How to Poach Chicken: Tips and Tricks for Perfect Results

Ah, poached chicken. It's one of those things that might sound intimidating to make, but once you know how to do it, it's actually a pretty simple way to cook up some tender and flavourful chicken. Plus, it's a healthy cooking method that doesn't require any added fat. So, if you're ready to learn how to poach chicken like a pro, keep reading!

First things first, let's talk about the different cuts of chicken you can poach. Chicken breasts and thighs are the most common cuts to poach, and they both turn out great using this cooking method. When it comes to chicken breasts, you'll want to poach them for a shorter amount of time than thighs because they're a leaner cut of meat. We'll get into more detail on timing later.

So, how do you poach chicken? There are a few different ways to go about it, but we're going to focus on the most straightforward method: poaching in water.

How to poach chicken in water

To poach chicken breasts in water, start by filling a pot with enough water to fully submerge the chicken. Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Add any seasonings or aromatics you'd like to infuse the chicken with - things like bay leaves, garlic, onion, and herbs all work well. Next, add your chicken breasts to the pot. Make sure they're fully submerged in the water, and adjust the heat as needed to keep the water at a gentle simmer. 

Now, here's the important part: how long to poach chicken breast. 

Depending on the size of your chicken breasts, you'll want to poach them for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes. The best way to check if they're done is to use a meat thermometer to ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F. If you don't have a thermometer, you can also check by cutting into the thickest part of the chicken breast - if the juices run clear, they're done.

So, how do you poach chicken breast perfectly every time? Here are a few tips:

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches 165°F.
• Don't overcrowd the pot - make sure there's enough room for the chicken to cook evenly.
• Keep the heat at a gentle simmer - you don't want the water to boil vigorously.
• Let the chicken cool in the poaching liquid for a few minutes before removing it. This will help keep it moist and tender.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different seasonings and flavourings. Poached chicken is a blank canvas, ready to be flavoured however you like.
• Don’t toss the water once your chicken is done. Use it for soups and to cook rice and other grains.

Now, let's talk about how to poach chicken thighs. 

How to poach chicken thighs

The process is pretty similar to poaching chicken breasts, but you'll want to poach them for a bit longer since they're a fattier cut of meat. Plan on poaching chicken thighs for 20 to 30 minutes, or until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.

When it comes to seasoning your poached chicken, you can go as simple or as complex as you'd like. If you're planning on using the chicken in another recipe, you can keep it simple with just salt and pepper. Or, you can infuse the poaching liquid with all sorts of herbs and spices for added flavour. Once the chicken is done, you can shred it up and use it in salads, sandwiches, wraps, and more.

How to store poached chicken

If you have poached more chicken than you know what to do with, you can freeze the left-overs in an air-tight container for up to four months - or put it in the fridge if you’ll make more recipes within 3 days.

What else to make with poached chicken?

It’s easy to use poached chicken to make a topping for rice bowls, or filling for enchiladas and tacos, but there are more ways to enjoy poached chicken. Here we go:

Rice and chicken salad

Tasty, healthy and delightful - this is what rice and chicken salad is! It is also the easiest recipe you can make with poached chicken.

Homemade chicken pie

Poach your chicken, mix it with different veggies and add it to your pastry to make a scrumptious chicken pie.

Chinese poached chicken & rice

This is the recipe to try if you want an easy lunch idea for your guests. It is a good meal that can be ready in 40 minutes. 

Poached chicken with lemon and tarragon sauce

This is one good recipe you can make with chicken meat. Serve it with potatoes or rice.https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/poached-chicken-lemon-tarragon-sauce 

Middle Eastern chicken and spice roasted pumpkin rice bowl

This recipes allows you to poach your chicken in almond milk - fancy that! The result is a beautiful contrast to the spicy pumpkin.