Bacterial contamination can be traced in undercooked or raw chicken thighs. Again, overcooking the thighs makes the chicken dry, and no one wants to taste that. So how long to boil chicken thighs for the perfect result?
Depending on the condition of the chicken, such as boneless, bone-in, or frozen, you will need to boil the chicken for 15 to 45 minutes accordingly. And the temperature of the internal chicken thighs should be 165°F for the succulent and tender result.
Read on to learn what the boiling water temperature should be, how to prepare the chicken, and how to freeze and reheat leftover thigh meat.
How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs?
The condition of the chicken thighs determines how long you need to boil them to get a tender and juicy serving. For example:
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Bone-In Thighs
These thighs are inexpensive and easier to make them flavourful and tender. Bone-in thighs usually take 20 to 30 minutes to cook properly at a low boiling temperature.
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Boneless Thighs
Unlike bone-in thighs, you can cook boneless thighs quickly. But boneless thighs are a little tricky to boil as they can develop into a rubbery form when cooked too quickly.
Therefore, paying attention to water temperature while cooking boneless thighs is necessary. This thighs condition takes 15 to 20 minutes to boil in simmering water.
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Frozen Thighs
You can cook frozen thighs directly without thawing, but you’ll need to cook them separately in a single layer. However, cooking frozen thighs can increase the boiling time by about 50%.
Bone-in frozen thighs can take 45-55 minutes, and boneless frozen thighs can take 35-45 minutes to cook.
What Should Be The Cooking Temperature Of Boiling Water?
The water temperature is important in making your cooked thighs juicy and tender. First, boil the water at high heat, then check the meat’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer.
If the chicken thigh temperature is 165°F, turn the heat to low. So basically, there’s no specific water temperature; you need to adjust the heat to make the water temperature suitable for chicken thighs.
Alternative Methods to Boil Chicken Thighs Except For Water
Generally, boiling chicken thighs on the stove is the easiest way to prepare your delicious serving. Still, if you want to use alternative ways, here are some recommendations for fool-proof cooking processes.
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Microwave
Place chicken thighs in an oven-proof dish and cover 1 or 2 inches of the thighs with water. Now microwave for 5 minutes at a high temperature.
After that, check the inner temperature of your chicken thighs. If the temperature is below 165°F, continue microwaving until the pieces reach this particular temperature internally.
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Instant Pot
Place the chicken thighs in the pot and pour 1 or 2 cups of chicken broth or water. Then turn on the instant pot and set it in “manual” mode at high pressure for 5-8 minutes. After that, release pressure for 5 mins and take your chicken thighs off the pot.
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Streamer
It’s a low-calorie healthy way to cook. However, this method is ideal for skinless and boneless chicken thighs.
First, place the thigh pieces on the streamer over a boiling pot. Allow the thighs to stream for 10-15 minutes or until the thighs are cooked. Check the temperature of the chicken before taking them off the streamer.
Preparation For Boiling Chicken Thighs On The Stove
Here’s the list of equipment and ingredients, along with the boiling process of chicken thighs on the stove.
Equipment
- A large pot
- A lid to cover
- A tong or spoon to stir
- A cutting board, bowl, or plate
Ingredients
- Water or chicken broth
- 5-6 pieces of chicken thighs (boneless or bone-in)
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil or cooking oil
- Half a teaspoon of black pepper
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of seasoning (optional)
Boiling Process
- First, put your chicken thighs and pour water to cover the chicken in the pot.
- Now add the other ingredients like salt, black pepper, olive oil, and seasoning.
- Give the thighs and ingredients a good stir to mix everything.
- Place the pot on the stove and boil the water at high heat.
- Once the water comes to a high boil, turn the heat low.
- Now cook the thigh pieces for 15 to 25 mins. However, if the thighs are still undercooked after 25 mins, keep cooking until the pieces are cooked.
- Once the chicken is cooked, let the thighs cool down in the water for 5-8 mins.
- After that, remove the chicken and serve your delicious dish with boiled thighs.
Here’s a chart for the nutrients per serving in boiled chicken thighs:
| Nutrition | Quantity |
| Protein | 24g |
| Fat | 13g |
| Saturated fat | 3g |
| Sodium | 476mg |
| Cholesterol | 121mg |
| Calories | 210 |
| Calcium | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 4% |
| Iron | 10% |
How To Tell If Chicken Thighs Are Done?
According to the safe cooking temperature by the US Department of Agriculture, your chicken thigh is cooked when the internal temperature is 165°F.
Use a thermometer to read the temperature, and make sure to stick the meter on the thickest part of the thighs and not touch the bones. Some additional ways can also be applied:
- After cutting the thighs, meat juice comes clear and not pink.
- Cooked thighs look plumper and bigger than uncooked ones.
- Thigh flesh looks opaque, not translucent. Bone-in thighs flesh may remain pink near the bones due to pigment.
How To Store and Freeze Boiled Chicken Thighs?
Leftover boiled chicken thighs can be frozen for a maximum of 4 days in air-tight containers. And freezer-safe container can keep your leftover foods in good condition for up to 4 months.
Before storing leftovers in containers, consider cooling the food completely. Don’t forget to place a label with the date of storage in the container.
You can reheat leftover thighs when you want to reserve them with your other meals, such as salad or sandwich.
How Can You Reheat Leftover Chicken Thighs After Frezzing?
Here’s the process of reheating leftover boiled thighs after refrigerating:
- First, thaw frozen leftover thighs overnight on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator to prevent bacterial contamination.
- Put the thawed leftovers in a pan and add water or broth in a small amount. Boil it in medium heat until the thighs are warmed through.
- You can also reheat leftovers in a microwave on a covered dish at 350°F. Microwave for a min or two or until the thighs reach 165°F internally.
FAQs
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Can I add vegetables while boiling chicken thighs?
Yes, you can. But you need to let the thighs cook a bit before adding vegetables like onion, carrot, and bay leaves.
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How can I avoid overboiling my chicken thighs?
The simple way is to use a meat thermometer and read the temperature of the thighs while boiling. You should keep the internal temperature to 165°F for proper cooking, not overcooking.
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How to fix overcooked and tough chicken thighs?
First, shred the thighs using a knife into bite-sized pieces. Pour a smidgen of chicken stock into the pan and make the liquid hot, not boiled. Pour the shredded thighs and cook for a few minutes to restore the moisture.
Conclusion
So you now know how long to boil chicken thighs, what should be the liquid temperature, and how to prepare thighs for boiling. We’ve also added the process of freezing and reheating the leftover chicken thighs for your convenience.
However, ensure you don’t overcook the chicken thighs when reheating or fixing tough shredded thighs in broth from overcooking, as this can dry out the chicken even more.
Maintain the inner temperature of the chicken for tender and juicy results!
