Name: How to Poach Chicken
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 1 tsp sea salt; 1 tsp black peppercorns; 2-3 sprigs of rosemary; 1 lemon, sliced; 4 garlic cloves, smashed with the flat side of a knife; 4 chicken breasts, skinless and boneless (see note 1)

Question 1

What does poaching mean?

Accepted Answer

If you love cooking, you've probably heard the term "poaching" used before. But what does it actually mean? Poaching is a cooking technique in which food is cooked in liquid, typically water or broth. The liquid is kept at a very low simmer so that the food gently cooks through without becoming tough or dry. Poaching is often used for delicate foods like eggs and fish, which can easily fall apart if cooked too quickly, and it works great for chicken too! When done correctly, poaching results in food that is moist and flavourful.

Question 2

What are the benefits of poaching chicken?

Accepted Answer

While it may not be the most glamorous cooking method, poaching chicken can actually be quite beneficial. For one thing, it is a very healthy way to prepare meat. Since the chicken is cooked in water, there is no need to add any additional oil or fat. This makes it a great option for those who are trying to eat lighter. Additionally, poaching chicken can help to keep the meat moist and flavourful. When chicken is cooked using dry heat methods such as frying or grilling, the juices can quickly evaporate, making the meat dry and tough. However, because poaching chicken involves cooking it in liquid, it retains more moisture, resulting in a juicier and more tender final product.

Poached chicken can also be easily customised to suit any flavour profile. Simply adding different herbs or spices to the poaching liquid can create a completely new dish. Perhaps best of all, poaching is one of the quickest and easiest ways to cook chicken.

Question 3

How do I add flavour?

Accepted Answer

There are so many ways you can add flavour to poached chicken. Cook it with aromatic vegetables. chopped onion, garlic, celery or ginger. Another option is to add some spices to the poaching liquid. Popular choices include bay leaves, peppercorns and fresh herbs.

You simply need to add the ingredients to the poaching liquid before cooking. A few ideas to try are:
•	Classic poached chicken with lemon, rosemary and garlic
•	Asian-inspired chicken with ginger, spring onion, lemongrass, chilli and garlic
•	Winter spiced chicken breasts with shallots, cloves, cinnamon and thyme

Question 4

What type of chicken can be poached?

Accepted Answer

The great news is that you can poach pretty much any cut of chicken. The one part that doesn't poach well is chicken skin as you can't achieve that crisp golden coating to your fillet. However, you can poach the skin too, if you are planning to remove it before eating. It will actually slide right off after cooking.

Question 5

Do I start with hot or cold water?

Accepted Answer

To get the juiciest poached chicken you should start with cold water. This will bring the chicken up to the cooking temperature more evenly, ensuring it cooks consistently throughout. If you start with hot water then the chicken will poach on the outside before the inside rises to the temperature needed to start cooking.

Question 6

How long does it take to poach chicken?

Accepted Answer

When poaching chicken using my method (cold water brought to a low simmer) then the amount of time it will take depends on a few factors. The volume of water used will have a significant impact since you need to bring this to a low simmer after adding the chicken. The more water you use, the longer this will take.

Once the water reaches a low simmer it will take around 10-12 minutes to poach a medium-sized chicken breast (around 120-150g / 4-5oz). If you are using larger breasts you may need to increase the cooking time by an additional 5-10 minutes. The best way to check that it is done is to use a kitchen thermometer. Remove the chicken when it reaches 68-70C (155 - 158F) then leave it to rest for 5 minutes which will allow it to come up to the recommended temperature of 75C (165F).

Question 7

How long does it keep?

Accepted Answer

Poached chicken can be kept in the same manner as chicken cooked via other methods. It will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.

Since poached chicken is excellent to toss into salads or sandwiches this makes it ideal to have a breast or two ready in the fridge for whenever you need them.

If you want to reheat the poached chicken then there are a few things you can do to make sure it stays juicy and tender. If microwaving add it to a bowl with a splash of water and cover before zapping. You can also reheat it on the hob/stove by placing it in a pan with a small amount of water and letting it simmer for a few minutes, turning the breasts halfway through. This is also a particularly good method if you have shredded or sliced the chicken.

Question 8

Why do you need to rest meat?

Accepted Answer

It's always worth making sure you allow for time to rest meat after cooking. For one thing, it allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring that your fillet is evenly cooked and juicy throughout. When meat is cooked, the proteins begin to contract and squeeze out the juices. If you carved into the chicken immediately, all of those delicious juices would run out, leaving your meat dry. By letting the chicken rest, you give the proteins time to relax and reabsorb the juices.

Finally, resting meat also allows it to reach a safe internal temperature, as the juices in the chicken will continue to simmer even after it has been removed from the heat source. If you time everything right (or use a kitchen thermometer to be on the safe side) then this means you will have chicken cooked to exactly the right temperature and no further, which would lead to it becoming tough.

Question 9

What can I use poached chicken for?

Accepted Answer

There are endless possibilities when it comes to what you can do with poached chicken. It's perfect for salads. Try it in this chicken and bacon salad or this curried chicken salad.

You can also shred it and add it to soups or wraps. Why not try this slow cooker coconut chicken soup. Simply add the chicken at the end of the cooking time to warm through.

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous you can add it to a curry such as this chicken rogan josh. You could also try this teriyaki chicken donburi or this chicken and chorizo jambalaya.

How to Poach Chicken

Description

Ingredients

Instructions

Notes

Nutrition