Tender Ina Garten Poached Chicken Breast Recipe Made Easy

Ina Garten’s poached chicken breast elevates a simple protein into a sublime culinary experience.

Simmering chicken gently unlocks remarkable flavor depths with minimal effort.

Each tender morsel emerges infused with delicate, nuanced tastes that dance across your palate.

Professional chefs have long celebrated this technique for its elegant simplicity and health-conscious approach.

The method transforms ordinary chicken into a luxurious, mouthwatering delicacy that requires just a few ingredients.

No complicated techniques stand between you and restaurant-quality results.

Embrace this foolproof cooking technique that promises restaurant-worthy chicken every single time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Calories: 220 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredients Inside Ina Garten Poached Chicken

• Chicken Breast: Select plump, uniform breasts with minimal visible fat for even cooking.

• Garlic Cloves, Shallot: Choose firm, fresh bulbs without sprouting or soft spots for robust flavor.

• Bay Leaf: Pick whole, intact leaves with deep green color and strong fragrant aroma.
• Fresh Thyme: Select vibrant green sprigs with no wilting or brown edges.
• Salt: Use fine sea salt or kosher salt for balanced seasoning.
• Water: Opt for filtered water to ensure clean, pure liquid base for poaching.

Tools to Poach Chicken Perfectly

• Large pot: Spacious cookware perfect for gently poaching chicken with enough room for water and ingredients.
• Cutting board: Sturdy surface for slicing cooked chicken into neat, even pieces.
• Meat thermometer: Precise tool to check internal chicken temperature and ensure safe cooking.
• Sharp knife: Essential for slicing chicken against the grain after poaching.
• Measuring cup: Helpful for accurately adding water to cover chicken completely.
• Tongs: Convenient for safely removing chicken from hot poaching liquid.

Poached Chicken Cooking Steps

Create Flavor-Packed Poached Chicken

Infuse your kitchen with aromatic herbs and gentle cooking techniques that transform simple chicken into a tender, juicy masterpiece. This method ensures perfect texture and incredible taste without drying out the meat.

• Craft the Poaching Base

Combine aromatic herbs and chicken in a spacious pot. Pour cool water until the meat is completely submerged, creating a flavorful bath that will gently cook the protein.

• Warm with Precision

Position the pot on medium heat, allowing ingredients to mingle and release their essence. Watch for delicate bubbles forming around the pot’s edges, signaling the start of a slow, gentle cooking process.

• Embrace Low and Slow Technique

Once soft bubbles emerge, reduce heat to a whisper-quiet simmer. This gentle approach prevents toughening the meat, ensuring each bite remains succulent and perfectly cooked.

• Confirm Chicken Perfection

Verify doneness by checking internal temperature or cutting into the thickest section. Clear juices and a temperature of 165°F guarantee safe, delectable chicken that’s ready to delight.

• Serve with Flair

Transfer chicken to a cutting surface. Slice against the grain for maximum tenderness. Plate immediately and pair with your favorite accompaniments for a restaurant-quality meal that’s surprisingly simple to create.

Variations for Poached Chicken Flavor

• Elevate Poaching Technique: Use a shallow pan for more controlled cooking, ensuring even heat distribution and preventing overcooking of delicate chicken meat.
• Flavor Boosting Hack: Enhance poaching liquid by adding white wine, lemon slices, or aromatic herbs like rosemary and parsley to infuse extra depth and complexity into the chicken.
• Meal Prep Magic: Poached chicken stays fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, making it perfect for quick salads, sandwiches, and meal prepping throughout the week.
• Texture-Saving Strategy: Cover the pot with a lid during poaching to trap moisture, preventing the chicken from drying out and maintaining its tender, juicy texture.

How to Serve Poached Chicken Nicely

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Slice the poached chicken and arrange over crisp mixed greens, adding cherry tomatoes and light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Create Protein-Packed Sandwich: Layer thinly sliced chicken on whole grain bread with fresh herbs, lettuce, and light mayo for a delicious lunch option.
• Refresh with Herb Sauce: Drizzle poached chicken with a zesty herb sauce made from parsley, lemon juice, and olive oil to enhance the delicate flavor profile.
• Make Meal Prep Friendly: Store sliced chicken in airtight containers for quick protein additions to salads, grain bowls, or wraps throughout the week.

How to Store Poached Chicken Breasts

• Preserve Poached Perfection: Smart Storage Solutions
• Store freshly poached chicken in airtight containers, keeping moisture and flavor locked inside. Refrigerate within two hours of cooking to maintain food safety and quality.
• Chill and Seal: Proper Refrigeration Technique
• Cool chicken completely before storing. Place sliced or whole chicken pieces in sealed containers, which prevent moisture loss and protect against potential bacterial growth. Consume refrigerated chicken within 3-4 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze for Future Meals: Extended Preservation
• Wrap individual chicken portions in plastic wrap, then place inside freezer-safe bags. Frozen poached chicken stays delicious for up to three months. Label containers with date and contents to track freshness easily.
• Reheat with Care: Maintaining Moisture
• Gently warm refrigerated or thawed chicken using low heat methods. Splash a tablespoon of broth or water while reheating to prevent dryness. Microwave in short intervals or use a steamer for best results, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving.

Succulent Ina Garten Poached Chicken Breast Recipe

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4.7 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Ina Garten’s poached chicken breast offers a delicate, flavorful method for preparing tender white meat. Gentle poaching in aromatic broth ensures juicy results you can enjoy in countless recipes.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1.5 lb (680 g) chicken breast, skinless, boneless
• 3 garlic cloves, lightly smashed
• 1 shallot, peeled and cut into four pieces
• 2–3 thyme sprigs, fresh
• 1 bay leaf
• 1.5 tsp (7.5 ml) sea salt
• Water or chicken/vegetable broth, enough to cover chicken

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Position a spacious pot and combine chicken breast with minced garlic, chopped shallots, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and salt, ensuring complete ingredient submersion under 1-2 inches of water.
2. Initial Heating: Place pot on medium heat, gently warming liquid until delicate bubbles emerge around pot edges, signaling approaching simmer stage.
3. Temperature Management: Reduce heat to low, establishing a controlled poaching environment that ensures uniform, tender chicken cooking without aggressive boiling.
4. Cooking Process: Maintain gentle simmer for 10-15 minutes, allowing proteins to cook slowly while preserving moisture and developing rich, subtle flavors.
5. Doneness Verification: Check chicken’s internal temperature using meat thermometer, confirming precise 165°F (74°C) reading at the meat’s thickest section.
6. Final Inspection: Perform visual assessment by cutting chicken’s center, ensuring completely clear juices without any pink discoloration.
7. Resting and Serving: Remove chicken from liquid, transfer to cutting board, and let rest 2-3 minutes to redistribute internal juices, then slice against grain into elegant, uniform pieces ready for serving.

Notes

• Prevent Overcooking: Watch liquid temperature closely to maintain a gentle simmer, avoiding rapid boiling that toughens chicken proteins and reduces moisture.
• Select High-Quality Ingredients: Choose fresh, organic chicken breasts and aromatic herbs to enhance overall flavor profile and ensure tender, delicious results.
• Temperature Precision Matters: Use an instant-read meat thermometer for accurate doneness, aiming exactly at 165°F to guarantee food safety without drying out the meat.
• Rest and Redistribute Juices: Always let poached chicken rest 2-3 minutes after cooking, allowing internal juices to settle and ensuring maximum tenderness and succulence.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Poaching
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 0 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 5 g
• Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 3.5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 42 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg