Follow along as we share How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs to yield tender and flavorful chicken for all your chicken recipe needs. Whether you’re boiling your chicken thighs to quickly get dinner on the table or to prep chicken for a soup, enchilada, or chicken salad recipe, our process is simple and effective.
Tender And Juicy Boiled Chicken Thighs
We love a quick and tasty recipe over here at The Wooden Skillet, and boy does this recipe deliver on both! In 15-20 minutes, you’ll have tender, juicy, dark meat ready for dinner or to include in your favorite soup, salad, or enchilada. No matter what you plan on making boiled chicken thighs for, they’re guaranteed to come out tender and juicy by following our simple steps.
What You Will Need
- bone-in chicken thighs: We love the flavor that bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs provide, but you can always use skinless and boneless if that’s what you have on hand.
- water: Enough to have about 2 inches of water covering all of your chicken thighs in the pot.
- kosher salt or chicken bouillon cube: Both will give your chicken thighs a nice flavor.
- yellow onion: This is an optional ingredient that adds more flavor.
How Long Does It Take To Boil Chicken Thighs
We’ve found 15-20 minutes to be the perfect amount of time to yield tender chicken thighs. Select similar sized chicken thighs to ensure that they all cook evenly. If you’re using frozen chicken thighs, be sure to add 5-10 minutes to your cooking time.
How To Boil Chicken Thighs
Start by adding water to a large stock pot with kosher salt or bouillon cube. Add the optional chopped onion to the pot as well.
Using kitchen tongs, carefully add your chicken thighs to your pot.
Be sure that there is about 2 inches of water covering all of your chicken thighs. Cover your pot and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. If you’re using frozen chicken thighs, increase your cooking time by 5-10 minutes depending on the size of your chicken thighs.
Remove your chicken thighs from the pot when their internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Optional Sear
If you want some crispy, golden brown skin, remove the chicken when the internal temperature is 160° F and sear them on a cast iron skillet with some butter or brush them with olive oil and broil them for 1-2 minutes.
All your chicken thighs will need now is some kosher salt and black pepper and they’re ready to eat!
Additional Seasonings
If you want to amp up the flavor even more, sprinkle your chicken thighs with some curry powder, chicken seasoning, thyme, garlic powder, or oregano.
Can I Microwave Chicken Thighs
Yes, but this isn’t our favorite method. Microwaves can quickly overcook chicken, but there is a way if you have no other option. Place your chicken thighs in a microwave safe bowl and cover with water. Place the bowl in your microwave and cook on high heat for 15 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 °F. If your chicken thighs aren’t fully cooked after 15 minutes, keep cooking them in 3-minute intervals until the cooking is complete.
Make It A Meal
There are so many options that pair with juicy dark meat. Some of our favorites veggie side dishes that add a pop of color and a nutritional punch are easy shaved Brussel Sprouts, grilled sweet potatoes, smoked asparagus, or some simple steamed green beans. Round out the meal with some instant pot steamed rice and you’re all set!
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How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4–6 servings 1x
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Stove Top
- Cuisine: American
Description
How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs – an easy, simple recipe for how long to boil chicken thighs – great for shredding chicken or an easy dinner!
Ingredients
- 4–6 bone-in chicken thighs
- water
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt or 1 chicken bouillon cube
- (optional) 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in a large saucepan filled 3/4 with water (chicken should have at least 2 inches of water above it).
- Add salt or bouillon cube and onions (if using).
- Cover and let simmer (gently) for 15-20 minutes or until fully cooked (chicken is fully cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F).
- Serve immediately seasoned with kosher salt and pepper or sear (see Notes below).
Notes
- Similar Size: try and make sure your chicken thighs are approx. the same size as each other so they cook evenly.
- How long to boil boneless chicken thighs: a boneless chicken thigh will take approximately 10-15 minutes.
- Optional Sear: if you want a crispy skin on the top you can remove the chicken thighs from the water when they reach an internal temperature of 160 degrees F. then sear in a cast iron skillet with a little bit of butter or you can brush with olive oil and broil for 1-2 minutes.
- Frozen chicken thighs: you can use frozen chicken thighs if you have to – simply increase cooking time 5-10 minutes (or more) depending upon how large your thighs are.
- Add-ins: feel free to add a variety of seasonings to add even more flavor to your chicken thighs such as: curry powder, store-bought chicken seasoning, thyme, garlic powder, parsley, oregano, etc.
- Microwave: while this isn’t our recommended method you can boil chicken thighs in the microwave by placing ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Microwave on HIGH for 15 minutes then check the internal temp with an internal meat thermometer. If it isn’t too temp yet continue microwaving at 3 minute intervals until an internal temp of 165 degrees F. has been reached.
- Storage: store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Serve: serve with roasted broccolini and some herbed potatoes!
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