Learn how to poach chicken breasts in salted water for tender and juicy cooked chicken, perfect to use in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken. You can shred it for delicious Chicken Enchiladas, slice it to top a green salad, or cube it for a creamy chicken salad sandwich.
If you would rather make it in your Instant Pot, check out this recipe for All Purpose Instant Pot Chicken.
Poaching
Poaching is defined as cooking by simmering in a small amount of liquid. So in this recipe we are cooking chicken breasts with moist heat by simmering them in a small amount of water (or broth). You could also use part white wine for another flavor profile.
Step By Step How To Poach Chicken
- Start by cutting the chicken breasts in half lengthwise, so you end up with 2 thinner pieces of chicken.
- Place your chicken in large pot.
- Cover the chicken with cool water or broth by about an inch.
- Sprinkle the salt in the pot. Also add any aromatics you would like to use (bay leaf, peppercorns, lemon, garlic…).
- Over medium heat bring the water to a light simmer, not a full boil.
- Once it simmers turn the heat to LOW and cook the chicken in the hot liquid for about 10 minutes.
- Check the internal temperature, it should reach 165 degrees. If it isn’t quite at temp then leave it on the heat for another 5 minutes.
- Take the chicken out of the liquid and let it cool for about 5 minutes before cutting or shredding.
Shredding Chicken
If you want to use your chicken shredded try shredding it in your stand mixer! Place warm chicken (not cold chicken) in the bowl with the paddle attachment. Turn it on medium speed and it will shred up your chicken in about 30 seconds. There may still be a few large pieces you need to hand shred, but it is still quicker than the old 2 fork method.
NOTE: don’t run the mixer too long or it will turn your chicken into crumbles.
Recipes to Make with Poached Chicken
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How to Poach Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 2-4 fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts
- water - could use broth instead
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
Optional Aromatics
- bay leaf, black peppercorns, lemon wedges, smashed garlic, quartered onion, rosemary, thyme
Instructions
- Cut the chicken breasts in half, lengthwise, so you have two thinner chicken breasts.
- Place your chicken breasts in a large pot and fill with water or broth so that it covers the chicken by about 1 inch. Sprinkle in the salt. Add any aromatics you wish to use.
- Over medium heat bring to a slow simmer. When it comes to a simmer lower the heat to low and cook in the hot water for 10 minutes. Pro Tip: if your water gets a white foam on top, that is totally normal. It is called scum (I know, so gross) and is harmless. You can skim it off the top or leave it. But it does dry very sticky so wash your pot right away after poaching the chicken.
- Check the internal temp of the chicken and it should be at 165° to be fully cooked. If you haven't reached that yet, keep on the heat for another 5 minutes.
- Using a slotted spoon remove the chicken from the water.
- You can save the broth/cooking liquid and use in savory recipes that call for broth or water. The broth will also freeze well and can be kept in the freezer for 3 months.
Using Poached Chicken
- Let the chicken cool for 5-10 minutes. Then you can shred, cube, slice, or use whole. Use in any recipe that calls for cooked chicken.
- The poached chicken will stay good in the fridge for 4-5 days.
- You can freeze the cooled poached chicken for up to 3 months.
John says
The poached chicken in the BBQ slider recipe was so good!! Go poached chicken!