Boiled Whole Chicken (How To Boil Whole Chicken)
This boiled whole chicken recipe will show you how to boil whole chicken that is tender, juicy, flavorful, and delicious. This recipe is easy, straightforward, and quick taking less than 60 minutes to cook. It can then be shredded, fried whole, roasted, or baked after boiling.
Boiled Whole Chicken Recipe
This boiled whole chicken recipe is easy, quick and so simple that even a beginner cook can perfectly make it.
The whole chicken is boiled in flavorful juice to produce moist, juicy, tender, and delicious meat.
This is an inexpensive and budget-friendly method of cooking whole chicken.
It is simple and minimal prep is required to make it. In fact, you only have to clean the chicken, season, and boil.
The broth you get from boiling whole chicken is packed full of flavors and tasty. It can be used to make soups, gravy, rice dishes, and any other recipe that requires chicken broth.
Pre boiling whole chicken cuts down on cooking time If frying, baking, or grilling the chicken afterward. You are also sure of getting thoroughly cooked chicken.
Related posts – Boiled chicken legs, how to boil chicken thighs, boiled chicken wings.
Ingredients
Whole chicken
Onion
Thyme
Curry powder
Black pepper
Salt
Bay leaves (Optional)
You can also use any of these seasonings for the chicken:
How To Boil Whole Chicken
Remove any giblets inside the chicken.
Put the whole chicken in a pot. Add thyme, curry powder, black pepper, onions, bay leaves, and salt.
Add water into the pot to be on the same level as the chicken or an inch above the chicken.
Cover the pot and leave the chicken to boil on medium then low heat for 45 minutes or until well cooked.
When it is cooked, take the chicken out of the broth.
Leave it to rest for 10 minutes before serving it. You can go ahead and bake, broil or grill the chicken.
How Long to Boil Whole Chicken
To boil whole chicken that is 1.2 – 1.5kg, it will take 45 minutes. If you will be shredding the chicken, you can add additional 5 minutes so it’s very tender and quick to shred.
Whole chicken between 1.6kg-2kg – It takes between 45-60 minutes
How long to boil a 2kg – 2.5kg chicken is between 60- 90 minutes.
If you are going to fry or bake the chicken afterward, you can take few minutes of this cooking time as long as chicken is well cooked.
Check with an instant thermometer to ensure the internal temperature is at least 75C/165F as that is when it is safe to eat.
What To Serve With
Boiled potatoes
Gravy
Boiled carrots
Sauteed vegetables
How To Store
To store boiled whole chicken, leave it to cool completely, then put it in an airtight container or Ziploc, then store in the fridge where it will keep fresh for up to 3 days, or store it in the freezer for longer up to 6 months.
You can reheat whole chicken on the stove, in the microwave, air fryer, or oven.
To reheat on the stove, add a cup of water in a pot, and bring to boil. Put the chicken wings in the boiling water, cover the pot and let it cook for 3 minutes or till it’s heated through.
To reheat in the microwave, put on a microwave-safe plate, cover, and cook on high heat for 3 minutes or till heated through.
Use Leftovers in stews, curries, sauces, salads, wraps.
Tips For Whole Boiled Chicken
- Check the chicken for doneness after the cooking time and if it needs additional time, add and check it at 3 minutes intervals.
- Ensure you cook the chicken thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. Use an instant read thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat. The internal temperature at the thickest part should be at least 165F/75C for it to be safe to eat.
- Leave the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes after boiling before cutting into it.
- Season the water properly and it should taste slightly salty so the chicken does not taste bland.
- It’s ok to add vegetables like celery and carrot.
How long does it take to boil a whole chicken?
Depending on the size, it takes between 45 – 90 minutes.
Is boiled chicken healthy?
Yes it is. It is high in protein, healthy, and delicious.
How long to boil a whole chicken per pound?
Boil for 15-20 minutes for every pound of chicken.
More Chicken Recipes
Frozen chicken breast in air fryer
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.
Boiled Whole Chicken (How To Boil Whole Chicken)
Equipment
- Pot
Ingredients
- 1 small Whole chicken
- 1 medium Onion
- 1/2 tablespoon Thyme
- 1 tablespoon Curry powder
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper
- Salt to taste
- 1-2 Bay leaves optional
Instructions
- Remove any giblets inside the chicken.Put the whole chicken in a pot. Add thyme, curry powder, black pepper, onions, bay leaves, and salt.
- Add water into the pot to be on the same level as the chicken or an inch above the chicken.
- Cover the pot and leave the chicken to boil on medium then low heat for 45-55 minutes or until well cooked.
- When it is cooked, take the chicken out of the broth.Leave it to rest for 10 minutes before serving it or you can go ahead and bake, broil or grill the chicken if you desire.
Notes
- Check the chicken for doneness after the cooking time and if it needs additional time, add and check it at 3 minutes intervals.
- Ensure you cook the chicken thoroughly to prevent food poisoning. Use an instant-read thermometer to check if the chicken is cooked through and safe to eat. The internal temperature at the thickest part should be at least 165F/75C for it to be safe to eat.
- Leave the chicken to rest for 10-15 minutes after boiling before cutting into it.
- Season the water properly and it should taste slightly salty so the chicken does not taste bland.
- It’s ok to add vegetables like celery and carrot.
