Follow this detailed guide on how to boil chicken legs for juicy and flavorful meat with only a few ingredients and minimal effort. Enjoy them as a main dish or repurpose the meat for other recipes.
Chicken drumsticks are an affordable and flavorful cut of chicken that are perfect for busy weeknight meals. When boiled properly drumsticks become fall-off-the-bone tender and make a delicious addition to soups salads, sandwiches, and more. But boiling times can vary based on the size of the drumsticks and whether they are fresh or frozen. So how long should you boil chicken drumsticks for perfect results?
The Benefits of Boiling Chicken Drumsticks
There are several advantages to boiling chicken drumsticks rather than roasting or baking them
-
Boiling renders the meat incredibly tender and moist. The wet heat gently breaks down the collagen in the dark meat.
-
It’s a very simple cooking method requiring only a pot, water, and a few seasonings. No need to heat up the oven.
-
After cooking, the drumsticks can be shredded and used in many different ways, such as in chicken salad, soups, tacos, and more.
-
Boiling yields both tasty drumsticks and delicious chicken broth that can be used to make soups or cook grains like rice or quinoa. It makes good use of the whole ingredients.
-
Minimal added fats or oils are needed, making boiled drumsticks a relatively healthy preparation.
How Long Should You Boil Chicken Drumsticks?
The boiling time for chicken drumsticks depends primarily on two factors:
Size of the Drumsticks
- Small drumsticks (6-8 oz): 15-20 minutes
- Medium drumsticks (8-10 oz): 20-25 minutes
- Large drumsticks (10-12 oz): 25-30 minutes
Larger drumsticks will require more time submerged in the boiling water before the interior proteins are fully cooked and tender.
Frozen vs. Fresh
- Fresh: Follow times above
- Frozen: Add 10-15 extra minutes
Frozen drumsticks should be boiled slightly longer than fresh since the meat starts off icy cold. Ensure no ice crystals remain before consuming.
Step-By-Step Boiling Instructions
Follow these simple steps for perfectly boiled chicken drumsticks every time:
-
Add drumsticks to a large pot and cover with cold water by 1-2 inches.
-
Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
-
Once boiling, reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
-
Allow drumsticks to simmer for 15-30 minutes, depending on size.
-
Check internal temperature with a meat thermometer, aiming for 165°F.
-
If thermometer unavailable, check for visual doneness cues like meat pulling away from the bone.
-
Remove drumsticks from pot and optionally broil or grill for crispy skin.
-
Enjoy drumsticks on their own or shred the meat for other recipes.
Pro Tips
-
Avoid overcrowding the pot, which slows cooking. Work in batches if needed.
-
Adding onions, carrots, celery, garlic, herbs, and other aromatics to the cooking liquid will make it taste better.
-
To carefully move the drumsticks in and out of the pot, use tongs or a slotted spoon.
-
Let drumsticks rest for 5-10 minutes before serving for juicier meat.
-
Reserve cooking liquid to make chicken broth for soups, stews, and more.
How to Tell When Chicken Drumsticks Are Fully Cooked
Not being able to cut into chicken drumsticks can make it hard to tell when they are done boiling. Here are some doneness indicators to look for:
-
Temperature: Insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of a drumstick, making sure not to hit bone. 165°F indicates safely cooked chicken.
-
Visual inspection: Meat should pull away from the bone relatively easily. Cut into a drumstick to check that juices run clear rather than pink.
-
Texture: Fully cooked drumsticks will feel firm yet tender when poked with tongs or a fork.
Allowing chicken to safely finish cooking is crucial from a food safety perspective. If in doubt, boil a minute or two longer.
Serving Ideas for Boiled Chicken Drumsticks
The tender, flavorsome meat from boiled drumsticks can be used in all sorts of dishes:
-
Add shredded chicken to hearty salads, wraps, sandwiches, and pitas
-
Mix with barbecue sauce and pile on buns for pulled chicken sandwiches
-
Make chicken noodle or rice soup using the shredded meat and reserved broth
-
Stuff into soft tortillas or taco shells for easy chicken tacos
-
Toss with Buffalo-style hot sauce for tangy chicken wings without the frying
-
Include diced chicken in main dishes like stir-fries, pasta bakes, and casseroles
-
Serve diced drumsticks over rice or roasted potatoes and veggies for a one-pan meal
Get creative with the boiled chicken in your favorite recipes! The options are nearly endless.
Storing and Reheating Leftover Boiled Chicken Drumsticks
Storage
-
Store boiled drumsticks in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.
-
Shredded chicken keeps for 3-4 days refrigerated.
-
Frozen boiled chicken (without bones) lasts 4-6 months in a freezer bag.
Reheating
-
Reheat boiled chicken gently in a skillet, or until warmed through (165°F).
-
Microwave shredded chicken on half power, stirring periodically.
-
Add diced chicken straight to soups, curries, and stews at simmer.
-
Mix into casseroles and bake until bubbly hot.
Avoid overcooking chicken when reheating to prevent dry, stringy meat. Use moist methods like the microwave or simmering in sauce.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I boil frozen chicken drumsticks without thawing first?
Yes, you can boil frozen drumsticks without thawing. Just add 5-10 extra minutes to the cooking time, and make sure to boil until fully cooked through.
