This is the only Poached Chicken Recipe you’ll ever need! Chicken breasts are cooked in water with aromatic garlic cloves and fresh rosemary until cooked through and deliciously tender. Serve it with some soy dressing (recipe included) for the best bold flavor!
What’s in this Poached Chicken Recipe
This boiled chicken recipe features a handful of fresh ingredients that take it from bland to bold. Don’t forget to serve it with the soy dressing!
- Chicken Breasts: Remove the fat from the chicken breasts before poaching.
- Garlic: You’ll need fresh garlic cloves for this recipe. Do not try to substitute garlic powder, pre-minced garlic or garlic paste. None of them will create the same flavor.
- Rosemary: Fresh rosemary creates the most wonderful aromatic element.
- Avocado: Serving the chicken with sliced avocado makes this healthy recipe even better for you!
- Rice: I also like to round out this entree with some cooked white rice.
- Snap Peas: These pair very well with the fresh avocado slices and really create a wonderful crisp bite.
- Soy Sauce: Swap this with coconut aminos or tamari for a gluten-free meal.
- Honey: I like to use organic, local honey when I can.
- Fresh Cilantro: This really seals the deal on that fresh flavor.
- Lime Juice: For the best flavor, use the freshly squeezed juice from a lime and not the bottled alternative.
- Salt and Pepper: Just a few pinches of each, to taste.
PRO TIP: Let the chicken rest before slicing it.
What’s the best chicken to use?
I prefer to poach skinless and boneless chicken breast. The chicken can be cooked with the skin on, but it really doesn’t add anything as it won’t be crispy. You can use bone in chicken breast if you prefer.
For the best tasting chicken, buy organic/free range and one that has been raised without antibiotics.
It only takes about 15 minutes to cook chicken in this way, so it’s a great option for an easy weeknight meal. The time may vary depending on the thickness of your breast. The poached chicken is done when the chicken is opaque and an instant read thermometer registers 165°F.
This is the healthiest way of cooking chicken as no oils or fats are added to it unlike with other methods. This recipe also has no added salt, the chicken is flavored by adding garlic and herbs to the water that it is being cooked in.
Poaching the chicken (letting it sit in cool water before it boils, then letting it simmer slowly) ensures you get moist, tender, and juicy chicken that’s not overcooked.
How to Store and Reheat
Once it’s totally cooled to room temperature, you can store leftover poached chicken in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Reheat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until warmed all the way through.
How to Freeze
You can freeze poached chicken once it cools to room temperature. Just be sure to store it in a freezer safe container and it’ll last for up to 3 months. Let it slowly thaw in the fridge prior to reheating.
Serving Suggestions
There are so many ways to enjoy poached chicken! While I love it with fresh veggies and rice, you can get even more creative with cilantro lime rice and Asian cucumber salad. Both taste great with the soy dressing.
Top Reader Review
- “I love how easy this is to make! We do it all of the time! Love the tip on boiling in water with herbs. Such a great idea!” – Beth
More Chicken Breast Recipes We Love
- Pan Seared Chicken Breast
- Air Fryer Chicken Breast
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Instant Pot Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Breast
Poached Chicken Recipe – How to Poach Chicken
Ingredients
For Poached Chicken:
- 2 chicken breasts
- 4-5 garlic cloves
- 2 rosemary stems
- ½ avocado
- 2 cups cooked rice optional
- 1 cup snap peas optional
Sauce Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp honey
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro chopped
- Juice of 1 lime
- pinch salt & pepper
Instructions
Poached chicken Instructions:
- Remove fat from chicken breasts
- Fill a medium sized pot with water, garlic cloves and rosemary
- Add the chicken breasts in the water
- Bring to boil and skim off foam/froth that’s formed
- Reduce heat to low, cover with lid and simmer for 15 minutes
- Remove chicken from water
- Let chicken sit for 2-3 minutes, then slice
- Pair with avocado, steamed rice and snap peas!
Sauce instructions:
- In a jar add soy sauce, honey, lime juice, cilantro, salt and black pepper
- Secure lid and shake well until sauce is combined
- Drizzle over poached chicken and rice
Recipe was contributed by Michaella from Well + Yum
Kristyn says
Thank you for sharing this!! It is so easy & a great way to cook chicken. I love the sauce!! I could add that to so many other things!!
Becky Hardin says
I’m glad you love it!! Let me know what else you try the sauce on!
Beth says
I love how easy this is to make! We do it all of the time! Love the tip on boiling in water with herbs. Such a great idea!
Becky Hardin says
Thank you, Beth! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Katie says
LOVE how easy this recipe is to follow! Turned out so yummy!
Becky Hardin says
I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed it, Katie!
Valerie says
My mom used to boil chicken all of the time when I was younger. Shehad never enjoyed cooking so she found it the easiest way to make it.
Becky Hardin says
One of my favorite methods too!!
Laura Reese says
I cook with chicken for many of our family meals. This method is healthier and so easy! I am so glad I can make it for my family!
Becky Hardin says
I’m glad you love it, Laura!