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sliced poached chicken breast on white cutting board
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5 from 44 votes

Perfect Poached Chicken Breasts

When it comes to poached chicken breasts, my fool-proof recipe is guaranteed to make the juiciest, most tender, flavorful chicken breasts you have ever had!
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Entree
Cuisine: American, French
Diet: Low Calorie, Low Fat
Servings: 4
Calories: 184kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 - 1¼ lbs chicken breasts boneless skinless breasts (chicken breasts will run 8-10 ounces each)
  • 4 cups chicken broth or water
  • 1 lemon quartered
  • teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

  • Remove the chicken breasts from the package and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes.
  • Add the chicken broth to a saucepan big enough to hold the chicken breasts. The chicken broth should be high enough in the pan to cover the chicken breasts.
  • Add lemon quarters and black pepper to the broth.
  • Bring the mixture to a boil.
  • When the broth begins to boil, add the chicken breasts to the pan in a single layer.
    Do not stack the chicken breasts.
  • When the broth with the chicken breasts has returned to a boil, cover the pan and remove it from the heat.
    Do not let it cook over the heat!
  • Let the chicken breasts remain in the covered saucepan for 25 minutes.
  • Remove the chicken from the broth and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
    Save the broth to make chicken soup or gravy. If you don't need the chicken broth right away it can be frozen in an airtight container or ziplock bag.
  • Refrigerate any chicken that you are not immediately using.
    Store well wrapped or in an airtight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 184kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 95mg | Sodium: 1037mg | Potassium: 605mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 54IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 24mg | Iron: 1mg