How to Boil Chicken Thighs (Fresh or Frozen)
If you're looking for tender, juicy, easy-to-shred chicken thighs then you'll want to follow my step-by-step instructions on how to boil chicken thighs. This mess-free, simple, and quick cooking method will quickly become one of your favorite ways to make bone-in chicken thighs!
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: dinner
- Method: stove top cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in chicken thighs (fresh, with skin)
- 2 tablespoons chicken bouillon (optional)
Instructions
- Place your chicken thighs in the bottom of a large stockpot. They can overlap and stack on top of each other.
- Add cold water to your stockpot to fully submerge the chicken in the water. I like to fill the pot to within a couple of inches from the top.
- Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium, add the chicken bouillon, and continue cooking the chicken thighs at a gentle boil for 20-30 minutes. Check for doneness using a digital instant-read thermometer.
- When fully cooked, use a slotted spoon or kitchen tongs to remove the thighs from the water. I like to press the thighs against the side of the pot to squeeze as much water out of them as possible. Place the chicken thighs on a rimmed baking sheet skin side up.
- Broil the thighs in your oven on high until the skin is golden brown and crisp. This usually takes about 5-8 minutes.
- Remove the boiled chicken from the oven and serve immediately!
Notes
- Chicken is fully cooked when it has reached an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooked chicken will no longer be pink, juices will run clear, and the meat will easily shred and pull away from the bone.
- Frozen chicken thighs will take 10-15 minutes longer to boil than fresh chicken thighs. So if you're making frozen chicken thighs, they will take up to 45 minutes to fully cook.
- The nutrition information shown below is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 427
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 176.5 mg
- Fat: 32.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 0.5 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31.9 g
- Cholesterol: 189.1 mg