Does boiling chicken drumsticks make them tough?
Boiling actually makes the meat more tender. Avoid vigorous boiling to prevent overcooking. Maintain a gentle simmer and don’t exceed recommended times.
Can I bread or batter boiled chicken drumsticks after cooking?
Absolutely! Boiling first cooks the meat, then breading and baking or frying adds a crispy crust. Just pat drumsticks dry before breading to help it adhere.
Is boiling or baking healthier for chicken drumsticks?
Boiling is a healthier cooking method since no oils or extra fats are used. However, baking with minimal added fats can also be a healthy option. Include the skin for extra flavor and nutrients.
How do I make boiled chicken drumsticks more flavorful?
Season the cooking liquid boldly with herbs, garlic, onions, or spices. You can also marinate or season drumsticks before boiling for more flavor. Sauces and rubs after cooking also impart taste.
Perfectly Cooked Chicken Drumsticks Every Time
Follow this handy guide to boil chicken drumsticks until tender and juicy each time. Proper boiling times, temperature monitoring, and visual doneness cues will help you nail the execution. Then get ready to enjoy amazingly moist chicken drumsticks on their own or shredded in your favorite recipes. Happy boiling!
Boiled chicken legs (drumsticks)
I am a person who gets excited to eat boiled chicken legs or thighs. Maybe, because I grew up eating boiled meat quite often.
I also love baking chicken drumsticks in the oven, they come our so crispy and flavorful.
My grandma always had plenty of chickens, so at least every other month, she would give us a whole bird.
So the meat would last longer, my mom would often boil the whole chicken and use it in different meals all week.
And the same day, she would fry the livers, gizzards, and a few pieces of meat with skin for me and my brother, which were our favorite.
The broth was used throughout the week to make red borscht or other soup.
We do not have a large family, so I often boil only the leg or thighs. Because of the dark meat, skin, bones, and fat content, the meat comes out very tender and full of flavor.
A slice of bread and a boiled chicken drumstick are my favorite things to eat. So easy on the digestive system and quite tasty.
Kids also like legs or thighs better than breasts because they are easier to eat and not tough.
By boiling, you will have both meat and broth, which I use to make soups for my son.
We often chose to fry, grill, bake or air fry the meat, but often skip one of the easiest and healthiest methods – boiling.
I believe that the simplicity of this dish becomes its biggest strength.
And if you prefer the crispy skin, just broil boiled legs for a few minutes in the oven.
How long to boil chicken legs
From start to finish, the whole process, which includes the prepping time and the time for the water to start boiling will take about 40-50 minutes for fresh chicken legs and 50-60 minutes for the frozen ones.
The boiling process for chicken legs, including prepping and water boiling time, typically takes 40-50 minutes for fresh drumsticks and 50-60 minutes for the frozen ones.
The boiling time depends on the size of the chicken legs, whether they are fresh or frozen
Below is the table you can refer to see the approximate boiling times for chicken legs. I always recommend using a food thermometer to make sure the chicken reaches 165°F.
And if you do not have one, check by cutting the largest leg lengthwise and if the juices run clear, the chicken is ready.
|
Size |
Fresh chicken legs (Min) |
Frozen chicken legs (Min) |
|
Small (6-8 oz) |
20-25 minutes |
30-35 minutes |
|
Medium (8-10 oz) |
25-30 minutes |
35-40 minutes |
|
Large (10-12 oz) |
30-35 minutes |
40-45 minutes |
You will need only a few ingredients to boil the chicken. If you would like to see the exact quantities and nutritional information, see the recipe card at the end of this post.
Chicken legs (drumsticks) – you can use fresh or frozen chicken legs. If you plan to use the broth, try getting pasture-raised organic meat.
Vegetables – the meat absorbs the water during the boiling process, and vegetables will add lots of flavor to the meat and broth itself. Today, I am using carrots and onion. You can also use celery, garlic, parsnip, and more. You can also skip the vegetables and use only the water.
Seasonings – I added a good amount of salt, to make the broth taste good to enjoy on its own. I also added a few bay leaves. If you have whole peppercorns, add 6-7 of those in there for more flavor.
Fresh herbs (optional) – if you have any rosemary, sage, thyme, add some to the pot as well.
Water– if you are going to use broth, I always boil the meat in filtered water. Tap is also OK if you know it is clean.
Place chicken legs in a medium or large stock pot. Add coarsely chopped carrot, half of the onion, and a few bay leaves.
Fill the stock pot with water. I like to do it in this particular order because if you add chicken last, it will be splashing all over.
Place the pot with chicken legs over medium-high heat and bring it to a gentle boil. Cover the pot and simmer the meat for about 20-35 minutes over low-medium heat.
The chicken legs are ready when the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Let the meat sit in a hot broth for another 10 minutes. Carefully remove the legs using tongs. You may serve them now or broil them for a few minutes to crisp up the skin.
- Chose pasture-raised or organic chicken.
- Flavor the broth by adding vegetables, herbs, and salt.
- To keep the meat from getting tough, boil the drumsticks slowly and don’t cook them for too long.
- Change the cooking time based on how big the legs are and whether they are frozen or fresh.
- The skin of boiled drumsticks can be made crispy and brown by grilling or broiling them.