Modern Boiled Chicken

Ingredients

• 4 pounds Whole Chicken (About 4 pounds, cleaned and trussed)
• 8 cups Water (Enough to half surround the chicken)
• 1 teaspoon Salt (Or to taste)
• 1 medium Onion (Optional, for flavor)
• 2 Celery stalks (Optional, for flavor)
• 1 medium Carrot (Optional, for flavor)
• 1 Bay leaf (Optional, for flavor)

Instructions

1. 1Rinse the chicken inside and out. Remove any giblets. Truss the chicken by tying the legs together with kitchen twine. This helps it cook evenly.
2. 2Place the trussed chicken on a trivet in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the onion, celery stalks, carrot, and bay leaf (if using). Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the chicken.
3. 3Bring the water to a gentle simmer. Cover the pot tightly and reduce the heat to low. Cook slowly for 1 1/2 hours, or until the chicken is very tender and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Turn the chicken occasionally during cooking to ensure even cooking.
4. 4During the last 30 minutes of cooking, add salt to the pot. This seasons the chicken and broth.
5. 5Remove the chicken from the pot and let it rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve hot with your choice of Egg, Oyster, or Celery Sauce (recipes not included). The broth can be reserved for soup or other uses.