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Home » Recipes » poultry » How to Poach Chicken Breasts

July 12, 2018

How to Poach Chicken Breasts

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Learn how to poach chicken breasts with this simple video tutorial.

sliced poached chicken

Let’s just get this out of the way. I am posting a tutorial for how to poach chicken breasts because I am currently dieting. Is that a bad word? I am trying to lose weight. I want to be healthier and not have my knees and feet hurt so much as I get older. Sheesh, that makes me sound already old. Anyway regardless of the motivation behind this post, I promise you’ll want poached chicken breasts in your recipe arsenal. For clean eating and just meal planning in general. 

Watch How to Poach Chicken Breasts:

I’ve heard poached chicken be called a blank canvas. It really is true. The slices of tender chicken are ready to go for your favorite chicken salad recipe, rice bowls, wraps, salads – the only limit is your imagination in the kitchen. Poached chicken is cooked without fat. It is gently simmered in water flavored with lemon juice, salt and herbs. But you could add whole garlic cloves, peppercorns, ginger, bay leaves, orange peel – again YOU are in charge of the creativity beyond this basic tutorial. 

sliced poached chicken

More tips for How to Poach Chicken Breasts:

  • Choose a pot that is large enough to fit the chicken breasts in a single layer
  • Start with cold water to ensure the chicken breasts cook evenly
  • Do not bring the water to a boil. Gently simmer the chicken breasts for about 15 minutes (with the pot covered) until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit
  • Be sure to check the internal temperature of each chicken breast before pulling them out of the pot – depending on thickness some may take a little longer than others
  • As always I recommend a good digital thermometer as an essential tool for every kitchen. THIS is the thermometer that I use

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How to Poach Chicken Breasts | Foodtastic Mom #chickenrecipes #chickenbreastrecipes #poachedchicken

sliced poached chicken
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5 from 11 votes

How to Poach Chicken Breasts

Learn how to poach chicken breasts with this simple video tutorial. Start with cold water, season with lemon, salt and herbs and gently simmer.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 8
Calories 120kcal
Author Foodtastic Mom

Ingredients

  • 8 cups cold water
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp salt
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary
  • 1 sprig fresh thyme
  • 1 sprig fresh sage
  • 4 8 oz each chicken breasts boneless and skinless

Instructions

  • To a 6 or 8 quart stock pot, add the cold water, lemon juice, salt and herbs. 
  • Add the chicken breasts and heat the water to a gentle simmer.
  • Cover the pot and simmer for about 15 minutes, or until each chicken breast is cooked to 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
  • Remove the chicken from the pot. Serve immediately. Or allow to cool and store in air tight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Nutrition

Calories: 120kcal

More chicken recipes:

  • Simple Chicken Burrito Bowls
  • 75 Easy Chicken Recipes 
  • Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
  • Grilled Lemon Chicken Alfredo
  • Chicken Soft Tacos
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Found In: poultry

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Comments

  1. Alexis says

    July 12, 2018 at 9:48 am

    5 stars
    Poached chicken is so versatile and is great to prepare ahead of time for meal planning. Your process is much simpler than mine, thank you for the new ideas.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      July 12, 2018 at 2:39 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  2. Tara @ Unsophisticook says

    July 12, 2018 at 10:02 am

    5 stars
    Loved poached chicken — it’s like a blank canvas with unlimited possibilities!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      July 12, 2018 at 2:38 pm

      Exactly!

      Reply
  3. Sues says

    July 12, 2018 at 10:31 am

    5 stars
    This chicken looks seriously perfect!! I never think to poach when I’m deciding how to prep my chicken, but I think I need to change that!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      July 12, 2018 at 2:38 pm

      Yes, I think you do. Glad to help 🙂

      Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    July 12, 2018 at 11:08 am

    5 stars
    Love how easy this sounds and great for meal prep. I can see so many ways this would save you time in the kitchen.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      July 12, 2018 at 2:38 pm

      Yep – it’s always a good thing to have cooked chicken ready to go!

      Reply
  5. Danielle says

    July 12, 2018 at 11:27 am

    5 stars
    This video is super helpful! It looks so simple to make!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      July 12, 2018 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you! It really is.

      Reply
  6. Natalie says

    January 08, 2019 at 11:28 am

    5 stars
    Looks so tender and delicious! Such a great healthy addition to salads and mains!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 09, 2019 at 1:12 pm

      Thank you Natalie!

      Reply
  7. Amanda says

    January 08, 2019 at 11:30 am

    5 stars
    Thanks for such a great tutorial! It will definitely come in handy.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 09, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      You’re welcome!

      Reply
  8. Liz says

    January 08, 2019 at 11:37 am

    5 stars
    This is such a helpful resource! I sent this to my mom because she’s been wanting to make poached chicken breasts but wasn’t sure how!

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 09, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      This is so great to hear. Thanks for passing along my post to your Mom!

      Reply
  9. Stephanie says

    January 08, 2019 at 11:50 am

    5 stars
    Great tutorial on how to poach chicken breasts. Love the herbs you used for this.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 09, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      Thank you Stephanie!

      Reply
  10. LaTasha Marie says

    January 08, 2019 at 2:51 pm

    5 stars
    These tips for poaching chicken are not to be missed! I love I can follow along easily via video and written!! This is a staple.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 09, 2019 at 1:11 pm

      I’m glad you found this post helpful LaTasha!

      Reply
  11. Edyta says

    January 08, 2019 at 5:04 pm

    5 stars
    Great tutorial. It’s especially useful now when everyone is trying to eat a little better. This poached chicken sounds like a perfect addition to a delicious salad.

    Reply
    • foodtasticmom says

      January 09, 2019 at 1:10 pm

      It is so great for salads. Thanks Edyta for your positive comments.

      Reply

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My name is Jill and I share simple and delicious, family-friendly recipes. I want you to feel super in YOUR kitchen!

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