1. Choosing Delicious, Firm, and Aromatic Chicken

To achieve a delicious boiled chicken, selecting the right chicken is crucial. Typically, it’s best to choose a free-range chicken weighing between 1.5 kg and 2 kg. If you choose a chicken that’s too large, it may crack during boiling. If you don’t have time to prepare a live chicken, you can purchase a pre-prepared one, paying attention to the following points:

• A good chicken will have a compact, firm body and a small breast.
• The skin of a free-range chicken is golden yellow, with darker yellow areas like the wings, breast, and back. The skin should not be bruised, purplish, or have black spots, dark spots, or bumps.
• If the skin is tough and uniformly golden yellow, and the fat is white, it indicates the chicken has been treated with yellow dye.
• The chicken meat should be firm, fresh, and free from foul odors, spoiled smells, or the smell of antibiotics.
• Press your finger against the body, breast, or thigh of the chicken to check its firmness. If the meat is firm, it’s a good chicken. If the meat is soft, slippery, deformed, or has indentations indicating water retention, it suggests the chicken has been injected with water, sometimes even mixed with borax. Avoid buying this type of chicken to prevent health risks.

2. Choosing the Right Pot for Boiling Chicken

Choosing the right pot is crucial. You should select a pot with a height and width comparable to the chicken. Typically, for chickens weighing 1.5 – 2 kg, a pot with a [diameter measurement missing] is suitable.

Boiling chicken in a pot that’s too large will cause the chicken to shrink and look less appealing. Conversely, boiling it in a pot that’s too small will result in uneven cooking.

3. How to Boil Chicken

Before boiling, secure the chicken’s head to its body using a toothpick. Place the chicken in the pot and add cold water until it’s submerged, then boil over high heat.

Once the water boils, reduce the heat and continue boiling for about 10 minutes. Important: Do not cover the pot during this stage.

After about 10 minutes, turn off the heat and cover the pot for another 20 minutes to allow the chicken to cook thoroughly.

Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the chicken. If the chicken is very large, boil it for an additional 5-20 minutes. For smaller chickens, reduce the time by 5 minutes.

During the boiling process, you can add a few slices of ginger or a few spring onion tops to enhance the flavor and aroma of the chicken.

4. How to Boil Chicken in a Rice Cooker

Alternatively, using a rice cooker can also help you boil chicken quickly and conveniently. Prepare the following ingredients: ginger, the bulb part of spring onions, and a little salt.

Add cold water to the rice cooker, about 6-8 cm deep. This is sufficient; the chicken doesn’t need to be fully submerged.

Plug in the rice cooker and press the “Cook” button. Once the water starts to simmer, add the ginger, spring onions, and salt.

When the water boils, add the chicken and continue cooking for about 10 minutes. Then switch to the “Warm” setting and let it sit for about 20 minutes.

At this point, pierce the thickest part of the chicken with a chopstick. If no pink juices come out, the chicken is cooked.

Remove the chicken and immerse it in a pot of cold water. Then, brush it with chicken fat mixed with turmeric powder (as described above) to achieve a beautiful golden skin.

5. How to Keep the Chicken Firm, Delicious, and Visually Appealing

After the boiling time is complete, remove the chicken and place it in a large bowl of water with ice cubes. Once the chicken has cooled completely, remove it and let it drain.

This method will help the chicken meat become firmer and more tender, while also making the color more vibrant and appealing.

Finally, crush a piece of turmeric root, mix it with a little chicken broth, and brush it evenly over the chicken skin to achieve a beautiful golden sheen.

We hope these tips will help you prepare the most delicious and aromatic boiled chicken for your family. If you have any other tips for boiling chicken, please share them with Dien May XANH in the comments section below!