Description
This Perfect Poached Chicken recipe offers a tender, juicy, and flavorful way to cook boneless, skinless chicken breasts by gently simmering them in seasoned water. Poaching ensures that the chicken remains moist without added fat, making it a healthy and versatile protein base for salads, sandwiches, or main dishes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Seasonings
- 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 4 black peppercorns
- 1 garlic clove, smashed
- Enough water to fully submerge the chicken
Instructions
- Prepare the Poaching Liquid: Place the chicken breasts in a large pot. Add kosher salt, bay leaf, black peppercorns, and the smashed garlic clove. Pour in enough water to completely cover the chicken, ensuring even cooking.
- Heat and Simmer: Bring the pot to a gentle simmer over medium-high heat. Once simmering, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F, approximately 10 to 15 minutes. This slow cooking helps keep the chicken tender and juicy.
- Rest the Chicken: Remove the pot from heat. Allow the chicken to rest in the hot liquid for 3 to 5 minutes; this step lets the residual heat finish cooking and helps retain moisture.
- Slice and Serve: Remove the chicken from the broth, slice as desired, and serve immediately. Use it as a main dish or in recipes requiring cooked chicken.
Notes
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F for perfect doneness.
- Save the poaching liquid as a flavorful chicken broth base for soups or cooking grains.
- Do not let the water boil vigorously; keep it at a gentle simmer to prevent tough meat.
- This recipe can be doubled or scaled according to needs, but use a pot large enough to fully submerge the chicken pieces.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 ounces (85 grams)
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 3 grams
- Saturated Fat: 1 gram
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 grams
- Trans Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Protein: 26 grams
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
