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    Home » Chicken Thighs » Boiled Chicken Thighs (How to Boil Chicken thighs)

    Boiled Chicken Thighs (How to Boil Chicken thighs)

    Published: Apr 23, 2021 · Modified: Dec 3, 2021 by Kemi · This post may contain affiliate links ·

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    Boiled chicken thighs recipe can't be easier than this easy, simple, quick one that shows you how to boil chicken thighs perfectly. It comes out flavorful, tender, juicy, and delicious.

    5 pieces of boiled chicken thighs in a grey plate.

    Whether you're boiling chicken thighs for family dinner, this recipe is all you need to get flavor-packed, delicious chicken. No bland or tough chicken here. 

    We like to boil chicken and use for stews or keep it in the fridge to be able to cut or shred it so we can have it ready to use in quick meals like salads and sandwiches anytime we need to.

    Boiled Chicken Thighs Recipe

    This boiled chicken thighs recipe can be used for skinless boneless chicken thighs or bone in. It's one of the easiest recipe and you can't go wrong with this.

    Chicken thighs are dark meat that is flavorful and cheap and for boiling, I personally prefer using bone-in as they come out more flavorful and give the best broth ever but like I wrote above, you can use this recipe for either.

    Also, you can use frozen chicken, but I advise you to thaw it first. You can thaw it overnight in the fridge or to quickly thaw, put it in cool water.

    You don't have to own an oven, air fryer, or instant pot to eat a good chicken dinner. This was done on the stovetop and takes 20 minutes to cook.

    Eat as it is simply boiled, or broil, grill, shred, or glaze with sauce after boiling. It can be paired with most side dishes like potatoes, rice, vegetables. 

    This is a step by step guide on how to boil chicken thighs. The tools required are a pot with a lid and a fork.

    the cooked dish served on a plate with pot in the background.

    Ingredients

    The detailed ingredient list, measurements, and directions are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Chicken thighs - Bone in or skinless and boneless.

    Onion

    Curry powder

    Salt

    Water

    Chicken vibes chicken seasoning- If you don't have this in your kitchen cupboard don't worry just use the below-listed spices and herbs. If you'd like to make yours here's the simple chicken seasoning recipe. It takes just 5 minutes to put together.

    Thyme

    Black pepper

    Garlic granules

    Parsley

    ingredients for the recipe displayed.

    How to Boil Chicken Thighs

    Place the chicken thighs in a pot and cover with water. Let the water be at least 1-2 inches above the chicken.

    Add in salt, curry powder, the seasonings, and onion. Chop the onions or cut into at least 6 parts before adding to the water so the water gets its full flavor.

    Cover the pot with it's lid and boil chicken on medium heat for 20 minutes.

    picture collage of the step by step of cooking it.

    After this time, check if it's cooked through and then remove the thighs from the water.

    Wait! Don't throw the water away..this broth is golden and very useful! Check tips below on how to use it.

    Serve immediately or you can then broil or grill the chicken if desired.

    How long to boil chicken thighs

    To boil boneless chicken thighs- For 5 pieces which is about 1kg (2lb), This will take 10-15 minutes. If you will be shredding the chicken, you can add additional 5 minutes so it's very tender and quick to shred. This is based on using fresh and not frozen chicken.

    To boil bone in chicken thighs - For 5 pieces, using this recipe, it will take 15- 20 minutes. This depends on the size of the chicken and bigger ones will take longer to cook. If you are going to broil or grill afterward you can take few minutes of this time as long as you are sure it's cooked through. This is based on using fresh or fully thawed chicken thighs.

    the cooked chicken served on a grey coloured plate.

    How To Boil it in a Microwave

    You can boil chicken thighs in the microwave If you are left with no option than to do this. Here's how to do it:

    Add all the ingredients and water to a microwave-safe bowl.

    Cook on high for 15 minutes or till cooked through. If it's not cooked through at this time, add additional minutes and check every 5 minutes till it's done.

    Check with instant thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is at least 75C/165F as that is when it is safe to eat.

    How to Serve and What to use for

    Serve with rice, potatoes, vegetables.

    You can brush with sauce like buffalo sauce, bbq sauce, peri peri sauce, and any other of your favorite.

    Use in soups, salads, sandwiches, tacos, wraps.

    Shred and use chicken for food like sandwiches.

    Use in pot pies, chicken fried rice, and recipes that require it.

    served plate and the pot with broth in the background.

    How To Store

    When it's completely cooled, pack it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. You can reheat it on the stove, or in the microwave.

    If reheating on the stove, add some water in a pot, put the chicken, cover the pot and let it steam for 5 minutes or till heated through.

    If reheating in the microwave, cook on high heat for 2 minutes or till heated through. Be careful not to let them dry out.

    Pro Tips

    • Clean all tools used to cut or clean the raw chicken.
    • Ideally the chicken should be about the same in size so they cook evenly.
    • Let water cover the chicken so all parts are cooked evenly. The smaller the chicken parts, the quicker they cook. If using hard chicken, boiling will take longer so adjust time accordingly. 
    • Place the chicken in a single layer so they cook evenly, Use the water from boiling to cook rice, chicken and add flavor to other dishes. 
    • Check after the cooking time and if needs more time, check it every 3 minutes.
    • It's important to cook the chicken thouroughly to prevent food poisoning or foodborne disease. To determine if the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be at least 165F/75C. 
    • Leave the chicken to rest in it's broth for 5 minutes after cooking. I have found this to enhance the flavor.
    • It's important to season the water you'll cook the chicken in well with salt so chicken doesn't taste saltless. You'd want the water to taste salty.
    • You can add vegetables like carrot to boil with the chicken at the same time. It intensifies flavor.
    • You can also add bayleaves but i add bouillon cube instead as it intensifies the flavour.
    • Cover the pot with it's lid to lock in flavour, and allow the chicken to cook quickly and evenly.
    • You can skim off the fat from the broth before using.
    • Add cornflour slurry to the broth to make gravy or save to use for recipes that requires broth.
    • If shredding the chicken, leave to rest and cool for 10 minutes before you shred.
    5 pieces of boiled chicken thighs on a plate.

