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slices of chicken
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5 from 2 votes

How to Poach Frozen Chicken

Want soft tasty and perfectly cooked chicken breasts for chicken salad or other dishes but all you have are frozen chicken breasts? No problem! Once you know how to poach frozen chicken breasts, you'll be on your way to the best recipes out there!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
resting time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: main
Cuisine: American
Keyword: how to poach frozen chicken breasts
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 277kcal
Author: Wendi Spraker
Cost: $2

Equipment

  • sauce pan
  • thermometer
  • stove top
  • tongs

Ingredients

  • 6 cups water
  • 2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp garlic powder optional
  • 1 tsp onion powder optional
  • 1 tsp dried thyme optional
  • 1 chicken breast boneless, skinless

Instructions

  • Add water, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and thyme to a medium sized sauce pan and place on the stove over medium heat. Heat to a temp of 100 degrees and then turn the heat off. Place the frozen chicken breast into the water and place a lid over the pan. Allow to sit for 20 minutes.
  • After 20 minutes, turn the burner to low heat and gradually heat the water to 150 degrees. When the water reaches 150, turn the heat off again and allow to sit for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the chicken will be done and you can remove from the water to use for your recipe.

Video

Notes

  • Start with cool water. This allows the entire piece of chicken to warm with the water cooking it throughout instead of just the outside.
  • Use spices to flavor your meat while it is poaching. If you have never done this before, salt, pepper, garlic and parsley are a great start.
  • Once you've give this a go a time or two, try some thyme, rosemary, lemon or other herbs and spices.
  • Use a sauce pan that is large enough to allow the water to circulate around the piece of meat well.
  • Do not allow the water to boil. Boiling water will cook the outside of the chicken but not the inside leaving you with chewy outside and not done inside.
  • Salt the water more than you think you need. This gives the chicken it's flavor and once it's cooked, it is difficult to add salt to the end product and have it taste right.
PRO TIP: To really kick up the flavor, use chicken broth instead of water or use a bouillon cube instead of the salt.

Nutrition

Serving: 1breast | Calories: 277kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 49g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 145mg | Sodium: 4988mg | Potassium: 901mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 106IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 86mg | Iron: 2mg