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Simple Recipes for Every Day

Perfect Poached Chicken

perfect poached chicken sliced on a cutting board cooked in chicken broth, salt, bay leaf, peppercorns and garlic
  • Serves:  8
  • Prep Time:  10 min
  • Cook Time:  15 min

Ingredients

  • 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1½ pounds)
  • 1 tablespoons kosher salt
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 4 black peppercorns
  • 1 garlic clove, smashed

Method

  1. Place the chicken in a large pot. Add the salt, bay leaf, peppercorns, garlic, and enough water to fully submerge the chicken.

  2. Bring the water to a simmer over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the internal temperature of the chicken has reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer, about 10-15 minutes.

  3. Remove the pot from the heat. Let the chicken rest in the liquid for 3 to 5 minutes.

  4. Slice the chicken and serve.


Note: For a more savory flavor, you can swap in chicken stock for the water!