Chicken carries harmful bacteria, like salmonella. It only takes a tiny amount of germs to make you sick, so don’t risk it. If you’d like to debone your chicken breasts, run a boning knife as close to the bone as you can without removing too much of the chicken breast flesh. The bone only usually covers about half of the chicken breast. [2] X Research source

If you’re shredding the chicken, you might not want to chop them too small, as this could make shredding take longer. However, it might be helpful to make your pieces very small if you’re adding them to a salad or wrap. Use a cutting board that’s dedicated to chopping meat to limit the risk of contaminating other foods. Bacteria like salmonella can get stuck onto your chopping board, even if you wash it. If you then chop veggies on the board, they might get contaminated with salmonella. Whole pieces of chicken take up to 30 minutes to cook, while small pieces may cook as quickly as 10 minutes.

If you have to layer the chicken to make it all fit, then it’s best to switch to a bigger pot. Otherwise, your chicken may not cook as well.

If the water boils off, you can add more water, as necessary. Keep in mind that splashing can distribute bacteria like salmonella. You can use either chicken or vegetable broth.

After you cook the chicken, you can save the water or broth for use in another recipe, if you like. For instance, it might make a good soup stock. If any veggies are sticking out of the water, add more water so that the veggies and chicken are totally covered. Sprinkle in some spices like chili powder, cumin, and garlic. Dried herbs are also great, along with spice blends from different manufacturers.

When you lift the lid, use a towel or pot holder so you don’t burn your hand. Additionally, don’t hold your face over the pot, as the steam could burn you.

Don’t let your water or broth boil too long, as this can evaporate too much of your liquid. Stay with the pot so you can turn it down as soon as it starts boiling.

Don’t leave the pot unattended, even while it’s at a simmer. You don’t want it to accidentally start boiling again or for the water to evaporate.

If you don’t have a meat thermometer, cut the chicken in half to see if it’s pink inside. While this is not as accurate as a meat thermometer, it will help you determine if your chicken is likely done. Large pieces of chicken will likely not be ready at this point. However, smaller chunks or chicken quarters may be cooked. Overcooking your chicken will make it rubbery and unpleasant to chew, so it’s best to check if it’s ready, even if you suspect it isn’t.

Chicken breasts with skin and bones should cook for about 30 minutes. Skinless, boneless chicken breasts should cook for 20-25 minutes. If they are cut in half, then they’ll likely take 15-20 minutes. Skinless, boneless chicken breasts that have been cut into 2-inch pieces should cook for about 10 minutes. When the chicken is thoroughly cooked, the inside will no longer be pink.

Be careful when handling the hot pot, as you might burn yourself.

If you’re planning to save the liquid for a future recipe, drain it into a clean bowl. From there, you can refrigerate or freeze it. If you used veggies to season your water, discard them into your compost or trash. As an alternative, you can use a fork, slotted spoon, or tongs to remove the chicken.

If you prefer, you can transfer the chicken back into the empty pot. For instance, you might prefer to shred the chicken in the pot if you plan to add a sauce to it. That way, you can warm the sauce in the same pan you used to cook the chicken.

If you’re planning to add a sauce to the chicken, it’s okay to do so now as long as you don’t touch the chicken. However, don’t heat up the sauce until the chicken has cooled for 10 minutes. This will help you prevent the chicken from becoming rubbery from overcooking.

If you like, you can season your chicken with more spices or a sauce. For instance, you might coat it in barbeque sauce or mix it into a mango salsa. You can add boiled chicken to salads, stir-fries, or fajitas.

You can also use a knife to help break up the chicken, if you prefer.