Poached Chicken Recipe: How to Poach Chicken at Home

Poached chicken is a common preparation of chicken that involves submerging the meat in a warm saltwater bath until it is moist and thoroughly cooked. This moist-heat cooking method—which uses moisture instead of fat to lock in the meat’s juices—produces exceptionally tender chicken breasts.

Whether you shred or slice it, this healthful chicken preparation will complement a variety of dishes. Some popular uses of poached chicken include:

1. 1. BBQ pulled chicken: Combine shredded chicken with your favorite barbecue sauce for easy BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches.
2. 2. Burritos and tacos: Shred your poached chicken and combine it with your favorite salsa for a tasty burrito or taco filling.
3. 3. Casseroles: Add shredded poached chicken to your favorite casserole recipes to shave down your cooking time.
4. 4. Enchiladas: Tender, shredded poached chicken makes an excellent addition to red or green chicken enchiladas.
5. 5. Pastas: Sliced poached chicken is a great way to add protein to a pasta main course. Incorporate slices of the tender meat into creamy alfredo pasta, cacio e pepe, or pesto pasta.
6. 6. Pot pies: Add diced poached chicken to your favorite pot pie recipe to reduce your preparation time for this classic dish. This chicken pot pie recipe is easy to make and customize to your preference.
7. 7. Salads: Add sliced or diced poached chicken to your favorite salads for a healthy boost of lean protein. Alternatively, shred the poached chicken and add it to a creamy chicken salad recipe.
   
8. 8. Sandwiches: Swap store-bought sandwich meat for thinly sliced poached chicken breast, which can easily complement your favorite condiments and toppings.
9. 9. Soups: Shredded or diced poached chicken makes an excellent addition to chicken noodle soup, Mexican tortilla soup, and other soups and stews. Add the pre-cooked meat to your chicken soup towards the end of cooking to prevent it from drying out.

Follow these tips to make tender, flavorful poached chicken every time.

1. 1. Experiment with different seasonings. Infuse your poaching liquid with various fresh and dried herbs, vegetables, and spices for different variations in flavor. Add in dried or fresh herbs, like fresh thyme, rosemary sprigs, oregano, dill, and parsley. Add whole and ground spices, like red pepper flakes, whole peppercorns, cloves, coriander, and cumin. Mix in flavorful produce like chunks of onion, peeled garlic cloves, peeled ginger, and lemon segments.
2. 2. Switch up the liquid. For an extra-flavorful take on poached chicken, cook the meat in a low-sodium vegetable or chicken broth, which will infuse it with a richer flavor. Alternatively, add white wine or beer to the liquid for complexity.
3. 3. Pick the right pot. When poaching chicken breasts, it’s important not to overcrowd or layer the pieces of meat, which can lead to uneven cooking. Pick a pot that fits all of the chicken breasts in a single layer at its base. A smaller pot can usually hold 2 breasts, but opt for a larger Dutch oven or stockpot if you’re making more.
4. 4. Store in an airtight container. Allow your poached chicken breasts to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Alternatively, place the chicken in a freezer-proof bag and freeze for up to 3 months.