I'm often asked " How long do i boil chicken " ? . The answer depends on how large the chicken breasts / legs are , and whether they have bones in them or not. If the chicken pieces do have bones in them , it can take up to 2 hours for the chicken to cook properly and become tender. Boneless chicken pieces normally take around 40 - 45 minutes to cook properly , although again , this time will vary depending on chicken thickness. You can read a more comprehensive guide in the Can i boil boneless skinless chicken breast article.

If your boiling a whole chicken , this will take around 2 - 3 hours to cook. The best way to test if it's cooked is to insert a knife or fork deep into the breast of the chicken , peel it back a little and check that the meat is completely white throughout , and that the juices run clear. If the juices are still red or pink , the chicken is not yet properly cooked , and should be checked in 30 minute intervals from there on until cooked.

Remember when boiling chicken , to bring the water to the boil first , add the chicken , wait until it begins to boil again and then reduce to a simmer - start your cooking time from then. When asking yourself how long do i boil chicken , the answer always changes depending on the size of the bird , thickness of the chicken pieces you are using , and whether its on the bone or not, so use the above guidelines to be safe.