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Overhead view of large stainless steel pot with whole chicken, broth, carrot and green parsley in it.

How to boil whole chicken

Nataliia
Learn how to boil a whole chicken to get super juicy and flavorful meat and a bonus jar of nutritious broth. This recipe is fast, does not require chopping, and makes the juiciest shredded chicken with lots of healthy broth. 
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 240 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large stock pot
  • 1 kitchen instant thermometer
  • 1 set of measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 1 whole chicken
  • 1 gallon tap water (for the first boil, when water will be discarded)
  • 1 gallon filtered water (or tap), which will be the broth or as needed
  • 2 carrots, washed and scrubbed
  • 1 small parsnip, washed and scrubbed
  • 2 celery ribs, washed and cut in halve
  • 1 small yellow onion, peeled
  • 2 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 2 teaspoons salt, to taste
  • 2-3 bay leaves
  • 10 whole black peppercorns

Instructions
 

  • Add a whole chicken to the pot. Add enough of tap water to cover the chicken. Bring to vigorous boil and let it boil for 2-3 minutes. Carefully take out the chicken and set it aside. Dump the water and rinse the pot. Rinse the chicken briefly in cold water as well. See note below*.
  • Add the chicken back to the rinsed pot. Then, add whole peeled veggies, salt, bay leaves and whole peppercorns. Add a gallon of filtered water. You may need more or less of water, as much as it needs to cover the chicken.
  • Cover with a lid and bring everything to a boil. Turn the heat on the lowest setting and let it gently simmer for about one hour or until the chicken is fully cooked. See note below*.
  • Remove the chicken and let it cool down. Now, you can serve it or carve and shred it. for storage. Discard the veggies. Use a mesh strainer to strain the broth. Transfer clear broth to the jar or a container and store it in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.

Notes

  • if you do not want to have to remove the brown froth that will appear on top, dump the first water you boiled the chicken in.
  • If the chicken and broth continue to boil vigorously even on the lowest stove setting, slightly open the lid to reduce the intensity of the boil. It should be simmering very gently.
  • you can freeze shredded chicken and the broth separately in portions for up to 3 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 4ozCalories: 240kcalProtein: 21gFat: 17g
Keyword boiled whole chicken, how to boil a whole chicken, shredded chicken
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