Chicken thighs can take between 20-50 minutes to boil depending on a few factors: whether they are bone-in or boneless and whether they are frozen or fresh.
Boiling is one of the easiest and healthiest methods to prepare chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks, without adding any oils or frying. The meat comes out juicy, flavorful, and tender.
If you are looking to try a different way to prepare chicken thighs, try ourair fried boneless chicken thighs.
You can also use bone-in chicken thighs and add more water and a few other things to make a rich broth.
You can go through this guide and learn how to boil chicken thighs with or without bones. The meat can be frozen or fresh.
And if you have an entire bird, you can choose to boil the chicken whole as it is.
Chicken thighs are an underappreciated cut of chicken that is packed with flavor. They are juicier and more tender than chicken breasts when properly cooked. One easy cooking method for chicken thighs is boiling. Boiling chicken thighs results in succulent, fall-off-the-bone meat that is great for soups, salads, sandwiches, and more. But knowing exactly how long to boil chicken thighs is key to getting the best results.
In this article, I’ll share my tips on how long you should boil chicken thighs based on whether they are bone-in or boneless I’ll also provide instructions on how to boil chicken thighs so they turn out moist and delicious
How Long to Boil Boneless Chicken Thighs
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are one of the quickest and easiest ways to prepare chicken thighs Since they don’t have bones, they cook faster than bone-in thighs.
On average, boneless chicken thighs take about 8-10 minutes to cook when boiling
Which time it takes will depend on how big and thick the thighs are. Smaller thighs without bones might only need 8 minutes to cook all the way through, while bigger ones might need more like 10 minutes.
Here are some tips for getting perfect boiled boneless chicken thighs:
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Choose thighs that are roughly the same size for even cooking. Mixing really small and large thighs means some will be over or undercooked.
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Put enough water in a big pot to cover the thighs by about 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
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Once boiling, use tongs to gently add the chicken thighs in a single layer. Boiling the thighs helps them cook evenly.
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Let the thighs boil for 30 seconds, then reduce the heat to low. The thighs should simmer gently, not boil rapidly.
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Simmer the thighs for 8-10 minutes, flipping halfway through. Check for doneness at 8 minutes.
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Chicken thighs are done when the internal temperature reaches 165°F. If needed, simmer another 1-2 minutes until fully cooked.
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Remove the chicken from the pot and enjoy! The cooking liquid can be strained and used as chicken broth.
Follow this easy process for boneless thighs that turn out juicy, flavorful, and perfectly cooked every time.
How Long to Boil Bone-In Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs with the bone in take a little longer to cook than boneless thighs. The bones help retain moisture, but also shield part of the meat from the boiling water.
Bone-in chicken thighs need about 15-20 minutes of boiling to fully cook.
As with boneless thighs, the exact time varies based on size. Smaller bone-in thighs may only need 15 minutes, while extra large thighs can take up to 20 minutes to cook through.
Here are some pointers for boiling great bone-in chicken thighs:
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Choose thighs that are similar in size for even cooking. If you mix really big and really small thighs, some will be too cooked or not cooked enough.
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Use a large pot and add enough cold water to cover the thighs by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat.
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Once boiling, gently add the thighs in a single layer. Let them boil for 1 minute.
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Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Flip thighs halfway through.
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Check temperature after 15 minutes. Thighs are done at 165°F. If needed, continue simmering until fully cooked through.
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When thighs are cooked, remove from the pot. The cooking liquid can be used like chicken broth.
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For extra flavor, add herbs, garlic, citrus, or spices to the cooking liquid. They’ll infuse the thighs with flavor.
Follow this simple process for juicy, fall-off-the-bone chicken thighs every time you boil them.
Tips for the Best Results When Boiling Chicken Thighs
Follow these tips for perfectly cooked chicken thighs, whether you boil them bone-in or boneless:
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Use a large pot – The thighs need room to simmer gently in the liquid. Use at least a 4-quart pot for up to 8 thighs.
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Add enough water to cover – Use about 1 inch of water above the top of the thighs so they can simmer evenly.
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Bring to a boil first – Boiling the thighs for the first 1-2 minutes helps them cook fast and evenly after.
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Turn the thighs – Flipping halfway through ensures the thighs cook evenly on both sides.
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Check temperature – Use an instant-read thermometer to check doneness. Chicken is safe to eat at 165°F.
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Simmer gently – After bringing to a boil, reduce heat and simmer. Rapid boiling can make the meat tough.
