Want flavorful and tender chicken for lunch or dinner? Boiling chicken thighs is the way to go. It’s one of the easiest and healthiest ways to prepare chicken recipes. You don’t even need to add any other oil or fry the chicken.
In this post, we will share the exact steps to perfectly boil chicken, so it comes out juicy and flavorful.
How Long Do Chicken Thighs Take to Boil?
Chicken thighs (boneless) take around 15 to 20 minutes to boil. However, if you are using bone-in chicken, it will take longer, around 25 to 30 minutes. Bone-in frozen chicken thighs will take even longer to boil, averaging around 45 to 50 minutes. Boneless frozen chicken thighs take around 30 minutes to boil fully.
The time period mentioned here is for medium chicken thighs. If you have large thighs, expect the boiling process to take more time. If, on the other hand, they are small, boiling will take less time.
Also Read: How Long To Cook Chicken Fries in Air Fryer?
Boiling Chicken Thighs the Right Way
Boiling chicken thighs perfectly isn’t complicated. You just need the right ingredients and equipment.
Ingredients
- Fresh, bone-in, or frozen chicken thighs. They have more flavour than boneless chicken thighs.
- Half a teaspoon of kosher salt. Alternatively, use one chicken bouillon cube.
- Herbs and spices
Equipment
- Medium or large stainless-steel pot with a lid.
- Slotted spoon or tongs to remove the boiled chicken thighs from the water.
- A meat thermometer to determine whether the chicken is perfectly cooked or not.
Instructions
- Put all the chicken pieces in the pot. Ideally, you must be able to accommodate all the pieces in a single utensil.
- Sprinkle salt on the chicken thighs.
- Add other seasoning and herbs.
- Fill the pot with enough water so the chicken is completely covered.
- Put the utensil on high heat and let it boil.
- When it starts boiling, cover the pot with a lid. Let it simmer on low-medium heat for about 20 to 50 minutes, depending on whether you have bone-in or boneless meat.
- Use the meat thermometer to check if the internal temperature has reached 165°C for boneless meat or 175°C for bone-in meat.
- If you see a grey foam while the chicken thighs are boiling, skim it off.
Can You Overcook Chicken While Boiling?
Yes, you can overcook chicken while boiling if you are not cautious about the time. That is why it is recommended to use a meat thermometer and stop boiling when the internal temperature reaches 165°C. Alternatively, take a skewer and insert it in the thickest part of the chicken thighs. If the juices run clear, the chicken is fully cooked.
Overcooked chicken thighs have a rubbery texture. Also, if you insert the skewer and find that the juice runs pink, you need to boil it more. Another indication of overcooked chicken thighs is the meat in the thickest part has a pink color. If, upon cutting the thighs at this part, the meat is white, it means that it is fully cooked.
Chicken Thighs Tough After Boiling? Here’s Why
Your chicken thighs can come out tough and not tender after boiling when it is overcooked. Remember that the temperature at which vegetables boil is not suitable for chicken thighs. So, if instead of 165°C, your chicken thighs have reached a temperature of 212°F, it will damage the protein structure of the chicken. This will make them hard and dry.
If you’ve ended up with hard chicken thighs, here are some methods that will help you improve its texture.
- Marinate the boiled chicken in broth or sauce for some time. This will hydrate the meat and make it more flavorful.
- Steam the chicken in a steamer basket over a pot of simmering water. Cover it with a lid and steam for a few minutes.
- Shred chicken thighs if they are too hard to be eaten in the present state.
- Add acids like vinegar or lemon juice to break down the chicken’s muscle fibers and make it tender.
Must Read: How Long to Deep Fry Chicken Tenders at 375?
How to Reheat Chicken Thighs?
You can reheat chicken thighs in the oven, microwave, and the stove.
Oven
- Turn the oven to 350°F.
- Place the chicken in a baking dish and add a cup of water or broth. Now, cover with a foil.
- Bake for 15 minutes and remove the foil. Then bake for another 5 minutes till the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Microwave
- Place the chicken pieces in a microwave-safe dish.
- Bring back moisture by adding a tablespoon of water.
- Take a damp paper towel and cover the dish. Heat for 2 minutes and flip the pieces.
- Now, heat in 30-second intervals till the chicken has an internal temperature of 165°F.
Stove
- Take a skillet and pour adequate water to cover the entire bottom part.
- Now, set it over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and lower the heat to medium.
- Cover with a lid and cook till the temperature reaches 165°F. This will take approximately 6 minutes.
- Now, remove from the heat.
Can You Boil Chicken Thighs in a Slow Cooker?
Yes, you can boil chicken thighs in a slow cooker. However, the process will take a considerably longer time and requires the use of oil. If you really want to go the slow cooker way, follow these instructions.
- Season the chicken with garlic powder, onion powder, and salt.
- Pat dry the chicken and then rub the spice mixture over the thighs.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat.
- Now, put the chicken skin side down onto it and pan-fry for about 5 minutes. The skins should turn crispy.
- Transfer the thighs onto the slow cooker in one layer.
- Put butter, pour chicken broth, and season garlic onto the slow cooker. Now, cover it with a lid and cook the chicken for five hours in low heat.
- Finally, add salt and garnish with parsley.
Summing Up
To enjoy perfectly tender and juicy chicken thighs, you must boil them for the correct amount of time. Overcooking or undercooking will cause them to lose their texture and flavor. Hopefully, you now have a better idea of how long to boil chicken thighs. Use the tips and instructions to create delicious chicken thigh recipes at home.
