Go Back
–+ servings
Boiled chicken drumsticks on a plate topped with chilli oil, sesame seeds and chopped basil on a yellow background with a small bowl of salt, a jar of spices and the saucepan in partial view below.
Print Recipe
5 from 7 votes

How To Boil Chicken Legs

Know how long to boil chicken legs for fall-off-the-bone tender drumsticks perfect for any weeknight meal.
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: mains
Cuisine: British
Servings: 4
Calories: 301kcal
Author: Mimi Harrison
Cost: £1.08

Ingredients

  • 1 kg chicken legs / drumsticks (£3.00)
  • 2 tbsp Hainanese paste OR 100g ginger (£2.50/4)=(£0.63)
  • 4 cloves of garlic, smashed (£0.39)
  • 2-3 onions, sliced in half (£0.30)

Cupboard Essentials

  • 1 chicken stock cube
  • 1 tsp salt
Metric - US Standard

Instructions

  • To a large saucepan, add around 2 liters of just boiled water. Add the Hainanese paste or ginger, garlic cloves, onions and chicken stock cube. Season the water with salt and pepper. Stir to combine and bring to a low simmer.
  • Place the chicken legs/drumsticks into the saucepan and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken leg is 165°C/ 75°C.
  • Carefully remove the chicken legs with tongs and place on a plate. Top with garnishes of your choice, I love to use crispy chilli oil, sesame seeds and chopped Thai basil. Add a crack of black pepper and enjoy!

Notes

  • Make sure the pot you use is large enough for the ingredients to be covered with water and fill the water above the chicken by at least 1 inch.
  • Check doneness with a meat thermometer.
  • Be sure to use the stock created by boiling the meat, it is delicious.
  • Don’t scrimp on the salt.  It is what creates the flavour in the chicken and the stock.
  • Move the chicken drumsticks around while they are cooking by stirring them and pushing them under the water.
  • Let the drumsticks rest when finished cooking so they retain their juiciness.

Nutrition

Calories: 301kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.1g | Cholesterol: 154mg | Sodium: 1008mg | Potassium: 469mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 78IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg