How to Boil a Whole Chicken

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Learning how to cook a whole chicken is a great skill to keep in your pocket, especially if you want to eat clean or meal prep! This poached chicken is flavorful, juicy and easy to turn into a one-pot meal.

Not only is poached chicken healthy, juicy, and delicious, but you can use it in so many different ways. Try it in any recipe that calls for shredded or roasted chicken. If you’re looking for another great way to prepare chicken, try this Shredded Chicken in the Instant Pot!

Best Poached Chicken

Talk about poached chicken. If you thought it came out stretchy and tasteless, think again. Boiling chicken is actually one of my favorite ways to prepare it! Every time I use this recipe, the chicken turns out juicy, fork tender, and absolutely delicious.

So why cook a whole chicken instead of just breasts or thighs? There are several reasons. One, when you cook a whole chicken, the bones, skin, and connective tissue infuse the broth with incredible flavor. The result is a broth full of goodness, which in turn brings a savory flavor to whatever vegetables you cook with. Second, the skin and bones are the natural barriers that keep all the moisture in, making your chicken tastier and more tender. three, Check out that intro!

ingredients you need

In addition to a whole chicken and spices, feel free to throw in any veggies you have in the freezer! They become delicious when cooked in the chicken’s natural broth. For exact measurements, check out the recipe card below.

• Whole chicken with bones: The chicken I used weighed about 6 lbs. You may need to adjust the cooking time slightly depending on the size of chicken you are using.
• Yellow Onion: Chopped yellow onions are a must for any hearty dish.
• Whole carrots: Cut into 2-inch pieces. Is there anything better than shredded carrots cooked in broth? They are so tender and flavorful!
• Celery sticks: These also turn out nice and tender when cooked. Stews and roasts are some of the best ways to get your daily dose of vegetables.
• Whole garlic cloves: Have a savory bite.
• Fresh Herbs: Adding fresh herbs is easy. They add the best flavors and aromas! I used fresh parsley, thyme and rosemary.
• Salt: Helps enhance the flavor of boiled chicken.
• Whole peppercorns: Adding these is another great way to season your chicken.

how long to cook a whole chicken

Cooking a whole chicken is super easy. Just add all the ingredients to a large pot and let it do its thing! I love how hands-off this recipe is. It gives you plenty of time to make some side dishes, or just watch a few episodes of your favorite TV show!

1. Add the chicken to the pot, and cover with the herbs and vegetables: Place the chicken in the bottom of a large stock pot. Then add the rest of the ingredients on top of and around the chicken.
2. Cover with water and bring to a boil: Cover everything completely with water and bring to a boil over high heat.
3. simmer: Once your water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for 2-3 hours. Cooking time depends on the size of the chicken. When done, the internal temperature of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Serve: Carefully remove the whole chicken from the pan. Then shred and debone the chicken and use it as the recipe calls for.
5. To preserve chicken stock: Strain the chicken broth and save for later!