How to Par Boil Chicken Before Grilling or Baking (For Whole Chicken, Thighs, Wings and Breast)

Parboiling chicken is a great way to ensure tender results and fully cooked chicken. It can be especially useful if you’re feeding a crowd. In this post, we’re sharing some guidelines on how to parboil chicken.

Parboiling is the perfect solution for preventing your chicken from being raw in the middle while it’s overcooked on the outside.

What is Parboiling?

Parboiling is a process where food is partially cooked. Vegetables are often blanched, which is a form of parboiling to retain their texture and color. Meats such as chicken and turkey can also be parboiled.

Should Chicken Be Parboiled Before Baking or Grilling?

Parboiling chicken is a great option to consider. Here are some of the benefits of parboiling chicken:

• Avoid chicken that’s dried out: Parboiling helps to retain the juices in the chicken, so it’s moist and flavorful when fully cooked.
• Create crispier skin: The skin on drumsticks, thighs, and wings will be nice and crispy.
• More flavorful: Because the chicken is partially cooked, it won’t take as long on the grill or in the oven. This helps to keep it moist and flavorful.

Pro Tips: Add seasonings and chopped veggies to the liquid you’re using to parboil the chicken. It will enhance the flavor of the meat.

How to Parboil Chicken

• Add the chicken to a large, heavy-bottomed pot or stockpot. You can use chicken pieces or whole chicken.
• Cover the chicken with water or chicken stock and add a good pinch of kosher salt, 3 bay leaves, and a couple of teaspoons of peppercorns as desired, to the pot.
• Set the temperature to medium-high and heat until the water comes to a boil.
• Reduce to a simmer and then remove the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Cook as desired.

How Long to Parboil Chicken

The length of time to parboil depends on the size and cuts of the chicken. Here is a guideline:

• Whole Chicken: Parboil a whole chicken for about 30-40 minutes.
• Chicken Breasts: Parboil chicken breasts for about 10-15 minutes.
• Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: Parboil drumsticks or thighs for about 5-8 minutes.
• Chicken Wings: Parboil wings for about 15-20 minutes.

Ways to Use Parboiled Chicken

• Finish parboiled chicken on the grill or in the oven. It won’t need as much time to cook, and it will be tender and juicy with crispy skin.
• Add parboiled chicken to casseroles or soups. The cooking time of the dish can be reduced.
• Use parboiled chicken in tacos, fajitas, or quesadillas. Finish cooking the chicken with veggies or in sauces.
• Deep fry parboiled chicken for crispier skin and even cooking.

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Parboiling Chicken Step-by-Step Instruction

Ingredients

• 3 lbs raw chicken
• Water
• Pinch of salt
• 3 bay leaves
• 2 teaspoon peppercorns optional

Instructions

• Add the chicken to a large pot. You can use chicken pieces or a whole chicken.
• Cover the chicken with water and add a good pinch of kosher salt, 3 bay leaves, and optional peppercorns as desired, to the pot.
• Set the temperature to medium-high and heat until the water comes to a boil.
• Reduce to a simmer and then remove the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. Cook for 30-40 minutes for whole chicken, and 10-15 minutes for chicken breasts