Quick Answer
Yes, the liquid left over from poaching chicken, often called poaching liquid or poaching broth, can absolutely be used. The poaching liquid contains flavor from the chicken as well as some nutrients, so it would be wasteful to simply throw it out. There are many great ways to use up poaching liquid, like making soup or gravy, cooking rice or veggies in it, using it to cook grains like quinoa, adding it to sauces or stews for extra flavor, reducing it down to make a rich concentrate, or even freezing it for later use. With a little creativity, that poaching liquid can become a tasty addition to many dishes.
What is Poaching Liquid?
Poaching liquid is the broth left over after poaching meat or poultry in simmering liquid. When you poach chicken breast, thighs, or a whole chicken, you typically use water, chicken broth, wine, or a combination as the poaching liquid. As the chicken gently simmers in the liquid, its flavors infuse into the liquid to create a light chicken broth.
Some key facts about poaching liquid:
- It contains water, flavor compounds from the chicken, and some nutrients extracted from the meat.
- The resulting broth is light in color and delicate in flavor compared to roasted chicken broth.
- You can control the flavor by choosing different poaching liquids like wine, citrus juice, herbs, broth, etc.
- The amount of liquid depends on the poaching method – shallow poaching uses less liquid than fully submerging.
- The broth is thin rather than viscous or gelatinous since collagen doesn’t break down as much as it does in long simmering.
While poaching liquid is not as rich as homemade stock, it still carries plenty of chicken essence and makes a flavorful liquid for cooking.
Nutrition in Poaching Liquid
When chicken is poached, some nutrients from the meat leach into the surrounding poaching liquid:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2-5 grams per cup |
| B Vitamins | Small amounts of B vitamins like niacin, B6, and pantothenic acid |
| Minerals | Trace amounts of calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, and zinc |
The exact nutrition will vary based on the size and type of chicken, amount of liquid used, and poaching time. While poaching liquid is low in total nutrients compared to the chicken itself, it can still add food value to recipes and reduce waste.
Tips for Using Poaching Liquid
Here are some tips for saving and using leftover poaching liquid:
- Let cool completely, then refrigerate or freeze.
- Skim off excess fat after chilling to reduce the fat content if desired.
- Use within 3-4 days for best flavor if refrigerating.
- Portion into ice cube trays or muffin tins before freezing for easy use.
- Label the container with the type of poaching liquid and date before freezing.
- Freeze for up to 3 months.
- Defrost in the refrigerator before using frozen poaching liquid.
- Simmer to reduce and concentrate flavors as desired.
- Whisk in butter or cream to make a quick pan sauce.
- Blend with fresh herbs and olive oil for a unique salad dressing base.
Proper storage and creative uses will help you get the most out of leftover poaching liquid.
Uses for Poaching Liquid
There are many possible uses for poaching liquid. Here are some of the most popular and tasty ways to use that flavorful chicken broth:
Soups
Poaching liquid provides an easy base for quick chicken soups and stews. Simply add veggies, noodles, rice or other mix-ins. Or cool and use as the liquid when making chicken soup from scratch.
Rice
Cook rice, quinoa or other grains in poaching liquid instead of water for extra flavor. The ratio is generally 1:2 liquid to grains.
Sauces
Simmer poaching liquid down to concentrate flavors and use as the base of a sauce or gravy. Whisk in cream and seasonings for an easy pan sauce.
Veggies
Saute or boil vegetables like broccoli, green beans, carrots or asparagus in poaching liquid instead of plain water.
Chicken Dishes
Moisten cooked chicken with poaching liquid when making casseroles, pot pies, salads, wraps, or sandwiches.
Glazes and Marinades
Reduce poaching liquid way down to make a flavorful glaze for chicken or meats. Or marinate raw meats in poaching liquid to add flavor.
Cooking Beans
Use poaching liquid instead of water when cooking beans or lentils to add depth of flavor.
Sample Poaching Liquid Recipe Ideas
Here are a few recipe ideas that deliciously utilize poaching liquid:
1. Chicken and Vegetable Soup
- Saute aromatics like onion, celery, and carrots.
- Add diced potatoes, green beans, and corn.
- Pour in poaching liquid and simmer until veggies are tender.
- Stir in shredded poached chicken and cooked noodles.
- Season with herbs and spices as desired.
2. Mushroom Quinoa
- Saute sliced mushrooms and shallots in olive oil.
- Add quinoa and poaching liquid. Simmer until quinoa is fluffy.
- Stir in fresh thyme and parsley.
- Top with shaved Parmesan cheese.
3. Pan Seared Pork Chops
- Sear seasoned pork chops in a hot skillet.
- Remove pork chops and add poaching liquid to the pan.
- Whisk in Dijon mustard and cream.
- Simmer until thickened into a sauce.
- Spoon sauce over pork chops to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink poaching liquid?
Poaching liquid is quite dilute and drinking a large quantity would not provide significant nutrition. However, it is safe to consume in moderation if boiled after poaching to eliminate bacteria. Many cooks drink a small sample to check the seasoning.
Is poaching liquid good for dogs?
Yes, poaching liquid can be fed to dogs in moderation as an unseasoned broth. It provides hydration along with traces of protein, vitamins and minerals. Be sure to cool fully before serving to avoid burn risk. Check with your vet for feeding guidelines.
Does poaching liquid need to be refrigerated?
Yes, poaching liquid should be refrigerated within 2 hours of cooking for food safety, just like any leftover broth. To store, let cool completely first. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days or freeze for longer storage.
Can you reuse poaching liquid?
It’s not recommended to reuse poaching liquid more than once. The flavors and nutrients begin to degrade quickly with reuse. For best quality and food safety, use leftover poaching liquid within a few days and make a fresh batch each time you poach.
Is poaching liquid Keto-friendly?
Yes, plain poaching liquid without added fat or carbs is typically Keto diet friendly. A one cup serving contains around 5 calories, 1g protein, 0g net carbs, and 0g fat. Use it as a Keto-approved broth alternative in recipes.
Conclusion
Rather than wasting the flavorful poaching liquid left behind after poaching chicken, put it to good use. There are many possibilities for using that nutritious broth in soups, grains, veggies, sauces, and more. With proper storage and some creativity in the kitchen, poaching liquid can provide great flavor and nutrition while reducing food waste.