boiling chicken?

Question

hope this isnt a stupid question, but i have a great new recipe for chicken enchiladas and it says to boil the chicken then shred it, i have always grilled so i dont know how to boil i bought frozen chicken breasts but don't know how long to boil them, i don't want to overcook and can i start with frozen? is it better to let them thaw? thanks for all of your tips!!

Answer 1

I think the reason the recipe wants the chicken cooked this way is so that the texture will be "soft" and shreddable and the flavor will be chicken and nothing else. That will probably let your sauce and/or cheese or whatever stand out. I actually prefer to steam chicken for this sort of thing. If you have a metal vegetable steamer, put it in your saucepan with water below and the chicken in the steamer basket. Cover it and cook until the chicken is cooked (about 15-20 minutes) You may need to add more water because of the long cooking time.

And, yes, you can start with frozen if you cook them this way.

Answer 2

Boiling Chicken For Enchiladas

Answer 3

1

Answer 4

Not a stupid question, at all! :-))

You do not have to boil the chicken unless you want to. Grill it, if that is what you are used to. The idea is to get the chicken cooked!

Do not overcook, or it will be harder to shred. I think the idea with boiling is to cook the chicken through, but keep it soft enough to shred easily.

Me, I'd bake it in the oven at about 350 for 45 minutes to an hour or so (for defrosted, boneless, skinless chicken breasts). I might cut it into strips, and cook on top of the stove, until cooked through, and browned a bit.

You may start with frozen, but they take longer to cook. Cut into them, when you think they are done. If the juice runs clear, not red or pink, they are done!

Thawing chicken can be risky (bacteria). Do it in the fridge for a day or two, or in the microwave, or, on the countertop - but only if you are home to use the chicken as soon as it thaws. You do not want it too sit around too long when it is warm.

I only boil chicken when I am making soup, so I cannot advise on this method for enchiladas.

Cook (any way that you prefer - you can sautee it on the stove-top, too!), then shred.

I hope this helps! :-))

Answer 5

I would grill rather than boil the chicken breasts. Boiling takes all the flavor out. Let them thaw in the refrigerator first. You could microwave the chicken or put in a slow cooker with a little broth. It will cook thru and there probably won't be much shredding to do.

Answer 6

You can start with frozen or thawed. Just put it in a pot with enough water to cover and gently simmer until it's no longer pink in the middle. About 20 mins for thawed - 30 or so for frozen. You can over boil it (it will get tough) so cook it just until the pink is gone (remember- it still will cook when you cook the enchiladas).

Answer 7

Do not let the water come to a boil and the chicken will remain more tender. Add some seasonings to the water like salt, onion or celery.

Answer 8

I prefer not to boil chicken when making enchiladas. It usually does not have as much flavor.

I made Chicken Enchiladas on Sunday. I cooked the chicken in a pan on the stove top with onions, garlic, salt pepper, and Ortega chilies.

You can start with frozen breasts and brown them with the onions and garlic. Add Ortega chilies and cook with the lid.

Answer 9

You don't have to wait for it to thaw,but I would add some chopped celery, onions and green peppers,if i was boiling chicken just to add flavor along with seasoning.

Answer 10

best way is to thaw-first. it's almost impossible to over-cook just keep enough liquid in the pot.
for a whole chicken-
i use onion ,garlic,celery,cabbage,carrots,cilantro and some red potatos,bay-leaf,whole-black pepper,salt

pot the chick and cover with water add bay-leafs,garlic,onion,salt and pepper.
bring to boil turn down heat and cook for 45-mins-1-hr.
add 1/4 rd potatos ,cabbage,2-big stalks celery 3-inch lenghts
cover and cook till potatos are done -add salt as needed
do not stir too much i'll break up the cabbage
let stand till cool remove chicken cut the breast away and place in bowl for the enchiladas-
return the rest of the bird to the pot -and add 1-small can tomato-sauce ,1/2-cup rice bring to boil and reduce and cover for 30-minutes covered ,-(serve as a consome along with your new recipe )