Poached Chicken Breasts

By Yewande Komolafe

Updated June 13, 2025

Poached Chicken Breasts
Nico Schinco for The New York Times, Food Stylist: Kaitlin Wayne.
Total Time
20 minutes, plus cooling
Prep Time
5 minutes
Cook Time
15 minutes, plus cooling
Rating
4(83)
Comments
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This quick and versatile poached chicken breast recipe can stay in your stable through many seasons. Need an elegant topping for a bright spring salad? An easily portable contribution for a potluck picnic? A simple sandwich anchor for a midday lunch? The chicken is ready in just a few minutes, and works just as well after a day or two in the fridge. As written, the poaching liquid’s aromatics skew on the lighter side, so as not to overwhelm any accompanying condiments, dressings and sauces, but you can always double or triple your preferred elements to strengthen the flavor profile.

Featured in: How Healthy Is Chicken Breast?

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Ingredients

Yield:3 chicken breasts
  • 3boneless, skinless chicken breasts (5 to 6 ounces each)
  • 1teaspoon whole black peppercorns
  • 1dried bay leaf
  • 2garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
  • Kosher salt (Diamond Crystal)
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (3 servings)

193 calories; 4 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 1 gram monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 1 gram carbohydrates; 0 grams dietary fiber; 0 grams sugars; 35 grams protein; 370 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the chicken breasts in a medium saucepan, add enough water to cover by 1 inch and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the peppercorns, bay leaf and garlic, and season with a modest amount of salt.

  2. Step 2

    Bring to a boil, then skim and discard foam, and reduce heat to maintain a low simmer. Cover and simmer chicken until tender and cooked through, 12 to 15 minutes.

  3. Step 3

    Transfer chicken to a cutting board and discard the poaching liquid. When the chicken is cool enough to touch, thinly slice it against the grain at an angle.

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Ratings

4 out of 5
83 user ratings
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Comments

ManhattaPaul

The chicken will remain juicier if you vaguely undercook it, remove the pan from the stove, and let the chicken cool in the cooking liquid 10 minutes or so. Also, try using chicken stock (good-quality packaged is fine) as part or all of the cooking liquid: it will result in tastier chicken and a richer broth which can be used for something else.

ink

Why would you discard the poaching liquid - that can be turned into precious stock

C Butler

add a few slices of fresh ginger to enhance flavour

Xavi

I’m sick so I added some star anise & ginger as a nice appetizing broth tonic to sip on while the chicken is cooking. 10/10, great base recipe that can be built on easily.

Autumn

How will the recipe be affected if I use frozen chicken?

Steve Ball

I simmer it a little longer,never boil.

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