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Wednesday, October 4, 2023

Find out how to Boil a Complete Hen


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Studying the right way to boil a complete hen is a good ability to have in your again pocket, particularly in case you’re making an attempt to eat clear or meal prepping! This boiled hen is flavorful, juicy, and may simply be reworked right into a one-pot meal.

Not solely is boiled hen wholesome, juicy, and scrumptious, however you need to use it in so many alternative methods. Strive it out in any recipe that requires shredded or rotisserie hen. In the event you’re on the lookout for one other nice technique to put together your hen, do this shredded hen within the Prompt Pot!

A whole cooked chicken served with vegetables on a white serving dish.

The Greatest Boiled Hen

Let’s discuss boiled hen. In the event you’re pondering it comes out rubbery and flavorless, suppose once more. Boiling hen is definitely one in every of my favourite methods to organize it! Each time I take advantage of this recipe, the hen seems juicy, fork-tender, and completely scrumptious.

So why boil a complete hen as an alternative of simply hen breasts or thighs? There are just a few causes. One, while you boil a complete hen, the bones, pores and skin, and connective tissues infuse the broth with unimaginable flavors. The result’s a broth that’s bursting with deliciousness, and in flip provides any veggies you’re cooking it with a savory contact. Two, the pores and skin and bones act as a pure barrier to maintain all of the moisture in, making your hen extra scrumptious and tender. And three, simply take a look at that presentation!

Elements You Will Want

Moreover the entire hen and spices, be at liberty to throw in any veggies that you will have in your fridge! They turn out to be so scrumptious when the prepare dinner within the hen’s pure broth. For precise measurements, take a look at the recipe card beneath.

  • Bone-In Complete Hen: The hen I used was about 6 kilos. You could want to regulate the cooking time slightly relying on the scale of the hen you utilize.
  • Yellow Onions: Chopped yellow onions are a must-add for any hearty dish.
  • Complete Carrots: Minimize into 2-inch items. Is there something higher than chopped carrots which were cooked in broth? They’re so tender and flavorful!
  • Celery Stalks: These additionally turn out to be good and tender when cooked. Stews and roasts are the easiest way to get your every day dose of veggies.
  • Complete Garlic Cloves: For a punch of savory taste.
  • Recent Herbs: Including recent herbs is a no brainer. They add the perfect taste and aromatics! I used recent parsley, thyme, and rosemary.
  • Salt: Assist to spice up the flavors of the boiled hen.
  • Complete Peppercorns: Including these in is one other nice technique to taste the hen.

How Lengthy to Boil a Complete Hen

Boiling a complete hen is extremely straightforward. Merely add your whole substances to a big pot, and let it do its factor! I really like how hands-off this recipe is. It provides you loads of time to make some facet dishes, or simply watch just a few episodes of your favourite TV present!

  1. Add Hen to Pot, Cowl With Herbs and Greens: Place the hen within the backside of a big inventory pot. Then add the remainder of the substances on high and across the hen.
  2. Cowl With Water, Boil: Cowl the whole lot utterly with water after which deliver to a boil over excessive warmth.
  3. Simmer: As soon as your water has come to a rolling boil, cut back warmth to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours. The cooking time will depend upon the scale of the hen. When it’s achieved, the interior temperature of the hen must be 165 levels Fahrenheit.
  4. Serve: Rigorously take away the entire hen from the pot. Then shred and debone the hen and use it as desired for recipes.
  5. Save Hen Inventory: Pressure the hen inventory and put it aside for later use!
4-photo collage of vegetables being prepared and added to a large pot with a whole chicken and water.

Cooking Ideas

Get able to get pleasure from juicy and versatile meat that’s nice for a wide range of dishes. I’ve rounded up just a few of my favourite suggestions to verify your hen seems completely!

  • Use a Huge Pot: Use a pot that may comfortably match the entire hen and permit house for the water to boil with out overflowing. A big stockpot or Dutch oven is an efficient choice.
  • Test for Doneness: To verify the hen is cooked totally, you need to use a meat thermometer. Test that the interior temperature of the hen reaches 165 levels Fahrenheit (74°C).
  • Use For: You should utilize this boiled hen for mainly any hen recipe. Shred it and use it for tacos, hen salad, meal prep, protein bowls, soup, or wraps, slice it and use it for sandwiches, or go away the bones in and use it for hen wings!
  • Hen Broth: Save any leftover cooking liquid, that is the perfect hen inventory to make use of in your whole favourite recipes!

A bone-in chicken cooking in broth.

How Lengthy Does Boiled Hen Final?

In an hermetic container, your hen will final for about 4 days within the fridge. In order for you it to last more, maintain it within the freezer in a freezer bag for two months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Shredding a whole boiled chicken.


  • Place the hen within the backside of a big inventory pot. Add the remainder of the substances on high and across the hen.

  • Cowl the whole lot utterly with water and produce to a boil over excessive warmth.

  • As soon as your water has come to a rolling boil, cut back warmth to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 hours. The cooking time will depend upon the scale of the hen. The interior temperature of the hen must be 165 levels Fahrenheit.

  • Rigorously take away the entire hen from the pot. Shred and debone the hen and use it as desired for recipes.

  • Pressure the hen inventory and put it aside for later use!



Serves: 4

Energy446kcal (22%)Carbohydrates8g (3%)Protein37g (74%)Fats29g (45%)Saturated Fats8g (40%)Polyunsaturated Fats6gMonounsaturated Fats12gTrans Fats0.2gLdl cholesterol143mg (48%)Sodium3648mg (152%)Potassium571mg (16%)Fiber3g (12%)Sugar3g (3%)Vitamin A5571IU (111%)Vitamin C12mg (15%)Calcium68mg (7%)Iron3mg (17%)

All dietary info is predicated on third occasion calculations and is simply an estimate. Every recipe and dietary worth will fluctuate relying on the manufacturers you utilize, measuring strategies and portion sizes per family.

Course Dinner

Delicacies American

Key phrase boiled hen, the right way to boil a complete hen, complete hen boil



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