Poached chicken breast is a delicious and healthy option for all of my fellow G-Free Foodies and home cooks. It's a great option to avoid dry, rubbery chicken that can be a common issue when cooking chicken breast. Check out this step-by-step guide on how to poach chicken breast that will always be a crowd pleaser!
We took chicken-poaching 101 from this amazing just-like-Chinese-takeout soup recipe, and I love to make large batches to have for snacking and salads (which is huge for me now that I'm back on the low carb bandwagon).
What is poached chicken?
Poached chicken is chicken that is cooked in a simmering liquid, typically water or broth. Unlike other cooking methods, such as grilling or roasting, poaching is a gentle method that helps to keep the chicken moist and tender. The cooking liquid, which is often seasoned, can also add flavor to the chicken.
What are the health benefits of poached chicken?
Before we dive into the step-by-step guide, let's talk about why poached chicken breast is a healthy choice. First and foremost, it's a low-fat option. Unlike fried chicken, which is cooked in oil or fat, poached chicken is cooked in water. This means that you're not adding any extra fat to the chicken, making it a healthy option for those looking to watch their fat intake.
Why poach chicken breasts?
There are several reasons why you should try poached chicken breast. Here are a few:
- It's healthy: Poached chicken is a lean protein option that is low in fat and calories. It's a great choice for those following a low-carb or low-fat diet.
- It's quick and easy: Poaching chicken breast is a simple process that requires just a few minutes of active cooking time. It's a great option for busy weeknights or when you want to make a healthy meal without spending a lot of time in the kitchen.
- It's versatile: Poached chicken breast can be used in a variety of dishes, from salads and sandwiches to soups and casseroles. You can also slice or shred it and use it as a topping for salads or grain bowls.
- It's gluten-free: Because it's cooked in water or broth, poached chicken breast is naturally gluten-free. This makes it a great option for those with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.
How to poach chicken breast: ingredients
- Chicken breast, boneless and skinless (or thighs)
- Salt
- Bay leaf
- Garlic
- Fresh or dried herbs
How to poach chicken breast: step-by-step guide
If you're looking for a simple, tasty way to cook chicken that's easy on the stomach and good for you, then you're in the right place. In this blog post, I will explain how to poach chicken breast, including a step-by-step guide and some tips for making the most tender, flavorful poached chicken.
- Just cover the chicken with heavily salted water (Iโm estimating 3-4 Tablespoons) and add a bay leaf and several shakes of granulated garlic. (That is my go-to seasoning but fresh garlic and most herbs will work well).
- Bring to a gentle boil, then turn down and simmer 10 minutes. Turn off the stove and let stand in hot water, covered, another 10 minutes.
- Drain and let it cool to touch, then slice or shred depending on how you plan to use it.
Poached Chicken: Perfectly Done
Ingredients
- 2 LBS Chicken breast or thighs boneless, skinless is easiest
- 3-4 tablespoon salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon granulated garlic or use 7-8 fresh garlic cloves, halved
- fresh or dried herbs to your taste
- water to cover
Instructions
- Place the chicken in a large stock pot or saucepan and add enough filtered water just to cover. Add the salt, a bay leaf and granulated garlic or halved fresh garlic cloves, and any other herbs you'd like to add.
- Bring the water to a gentle boil, then turn down and simmer 10 minutes, covered.
- Turn off the heat and let the chicken stand in hot water, covered, another 10 minutes.
- Drain and let it cool to touch, then slice or shred depending on how you plan to use the chicken.
Notes
Nutrition
Can you poach duck breasts?
Yes, skinless, boneless duck breasts poach beautifully, producing tender, moist meat. The most important part of poaching duck breast is seasoning the poaching liquid correctly and getting the cook time correct. You can follow our poached chicken breast recipe for small to medium duck breasts, and increase the simmering time to 14 minutes for large duck breasts.
Our favorite way to cook duck breasts with skin on is the brining method. Learn how to brine and cook duck breasts here.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to poach chicken breast:
Around 20 minutes.
Although boiling chicken in water or broth is part of both techniques, there is a significant distinction between them. Poaching is carried out at a temperature significantly lower than boiling. The outcomes are considerably better: juicy, tender chickenโthan with other chicken cooking techniques.
Yes, you should cover the chicken when poaching.
Check out these other chicken recipes:
The Best Fried Rice Recipe: Ming Tsai's Chicken Fried Rice
Why is this the best fried rice recipe? The chicken is flavorful and juicy, with layers of flavor from scallions, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. The scrambled egg pieces are my favorite. Fried rice isn't fried rice until there are pieces of egg in it, which I go out of my way to find and devour first. Plus, it's direct from Chef Ming Tsai!
Easy + Crunchy Baked Chicken Strips
These Crunchy Baked Chicken Strips are incredibly easy to make, kid friendly, and an adult favorite too! Serve them up with your favorite sauces, or add them to wraps or salads too.
They are baked, not fried, making them super simple to prepare, and with no oily frying mess. It also makes them healthier and easier to reheat. I actually like them at room temperature too.
Grilled Chicken Marinade and Easy Grilled Chicken for Salad
This Grilled Chicken Marinade recipe is a simple lesson in intuitive cooking. It isn't a fussy recipe, just basic pantry ingredients like olive oil, lemon juice, zest, coarse kosher salt, black pepper, and chile powder. But, this recipe produces the best Grilled Chicken for salads, sandwiches, and wraps.
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