Are you looking for a way to get dinner on the table fast? Like how long to boil chicken thighs for soup? Because nothing is better than having a hot bowl of soup in front of you ready to be enjoyed. This simple, tasty and satisfying meal can come together quickly and easily with just one key ingredient – chicken!
In today’s blog post, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at how long to boil chicken thighs for your next soup recipe, so no matter if you’re a professional chef or just cooking up something delicious in your own kitchen, this article is sure to give you all the details of how long to boil chicken thighs for soup you need when it comes time to enjoy some warm and comforting soup.
What Kinds of Chicken Thighs Should I Use to Cook Soup?
When it comes to how long to boil chicken thighs for soup, the type of chicken you use is going to be very important.
Depending on how much flavor and texture you’re looking for in your dish, you might want to opt for skinless boneless thigh meat or bone-in thighs with the skin still attached. Skinless thighs will cook faster, but the skin adds flavor and texture to your soup so it’s really up to how you’d like it to turn out.

How Long Should I Boil Chicken Thighs for Soup?
When it comes to how long to boil chicken thighs for soup, the length of time is going to depend on how thick and how large your pieces of meat are.
- Generally speaking, it’s best to boil chicken thighs for at least 10 minutes and up to 30 minutes.
- If you’re using bone-in pieces with the skin still attached, you may need to allow them to cook a bit longer – up to 45 minutes in some cases.
It’s also important to note that how long to boil chicken thighs for soup can vary depending on how high the boil is. If you’re boiling at a higher temperature, your chicken may be done in less time than if you had it boiling at a lower temperature.
#1 Regular chicken thighs
For regular chicken thighs, the cooking time can range from 10 to 30 minutes. To determine how long you should boil yours for, check by piercing the thickest parts of your pieces with a fork.

#2 Bone-in chicken thighs
For bone-in chicken thighs, the cooking time will typically be a bit longer – usually between 25 and 45 minutes. Again, check how they’re doing with a fork to ensure they are cooked all the way through.
#3 Boneless chicken thighs
Boneless chicken thighs cook the quickest out of all three variations, so you can expect how long to boil chicken thighs for soup to be done within 10 to 20 minutes depending on how large your pieces are.
Again, check how they’re doing with a fork and make sure the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before taking them off the heat.
#4 Frozen chicken thighs
If you’re using frozen chicken thighs for your soup, the cooking time will likely be a bit longer than if you were working with fresh.
You should plan to boil them for at least 20 minutes and up to 45 minutes depending on how big the pieces are.

Should I Boil Chicken Thighs Before or After Cooking Soup?
It’s generally best to boil chicken thighs before adding them to your soup. This will help ensure that the meat is cooked through and tender, as well as making sure it doesn’t overcook in the soup and become tough or rubbery.
If you’re cooking a slow-simmered soup that requires several hours of how long to boil chicken thighs for soup, you can certainly add the raw chicken to the soup and let it cook through with everything else. However, if time is of the essence, boiling your chicken thighs first will make sure they’re cooked properly without taking up too much time in the cooking process.
How to Check The Doneness of Chicken Thighs for Soup?

When it comes to how long to boil chicken thighs for soup, the best way to check that they’re done is by using a thermometer. To be sure your chicken is cooked through, make sure the internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit before taking it off the heat.
You can also pierce the thickest parts of the thigh with a fork to make sure there’s no pink in the center. If you’re working with bone-in pieces, be sure to check near the bone as well – this is where it can take longer for the chicken to cook through.
Ways to Keep Chicken Thighs Chewy for Soup?
If you want to make sure your chicken thighs stay juicy and chewy for soup, there are a few things you can do:
- First, don’t forget to season! This will help give your meat more flavor and ensure it doesn’t come out bland.
- Second, reduce the boiling time if possible. The longer you boil chicken thighs for soup, the drier and more rubbery they will become.
- Finally, don’t forget to add some type of fat or oil when you’re making your soup. This will help keep the chicken from drying out while it cooks.
Pro Tips for Boiling Chicken Thighs for Soup
Now, this is the final part of how long to boil chicken thighs for soup. Check out some ultimate tips and tricks to elevate your chicken soup “for soul”
- To ensure your safety, make sure to always sanitize all tools used for cutting or cleaning raw chicken. For the best outcome, it is recommended that you cut the chicken into pieces of similar sizes so they can cook evenly.
- Also, be sure to completely submerge the chicken in water as this will help maintain an even cooking temperature. If working with hard-cut chickens, remember that boiling time may need adjustment – just refer to the recipes provided!
- Additionally, when placing poultry inside a pot or pan it’s essential they are arranged in one single layer; not only does this improve overall flavor but also allows each piece equal access to heat and seasonings without clumping together during the cooking process.
- And don’t forget there’s no waste here either – use any remaining liquid from boiled chickens afterward by adding them directly onto rice dishes or other flavorful meals!
- After the allotted cooking time, check on your chicken every three minutes to ensure it is cooked through.
- To ensure food safety and prevent any potential foodborne illnesses, use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the chicken – it should read at least 165F/75C.
- Once finished cooking, leave in its broth for an additional five minutes which will boost flavor immensely. This is one of the best tips of how long to boil chicken thighs for soup.
- While prepping water always season with salt; you should be able to taste saltiness when tasting prior to adding ingredients. Cooking correctly ensures delicious results!
- Enhancing the flavor of your chicken is as easy as adding in a few pieces of carrots and bay leaves.
- Put a lid on the pot to maintain that delicious aroma, while also allowing for quick and even cooking.
- Afterward, use a skimmer spoon to remove any fat from the broth before you can do anything else with it.
- To make gravy or save some of it for other recipes later, just add cornstarch slurry into the mixture!
- Lastly, don’t forget to let everything rest and cool off for 10 minutes if you plan on shredding up your cooked chicken afterward – this will give it time to settle so all that yummy goodness isn’t lost when cutting through those tender morsels!
FAQs
Should I boil chicken fast or slow?
When preparing chicken thighs for boiling, the slower you cook them – the tastier they become. In fact, that is true for any type of protein; slow and steady cooking creates a more succulent final product!
Is it OK to eat chicken thighs that are pink inside?
No, it is not safe to eat chicken that is pink inside. Make sure the internal temperature of the cooked chicken thighs reaches 165F/75C before serving.
How to avoid soggy chicken thighs?
To avoid soggy chicken thighs, be sure to reduce the boiling time as much as possible. Additionally, adding some type of fat or oil when making your soup will help keep the chicken from drying out while it cooks. Finally, use a skimmer spoon to remove any excess fat from the broth before you can do anything else with it. This will help ensure a crispier, tastier end result!
Conclusion
Boiling chicken thighs for soup is a great way to add flavor and texture to your dish. To achieve the best results of how long to boil chicken thighs for soup, make sure to cut the chicken into small pieces for even cooking, season the broth with salt, use a meat thermometer to ensure it reaches an internal temperature of 165F/75C, and always remove any excess fat from the broth. With these tips boiling chicken thighs for soup from us – dixieshomecookin.org will be a breeze!