How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs are easy to boil! You just need water, a pot, tongs, the chicken thighs, and a timer. The trick is knowing how long to boil chicken thighs–boiling them for too long can make them tough and dry, while boiling them for less than the recommended time can make them unsafe to eat. So, how long do chicken thighs take to boil? This guide will help!

How to Boil Chicken Thighs

There are approximately four simple steps to boiling chicken thighs:

1. First, fill a large pot halfway with water. This should be enough to completely cover the thighs. Place it on the stove over medium-high heat.
2. Then, once the water has come to a rolling boil, use tongs to carefully add the chicken thighs to the water one at a time.
3. Next, you’ll monitor the water and stir periodically while the chicken thighs boil for the appropriate amount of time.
4. Finally, remove the chicken thighs or drain the water. Pat the cooked chicken dry or drain it on a paper towel before serving.

If you’re wondering, how long does it take to boil chicken thighs? All the answers you’ll need can be found in this helpful guide to boiling chicken thighs. As always, double-check the doneness of your chicken using a reliable meat thermometer to make sure the chicken is safe to eat and won’t make you (or any of your dinner guests) sick.

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs by Type

How Long to Boil Boneless Chicken Thighs

Boneless chicken thighs can be sold skinless (with the skin removed) or skin-on (with the skin intact but feathers removed). Boneless chicken thighs take approximately the same amount of time to cook whether they are skinless or skin-on. If you need to know how long to boil boneless, skinless chicken thighs, it’s the same as skin-on chicken thighs! So, how long does it take to boil boneless chicken thighs? Around 12-15 minutes.

How Long to Boil Bone-in Chicken Thighs

Bone-in chicken thighs need a little more time to boil because of the included bone. Boil bone-in chicken thighs for 15-20 minutes, depending on the thickness of the thigh.

Table: How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs by Type

Type of Chicken Thigh	How Long to Boil (in minutes)
Boneless	12-15 minutes
Bone-in	15-20 minutes

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs by Method

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs on the Stove

Chicken thighs should be boiled for 12-20 minutes, depending on the size and whether or not they have bones.

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs Before Baking

You don’t have to boil chicken thighs before you bake them, but you can parboil them for 5-10 minutes if you wish.

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs Before Grilling

The same goes for grilling–it’s not necessary to boil the chicken thighs ahead of time, but you can boil them for 5-10 minutes if you want to make them extra tender.

Table: How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs by Method

Method of Cooking	How Long to Boil (in minutes)
Stovetop	12-20 minutes
Before Baking	5-10 minutes
Before Grilling	5-10 minutes

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs by Dish

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs for Soup

You can fully boil the chicken thighs before adding them to the soup, or you can choose to boil them in the soup. Either way, you’ll want to boil them for 12-20 minutes.

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs for Frying

You can parboil chicken thighs before frying them for 5-10 minutes.

Table: How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs by Dish

Dish	How Long to Boil (in minutes)
Chicken Soup	12-20 minutes
Fried Chicken	5-10 minutes