Learning how to boil a whole chicken is a great skill to have in your back pocket, especially if you’re trying to eat clean or meal-prep! This boiled chicken is flavorful, juicy and can easily be transformed into a one-pot meal.
Boiling a whole chicken is one of the quickest, easiest and most budget-friendly ways to cook chicken. The resulting tender, juicy meat can then be used in a variety of dishes from chicken noodle soup to chicken salad sandwiches. But exactly how long does it take to boil a whole chicken?
The boiling time can range quite a bit based on the size of the chicken as well as whether it’s fresh or frozen. With a few tips, you’ll be able to perfectly boil a whole chicken every time.
Factors That Affect Boiling Time
There are several factors that will determine how long to boil a whole chicken:
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Weight – A small 3 lb chicken will boil faster than a 6 lb chicken. Go by the general rule of boiling for 15-20 minutes per pound.
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Fresh vs, Frozen – Frozen chicken will take about 50% longer to boil than fresh chicken
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Cooking Method – Keeping the pot at a low simmer will result in juicier meat compared to vigorously boiling.
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Altitude – At higher altitudes, you’ll need to increase boiling time by a few minutes.
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Bone-in vs. Boneless – Chicken cooked on the bone tends to be more moist. Boneless will cook faster.
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Brining: Putting chicken in a saltwater brine before cooking gives it flavor and keeps it tender.
So as you can see, there is no one exact boiling time for whole chicken. But the sections below will arm you with estimates.
How Long to Boil a Small Whole Chicken
For a 3-4 lb whole chicken (fresh), the boiling time will be:
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30-40 minutes at a gentle simmer
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Check the internal temperature at the thickest part using a meat thermometer after 30 minutes. It should read 165°F when done.
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Add more time in 5 minute increments if needed until fully cooked.
For a 3-4 lb whole frozen chicken, the boiling time will be approximately:
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60 minutes at a gentle simmer
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Use a meat thermometer to make sure it has reached 165°F inside before taking it out of the pot.
How Long to Boil a Large Whole Chicken
For a 5-7 lb whole fresh chicken, you’ll need:
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45-60 minutes at a gentle simmer
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Check temperature at 45 minutes, and continue cooking if needed until 165°F.
For a 5-7 lb whole frozen chicken, plan on:
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75-90 minutes at a gentle simmer
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Get a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature after 75 minutes. If needed, cook longer by adding 5 to 10 minutes at a time.
Tips for Perfectly Boiled Chicken
Follow these tips for ensuring your boiled chicken turns out juicy and tender:
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Use a tall, narrow pot so the chicken fits snugly.
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Add aromatic vegetables and herbs to the pot like onion, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, thyme. They infuse flavor into the meat and broth.
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Maintain a gentle simmer – don’t let the water come to a vigorous boil which can make the meat dry.
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Use an instant-read thermometer to test doneness rather than relying on time alone.
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Let the chicken rest 5-10 minutes before carving to allow juices to redistribute.
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Save the resulting broth! Use it to make soups or gravy.
What If I’m Unsure of the Chicken’s Weight?
If you don’t know the exact weight of the whole chicken, here are some estimates:
- Small whole chicken is around 3-4 lbs
- Medium whole chicken is approx 4-5 lbs
- Large whole chicken is usually 6-7 lbs
You can always weigh chicken on a kitchen scale if unsure. Or go by general appearance – small chickens are often labeled “fryer chickens.”
For chickens that don’t fit neatly into these groups, I recommend starting by boiling them for 20 minutes per pound, as I already said. So for a 4. 5 lb chicken, start with 90 minutes. Then verify doneness with a thermometer before removing from heat.
Storing and Reheating Boiled Chicken
Once boiled, you can refrigerate the cooked chicken in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Freeze for longer storage.
To reheat, sliced or shredded chicken can be gently warmed on the stovetop with a bit of broth or water. Or reheat pieces in the oven at 350°F until hot, about 15-20 minutes.
Portion chicken into freezer bags or containers before freezing for easy use later. Thaw in the refrigerator before using.
Delicious Ways to Use Boiled Chicken
The boiled chicken meat now ready to go into your favorite recipes like:
- Chicken noodle or rice soup
- Chicken tortilla soup
- Chicken salad sandwiches
- Chicken enchiladas
- Chicken & veggie stir fry
- Chicken pot pie or casserole
The possibilities are endless! A whole boiled chicken can feed an entire family for several meals throughout the week.
So as you can see, how long to boil a whole chicken can range quite a bit based on its size and whether frozen or fresh. For best results, follow the tips above and use a meat thermometer for perfectly cooked chicken every time. Then get ready to enjoy tasty boiled chicken!
How Long to Boil a Whole Chicken
Boiling a whole chicken is incredibly easy. Simply add all of your 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 watch a few episodes of your favorite TV show!.
- Cover the chicken with herbs and vegetables and add it to the pot. Put the chicken in the bottom of a large stock pot. Then put the rest of the ingredients around and on top of the chicken.
- Cover with Water and Boil: Put water all around everything and then boil it on high heat.
- Simmer: Once the water starts to boil, turn down the heat to medium-low and let it cook for two to three hours without covering it. How long it takes to cook will depend on how big the chicken is. When it’s done, the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit on the inside.
- Serve: Carefully remove the whole chicken from the pot. After that, shred and debone the chicken and use it in any recipe you like.
- Save Chicken Stock: Pour out the chicken stock and save it for tomorrow!
Get ready to enjoy juicy and versatile meat that’s great for a variety of dishes. I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite tips to make sure your chicken turns out perfectly!.
- Use a Big Pot: Choose a pot that is big enough to fit the whole chicken and still have room for the water to boil without spilling over. A large stockpot or Dutch oven is a good option.
- Use a meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is cooked all the way through. Make sure that the chicken’s internal temperature is at least 165°F (74°C).
- Use: This boiled chicken can be used in almost any chicken recipe. You can shred it for tacos, chicken salad, protein bowls, soup, wraps, or meal prep. You can slice it for sandwiches, or leave the bones in and eat it like chicken wings!
- If you have any cooking liquid left over, save it! This is the best chicken stock you can use in all of your favorite recipes!
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Healthy: Boiled chicken is tasty, healthy, and juicy, and you can use it in a lot of different ways. You can put it in my crack chicken casserole or shredded chicken tacos.
- Uses: The tender chicken and tasty broth can be used in more than one recipe. You can use this easy recipe to make a lot of different things.
WHOLE BOILED CHICKEN | CHICKEN BASICS
FAQ
How long does it take to boil a whole chicken?
Boiling a whole chicken typically takes between 1 hour and 1. 5 hours, depending on the size of the chicken. A smaller chicken (around 2. 6lbs) may be done in 40-50 minutes, while a larger one (around 5. 5lbs) could take up to 1. 5 to 1. 75 hours.
How long does it take to boil chicken thoroughly?
Thinner chicken breast cutlets are ready in about 8 minutes. Larger chicken breasts can take up to 15 minutes. Large bone-in chicken breasts will take about 20 minutes.
How long to boil chicken to make broth?
To make chicken broth, simmer the chicken and aromatics (like vegetables and herbs) for at least 1 hour, but 2-6 hours is common for richer flavor. Longer simmering times (up to 24 hours) can be used for a more intense flavor and gelatinous broth.