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.

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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. 

Benefits Of Parboiling Chicken

Parboiling chicken has many benefits, including reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses, tenderizing the meat, and saving cooking time. It helps the chicken to retain moisture, so it’ll be nice and juicy when it’s fully cooked. An unexpected benefit of parboiling is that it results in crispier skin for fried, grilled or baked chicken.

Equipment Needed For Parboiling Chicken

To parboil chicken, you will need a large pot with a lid, a pair of tongs, and a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.

Preparing Chicken For Parboiling

Before parboiling, trim any excess skin and fat, and rinse the chicken thoroughly under cold running water. Pat dry with a paper towel.

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.

Tips For Perfectly Parboiled Chicken

• Bring the water to a boil before adding the chicken.
• Use a pot large enough to accommodate the chicken without overcrowding.
• Boil the chicken for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size and cut of the chicken.
• Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. The safe minimum internal temperature for chicken is 165°F (74°C).
• Once the chicken is parboiled, remove it from the pot using tongs and place it on a plate or cutting board to cool.

How To Season Parboiled Chicken

Parboiled chicken can be seasoned with your favorite spices and seasonings, such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken before cooking it further. 

You can also add fresh or dried herbs to the water to infuse the chicken with even more flavor.

Temperature For Par-Boiled Chicken

The safe minimum internal temperature for parboiled chicken is 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check the temperature in the thickest part of the chicken, such as the breast or thigh.

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.

How To Check If Chicken Is Fully Cooked

To check if the chicken is fully cooked, insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken. The internal temperature should be 165°F (74°C). Alternatively, cut into the thickest part of the chicken, and the juices should run clear, not pink.

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.

Storage And Reheating Of Parboiled Chicken

Parboiled chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days or frozen for up to three months. To reheat, place the chicken in a microwave-safe dish and heat it on high for 1-2 minutes or until hot.

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. 

Recipe Ideas Using Parboiled Chicken

Parboiled chicken can be used in a variety of recipes, such as chicken soup, stir-fry, salads, sandwiches, and casseroles. It can also be grilled, baked, fried, or roasted to finish cooking.

FAQs about Parboiling Chicken

Can you parboil chicken ahead of time?

Yes, you can parboil chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 2 days before using it in a recipe. This can be a time-saving strategy for meal prep or cooking in bulk. 

To parboil chicken ahead of time, simply follow the same steps and let the chicken cool to room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container and refrigerating it.

What is the difference between parboiling and boiling chicken?

The main difference between parboiling and boiling chicken is the duration and intensity of heat. Parboiling involves boiling the chicken for a short time until the outer layer turns white or opaque but the inner part remains slightly pink or raw.

Boiling involves cooking the chicken in boiling water until it is fully cooked. Parboiling is a convenient pre-cooking step that reduces the overall cooking time and adds flavor and moisture to the chicken.

How do you know when chicken is parboiled?

You can tell when chicken is parboiled by looking at the color and texture of the meat. The outer layer of the chicken should turn white or opaque while the inner part remains slightly pink or raw. 

You can also use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken, which should read 165°F for safe consumption. Avoid overcooking the chicken as it can become tough and dry.

Should you season chicken before or after parboiling?

You can season chicken before or after parboiling depending on your preference and the recipe you’re making. Seasoning before parboiling infuses flavor into the meat, while seasoning after parboiling helps to enhance the taste and texture of the chicken.

If you decide to season the chicken before parboiling, use a combination of herbs, spices, salt, and pepper to taste.

Can you use parboiled chicken in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can use parboiled chicken in a slow cooker or Crockpot, but be sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly. Since the chicken has been partially cooked, it will require less time to cook than raw chicken. 

For example, if a recipe calls for cooking raw chicken in the slow cooker for 6-8 hours on low heat, you can reduce the cooking time to 3-4 hours on low heat if using parboiled chicken.

Can you freeze parboiled chicken?

Yes, you can freeze parboiled chicken for up to 3 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Freezing can help to preserve the quality and freshness of the chicken, but be sure to label and date the container for easy identification. 

Frozen parboiled chicken should be thawed in the refrigerator or microwave before using it in a recipe.

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