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Let rest before serving – Allow thighs to rest 5-10 minutes after cooking for the juices to redistribute.
How to Use Boiled Chicken Thighs
Once you’ve mastered boiled chicken thighs, you can use them in all sorts of recipes:
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Slice or shred the thighs to top salads, sandwiches, flatbreads, pizza, nachos, etc.
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Use in soups, stews, chilis, and curry dishes for added protein.
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Meal prep by boiling a batch of thighs to use throughout the week.
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Make chicken salad with boiled thighs, mayo, celery, and seasonings.
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Mix with barbecue sauce for quick pulled chicken sandwiches.
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Toss with buffalo sauce and serve as boneless wings with ranch or blue cheese dressing.
As you can see, knowing how to properly boil chicken thighs opens up lots of possibilities for easy, delicious meals. In just 15-20 minutes, you can have a batch of moist, fall-off-the-bone chicken thighs ready to use in your favorite recipes.
Common Questions About Boiling Chicken Thighs
Should you boil chicken thighs with or without skin?
This comes down to personal preference. Leaving the skin on helps keep the thigh meat moist and flavors the cooking liquid. However, removing the skin before boiling reduces fat and calories. Both methods work well.
Is it better to boil or bake chicken thighs?
Boiling chicken thighs is quicker and easier, but baking allows you to crisp up the skin. Boiled thighs are ideal when you want to shred or slice the meat for other recipes. Baked thighs are great for serving whole.
Can you boil frozen chicken thighs?
Yes, frozen chicken thighs can be boiled without thawing first. Add 1-2 minutes to the cooking time. Make sure thighs are completely submerged and boiling vigorously to cook frozen meat safely.
Should you sear chicken thighs before boiling?
It is not necessary to sear or brown chicken thighs before boiling. Skipping this step makes the process quicker and easier. However, searing does add nice color and flavor if you want.
Can you use the chicken thigh boiling liquid as broth?
Absolutely! Strain the cooking liquid after boiling thighs to remove any fat or bits of chicken. Then you can use it like you would chicken broth to make rice, soup bases, gravy, or sauces.
The Takeaway on Boiling Chicken Thighs
Other easy chicken recipes
What you will need
You will need only a few ingredients and some basic kitchen equipment to make this recipe. You will find the quantities in the recipe card at the end of this pots.
- You can use fresh, frozen, bone-in, boneless, or skinless chicken thighs. Bone-in and skin-on will taste better and be juicier, while boneless will be leaner. I like to shred the boneless kind and broil or use the bone-in kind in soups.
- Salt—do not add too much salt at this point; you can change it later. For every pound of chicken, I add about ½ teaspoon of salt.
- Herbs and spices—today I only added a bay leaf and whole peppercorns. You can switch up the herbs and spices if you want to use the stock.
- Pot or saucer pan—a big or small pot with a lid I prefer stainless steel. The medium-sized pot will work better because the water will boil faster, and you can then throw away the water.
- Tongs: Take the chicken out of the hot water using tongs or a slotted spoon.
- Thermometer: To make sure the chicken is fully cooked, I always suggest using a meat thermometer.
Step 1. Place fresh or frozen chicken in a pot, preferably in one layer. Make sure the pot is big enough to fit the chicken and has adequate space for the water.
Sprinkle the chicken thighs with salt, and add whole peppercorns, bay leaves, and any other seasoning you are using.
Step 2. Fill the pot with water to cover the chicken completely by approximately 2-3 inches. The meat should be fully submerged in the water. You can also add more water as needed during the boiling process.
Step 3. Place the pot with water and chicken over high heat. Bring it to a boil.
When it starts to boil, put a lid on top and simmer it on low to medium heat for 20 to 50 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (for boneless) or 175°F (for bone-in). This will depend on the type and whether it is fresh or frozen.
During the boiling process, you may see a gray foam or scum that forms on top. It is always a good idea to skim it off using a slotted spoon.
- Put ½ teaspoon of salt on each pound of meat. You can add more salt if you want.
- Change the cooking time based on whether the thighs have bones or not and whether they are fresh or frozen.
- During the cooking time, add more water if needed. The meat must always be fully submerged to stay juicy and cook right.
- Getting rid of the foam that forms when the water boils helps the chicken look cleaner and the broth be clear.
- If you’re boiling the thighs with the bones still in them, make sure they reach 175°F inside so the meat doesn’t get red near the bones.
- When cooking chicken from frozen, add 15 minutes to the cooking time as a general rule.