    More Recipes

    Simple Chicken seasoning

    Spicy chicken drumsticks

    Teriyaki chicken thighs

    Thanks for visiting. If you find this post helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave a comment below. If you don't want to miss any of our posts Subscribe to the blog for free weekly recipes in your email. Also, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest.

    5 pieces of boiled chicken thighs in a grey plate.

    Boiled Chicken Thighs (How to Boil Chicken Thighs)

    Kemi
    Boiled chicken thighs recipe can't be easier than this easy, simple, quick one that shows you how to boil chicken thighs perfectly. It comes out flavorful, tender, juicy, and delicious.
    5 from 14 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 20 mins
    Course Main Course
    Cuisine American, British
    Servings 5
    Calories 387 kcal

    Equipment

    • Pot with a lid
    • Fork

    Ingredients
      

    • 5 pieces (1kg) Chicken thighs bone in or skinless and boneless chicken thighs
    • 1 medium Onion chopped
    • 1 tablespoon Curry powder
    • 1 5g Boillion cube optional
    • Salt to taste
    • 1 tablespoon Chicken vibes chicken seasoning or use the below to season. see notes below.
    • 1 teaspoon Paprika
    • 1 teaspoon Thyme
    • ¼ teaspoon Garlic powder
    • ½ teaspoon Parsley
    • ¼ teaspoon Oregano
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper or cayenne or chili pepper.

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken thighs in a pot and cover with water. Let the water be at least 1-2 inches above the chicken.
    • Add in salt, curry powder, the seasonings, and onion. Chop the onions or cut into at least 6 parts before adding to the water so the water gets its full flavtes.
    • Cover the pot with it's lid and boil chicken on medium heat for 20 minutes.
    • After this time, check if it's cooked through and then remove the thighs from the water.
      Wait! Don't throw the water away..this broth is golden and very useful! Check tips below on how to use it.
    • Serve immediately or you can then broil or grill the chicken if desired.

    Notes

    Tips (More important tips in the main post)
    Get the recipe for Simple chicken seasoning. It takes just 5 minutes to make. 
    • Ideally the chicken should be about the same in size so they cook evenly.
    • Let water cover the chicken so all parts are cooked evenly. The smaller the chicken parts, the quicker they cook.
    • If using hard chicken, boiling will take longer so adjust time accordingly.
    • Place the chicken in a single layer so they cook evenly.
    • Use the water from boiling to cook rice, chicken and add flavor to other dishes.
    • Check after the cooking time and if needs more time, check it every 3 minutes.
    • It's important to cook the chicken thoroughly to prevent food poisoning or foodborne disease like
    • To determine if the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. It should be at least 165F/75C.
    • Leave the chicken to rest in its broth for 5 minutes after cooking. I have found this to enhance the flavor.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 387kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 28gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 167mgSodium: 133mgPotassium: 408mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 198IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 2mg
    Keyword boiled chicken thighs recipe, how long to boil chicken thighs, how to boil chicken thighs
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    « Simple Chicken Seasoning Recipe
    Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Recipe »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Bunmi says

      November 23, 2021 at 8:51 am

      5 stars
      I am glad I found this recipe. I tried it and I have used it ever since. Thank you for sharing

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        November 24, 2021 at 12:30 pm

        This is good to know. Thanks for the feedback.

        Reply
    2. BT says

      November 23, 2021 at 1:43 pm

      5 stars
      Will definitely try this. It’s the holiday season and I need to try something different!!!!

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        November 23, 2021 at 2:01 pm

        Thank you. Looking forward to your feedback when you've tried it.

        Reply
    3. brooke says

      December 01, 2021 at 12:16 am

      5 stars
      What a lovely dish. Can you please tell how much rosemary is needed? Thanks!

      Reply
    4. Janet says

      July 13, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      5 stars
      Just what I needed to pre-cook chicken for chicken salad. Quick, flavorful, and it didn't heat up my whole house by using the oven. I added onion, some leftover carrots and celery, plus salt and a couple bay leaves. Planning to freeze the broth for later. Thanks for the helpful tips!

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        July 21, 2022 at 4:19 pm

        This is good to know. Thank you for the feedback.

        Reply
    5. Debra Hillebrand says

      August 21, 2022 at 12:59 am

      5 stars
      Great recipe/instructions. Next time we plan to buy in a larger quantity and freeze! Easy and perfect to include in our salad recipe! Thank you!

      Reply
    6. Jennifer Macias says

      September 22, 2022 at 1:13 am

      5 stars
      Was delicious! I didn’t have any curry but I used all of the other spices listed with onion. I used the broth to make a quick cooking brown rice. The broth was so good that I’m freezing it to use again. Thank you!

      Reply
      • Kemi says

        September 26, 2022 at 3:59 pm

        Thanks so much you for this feedback.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Kemi,

    Welcome to ChickenVibes. Here on Chicken Vibes, you will find easy, tasty chicken recipes that i and my family make and eat.

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