Best Poached Chicken

4.0
(5)
5 Reviews

This simple poached chicken recipe has crazy-good flavor. The secret? Using bone-in breasts and adding white wine and herbs to the poaching liquid. Be sure that the liquid stays at a bare simmer or your meat will be tough. Strain the leftover poaching liquid and use it as you would low-sodium chicken broth in any recipe for an extra boost of flavor. Serve the poached chicken over a salad or use it to make chicken salad.

By
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on April 22, 2024
Tested by
EatingWell Test Kitchen
Eating Well Bio Page
Tested by EatingWell Test Kitchen

The EatingWell Test Kitchen is comprised of a group of culinary professionals who develop and test our recipes. Our recipes go through a rigorous process, which includes testing by trained recipe testers, using different equipment (e.g., gas and electric stoves) and a variety of tools and techniques to make sure that it will really work when you make it at home. Testers shop major supermarkets to research availability of ingredients. Finally, a Registered Dietitian reviews each recipe to ensure that we deliver food that's not only delicious, but adheres to our nutrition guidelines as well. Learn more about our food philosophy and nutrition parameters.

Meet the EatingWell Test Kitchen
Reviewed by Dietitian
Sylvia Geiger, M.S., RD
Reviewed by Dietitian Sylvia Geiger, M.S., RD

As EatingWell’s former dietitian and nutrition advisor, Sylvia Geiger worked closely with the culinary and editorial team to ensure that our recipes are not only delicious, but also meet the nutrition parameters we have set for ourselves.

EatingWell's Editorial Guidelines
3759340.jpg
Cook Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
35 mins
Total Time:
50 mins
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings
Nutrition Profile:
Low-Carb Diabetes-Friendly Nut-Free Dairy-Free Low-Sodium Low-Fat Soy-Free Heart-Healthy Egg-Free Gluten-Free Low-Calorie
Jump to Nutrition Facts
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Ingredients

  • 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 cup dry white wine

  • 1 large shallot, halved

  • 3 sprigs fresh thyme

  • 1 bay leaf

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ¼ teaspoon whole black peppercorns

  • 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves (about 1 pound each)

Directions

  1. Combine broth, wine, shallot, thyme, bay leaf, salt and peppercorns in a large saucepan. Add chicken, meaty-side down. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce heat to maintain a bare simmer; cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the meat registers 165 degrees F, 25 to 30 minutes.

  2. Transfer the chicken to a clean cutting board. When cool enough to handle, shred or chop the meat as desired (discard skin and bones).

Tips

Make Ahead Tip: Refrigerate chicken for up to 5 days. Refrigerate poaching liquid separately for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.

Originally appeared: EatingWell Magazine, May/June 2016

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

81 Calories
2g Fat
1g Carbs
14g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3/4 cup
Calories 81
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 1g 0%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 14g 28%
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 37mg 12%
Vitamin A 17IU 0%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 2mcg 1%
Sodium 56mg 2%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 14mg 3%
Potassium 136mg 3%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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