Boiling a whole chicken makes a great chicken meal that is satisfying and quite rich in nutrients. It is very affordable and completely convenient as a whole meal that can be devoured as lunch or dinner.
The time it takes to boil a whole chicken is very dependent on how big the chicken is. It takes a little longer to cook a whole chicken than meat pieces.
It takes roughly 15 minutes for one pound of chicken, and you have to calculate the total time depending on the weight and size of the meat. Actually, boiling a whole chicken also contributes to making many items in one go.
This article will be a great guide to comprehending the duration needed to boil a whole chicken and along with the methods required to boil the chicken. It also encompasses details about how you store a whole chicken and tips to boil it well and healthily.
How Long Does It Take To Boil A Whole Chicken?
Boiling a whole chicken is a little time-consuming as we have to be sure that the whole bird meat has been cooked. It is convenient to cook multiple dishes at once, as whole meat can be scraped and used for multiple recipes.
Suppose you have a three-pound chicken at home and wonder how long it will take to cook that. It would take about an hour to boil. At the same time, a six-pound chicken would take about 2 hours maximum.
It will take 15 minutes to cook a pound of chicken, and hence you can calculate the whole time.
You are also supposed to factor in whether the chicken is frozen or not. It takes a little longer to boil a frozen chicken than a fresh chicken. It takes another 45 minutes extra to boil a frozen chicken.
Fresh Whole Chicken
- If the weight is anywhere between 3 to 4 pounds, boiling time will take approximately 1.5 hours.
- If the weight is about 4lb, the time will take about 1.5 hours and 15 minutes extra.
Frozen Whole Chicken
- If the weight is anywhere between 3 to 4 lb, boiling time would be 1 hour 45 minutes.
- If the weight of the chicken is 4 pounds, it will take another 15 minutes extra.
- The chicken should be cooked until it reaches the internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
- A boiled chicken will be quite pale, with little moisture sticking to the surface.
What Will You Need To Boil A Whole Chicken?
1. Large Pot
When you are boiling a whole chicken, you will need a large pot or a Dutch oven. The pot has to be larger to match the weight of the chicken.
The pot should have a tight lid so that the steam circulates among the pot and does not get out. Make sure it has a broad base, so it does not topple over and fall.
If you don’t get a big enough pot to cook a whole pound of chicken, you can separate the chicken into two splits and boil it.
2. Stove Type
A stovetop to boil the chicken would be very apt and extremely convenient to offer a high temperature.
3. Meat Thermometer
It is always difficult to discover whether the chicken has been fully cooked or boiled. Hence a meat thermometer to indicate if the chicken has been cooked to the right temperature deems important.
4. A Whole Chicken
A whole chicken should be purchased, looking at the packaging date, and it still has time to be cooked. If the chicken is frozen, it must be thawed first before getting boiled.
5. Water
There needs to be enough water to immerse the whole chicken. The size of the chicken matters the volume of water needed.
6. Salt, Pepper, And Herbs
Spices and herbs are added to the water to add flavor to the chicken. The chicken is boiled with all those flavors so that it is more delicious.
How To Boil A Chicken?
- Place the chicken in a big pot with water filled to its rim and make sure the chicken is fully immersed.
- When the water is boiling, simmer the temperature and cover the pot.
- Have a gas stove and make sure the heat is spread evenly.
- Simmer the heat and place the pot if you have an electric stove.
- Check the water as its rises to the rim and generates a foam to indicate that the chicken is being cooked.
- Take the chicken out and check for the signs if it has been boiled without any shades of pink color on the meat.
- Have a meat thermometer and check the internal temperature to see whether it has reached 165 degrees F.
What Does Boiled Chicken Taste Like?
Boiled chicken is simple, efficient, and delicious to be eaten. It is also very versatile and can be combined in many recipes, including soups, salads, and stews.
It is moist and very tender but basically bland in taste initially. When dabbed with spices and herbs, it takes on the taste of the seasoning to be more flavorful.
Tips For Boiling A Whole Chicken
Here are some of the tips for boiling a whole chicken.
- The pot you are using should be big enough to hold the chicken.
- Add enough water to immerse the chicken fully.
- Bring the water to a full boil before you simmer the temperature.
- Check if the chicken is cooked evenly.
- Check the temperature of the chicken regularly to see if it has reached the internal temperature of 165 degrees F.
How To Store A Whole Boiled Chicken?
- The leftover boiled chicken can be kept in the fridge for a few days. It has to be sealed in an airtight container or a bag to be stored intact.
- You can also freeze the boiled chicken for days together without any issues. It can be placed in a freezer bag inside the freezer.
- To thaw the chicken, remove it from the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight to defrost it.
- Boiled chicken can be kept at room temperature for up to two hours and not more than that. If you plan to keep it any longer, shove it inside the fridge. If you think the chicken has been kept out for longer, tossing it away is the best bet you can rely upon.
How Do You Know If The Chicken Is Overcooked?
Overboiling a chicken is a common error that people fall trapped too. It is best to avoid that scenario by boiling a chicken to the right temperature.
To know that it has been overcooked, you have to try slicing it. When you slice it, it will fall apart and look dry or tough to touch.
Conclusion
After reading this post, you will know all the aspects of boiling a chicken. Boiling a chicken is the best chicken meal that you can make, and there is nothing to beat it.
It would be perfect for dinner and is definitely a worthy ingredient to make many recipes. Reading this article must have given you some basic facts about the duration required to boil the chicken and how you can handle it as well.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does it take to boil a whole chicken?
Suppose you have a three-pound chicken at home and wonder how long it will take to cook that. It would take about an hour to boil. At the same time, a six-pound chicken would take about 2 hours maximum. It will take 15 minutes to cook a pound of chicken, and hence you can calculate the whole time.
What will you need to boil a whole chicken?
When you are boiling a whole chicken, you will need a large pot or a dutch oven. The pot has to be larger to match the weight of the chicken. The pot should have a tight lid so that the steam circulates among the pot and does not get out. Make sure it has a broad base, so it does not topple over and fall.
What does boiled chicken taste like?
Boiled chicken is simple, efficient, and delicious to be eaten. It is also very versatile and can be combined in many recipes, including soups, salads, and stews. It is moist and very tender but basically bland in taste initially. When dabbed with spices and herbs, it takes on the taste of the seasoning to be more flavorful.
How do you know if the chicken is overcooked?
Overboiling a chicken is a common error that people fall trapped too. It is best to avoid that scenario by boiling a chicken to the right temperature. To know that it has been overcooked, you have to try slicing it. When you slice it, it will fall apart and look dry or tough to touch.
How to store a whole boiled chicken?
The leftover boiled chicken can be kept in the fridge for a few days. It has to be sealed in an airtight container or a bag to be stored intact. You can also freeze the boiled chicken for days together without any issues. It can be placed in a freezer bag inside the freezer.
