Boiling chicken legs is an effortless and delicious way to prepare succulent, succulent meat that can then be shred or crisped up later.
Be sure to skim off any impurities or foam that arises during the boiling process for optimal flavor.
How to Boil Chicken Legs
Boiling chicken legs is an efficient and time-saving way to ensure they’re done quickly and thoroughly cooked through, locking in moisture that makes for super tender and flavorful meat that’s easy to reheat in different ways later for future meals. Boiled chicken legs make great additions to casseroles or soups or make for an easy healthy lunch option on their own!
Boil chicken legs using either a regular pot or pressure cooker; depending on their size, this could take 20 to 30 minutes depending on which method is chosen. Frozen pieces may need an additional 5-15 minutes for cooking time. When done, their internal temperature should reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit or 74 degrees Celsius as measured with a meat thermometer placed into thickest part of drumstick, thigh or quarter. If they don’t quite reach this mark yet, use oven, stovetop, air fryer or microwave as necessary until reaching desired internal temperature.
Once your chicken is finished cooking, take it off the heat and drain off any excess liquid. Season it to add additional flavors by seasoning it with spices or sauces for extra taste, or bake, grill, or broil it. For baking purposes, cover it in oil or butter before placing it on a baking sheet before preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and baking for 10 minutes, until golden brown in color. Alternatively, brush it before baking with your preferred flavorful sauces such as BBQ sauce, honey mustard or any other of your favorites to add extra flavor while crispiness before baking for added crispiness and crunchy crispiness!
Preparation
Preparation is key when boiling chicken legs. First, rinse to remove any dirt or debris, pat them dry, and season as desired – adding salt, pepper or any other herbs/spices such as dried spices can add an extra tasty dimension! When choosing a pot to boil chicken in, make sure it holds enough cold water, because hot steamy water could overcook and leave rubbery texture behind!
An average rule for boiling chicken is 20 minutes for every pound, although the length of time can depend upon its size and any additional ingredients such as onions, garlic or herbs added to the water – such as onions.
Once the chicken has been fully cooked and cooled, it should be removed from its container and refrigerated before seasoning with additional herbs and spices and reheating before being served. When reheating in an oven, ensure that each leg reaches an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before placing them back into your serving tray – this ensures that your dish will be safe to consume!
When it comes to chicken legs, meat thermometers are an invaluable way to determine their doneness. Simply insert their probe into the thickest part of a drumstick, thigh or quarter and it should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit when complete. A knife may also be used to cut through and see if juices run clear; skin should also be white and opaque with no pink hues visible. If not fully cooked through, return it back into boiling for 5-10 more minutes, drain, store in an airtight container for up to 3 days in your fridge before refrigerating or heating up leftovers either microwaved, stove top or oven for another delicious meal experience!
Cooking Time
Boiling chicken legs takes only 20 minutes whether you use fresh or frozen legs. This fast cooking method makes the perfect meal on-the-go or for meal prep ahead of time; with tender meat that falls off of the bone with ease. Simply enjoy them plain, shred it, or crisp for even more texture options!
Once your chicken legs have been placed in a large pot with enough water to cover them completely, add your favorite herbs or spices for additional flavoring and seasoning – salt is optional but highly recommended as it helps elevate flavor without making your dish taste bland.
Gently bring the mixture to a boil before turning down the flame and simmering it for approximately one hour – this will ensure your chicken legs are thoroughly cooked. To test whether or not they’re done, use a meat thermometer to test its internal temperature; it should reach 165oF to indicate it’s safe for consumption.
As soon as your cooking time is up, let the chicken cool down for several minutes before refrigerating for up to four days in an airtight container. Proper storage of boiled chicken legs ensures they remain fresh while also not picking up odors from other foods stored nearby.
For optimal results when baking or grilling your boiled chicken, place it on a parchment-paper-lined baking tray and preheating your oven at a high temperature. Bake the legs for around 10 minutes while turning them half way through, or alternatively put them directly on a hot grill until both sides have become golden-brown in color.
Once your chicken has been thoroughly cool, you have two options for reheating: on the stovetop or microwave. However, microwave reheating can often result in dry meat; therefore it is preferable to rewarm using the stovetop. Boil chicken legs pair nicely with many side dishes such as roasted vegetables and salads or can even be added directly into a soup or stew for additional flavour! Additionally, once shredded it can also be used as filler in sandwiches or tacos.
Storage
Chicken legs are an exceptionally flavorful and versatile food, suitable for numerous ways of preparation. Boiling is one of the more popular methods used for this protein-rich meat and produces results that are both succulent and juicy – it makes serving multiple people easier as multiple batches can be cooked at the same time!
For deliciously cooked boiled chicken, the key lies in using fresh, unfrozen meat that has been heated to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit – this will ensure it is completely cooked and safe to consume. A meat thermometer or inserting it directly into one of the thickest sections can help measure this.
Undercooked poultry poses a significant health risk that could potentially result in serious illness, including salmonella poisoning. If your boiled chicken begins to spoil quickly after boiling, discard immediately as this could be cause food poisoning as well as overstoring for more than three hours, which is also risky.
Once your chicken is cooked, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for three days before moving it to a freezer-safe container for up to two months of storage. Simply label both containers before moving your frozen chicken.
Boiled chicken legs make delicious accompaniments for complete meals, pairing well with roast vegetables, steamed rice or quinoa and fresh salads as side dishes. Furthermore, other proteins such as seared fish fillets or pulled pork provide additional protein punch.
Boiled chicken legs can also be coated in sauces to add additional flavor and texture, such as teriyaki, BBQ or lemon pepper seasoned. After boiling the chicken legs in water, their skin can be crisped by placing each piece onto a wire rack inside of an oven-safe baking sheet before being coated in sauce and broiling until its golden-brown hue emerges.