love making chicken salad this way.
I boil chicken all the time. From freezer to my pot. It’s very healthy because you control the salt. You can add more seasons after you are done later on. I have some in my refrigerator now.
I loved the recipe I followed your recipe than made chicken noodle soup ! My family loved it !
This is a great way to prep chicken ahead of time for the week or to freeze. I didn’t know the trick about using the hand mixer to shred it—fabulous idea!
You can make a delish sandwich spread with boiled chicken!
Excellent instructions. Great way to break away from boiling in simple water, adds a lot of flavor to your bite. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this recipe. It has save me time and helped avoid waste. Will definitely be using it again.
I boil whole chickens regularly, using the cooked meat for sandwiches, chicken fried rice, chicken pot pie, and chicken and mushroom pasta. I freeze the broth that’s produced to use in soups, curries and chili.
This is a lifesaver!!! We use for lunches, chicken salad, burritos and so much more!
soooo easy and so many uses…
I love to make quesadillas ..and make aLot even tho’ it’s just me!!
I love making homemade chicken salad with boiled chicken ?? quick and easy lunch or dinner
I use this all the time ,I make chicken tacos. chicken rice casserole, chicken salad both with mayo or green salad
I just made this! So easy and tastes great. Thank You!
Yes you want to cool it first. Then you can freeze it in freezer bags. You can freeze with liquid or without. I tend to freeze without so I can add what I need to make my recipe.
All your chicken meals ideas look yummy. I either missed or didn’t see how you freeze your shredded chicken after cooking.
Please provide steps.
Do you cool it first? Do you freeze in liquid?
Thank you