How Long to Boil a Whole Chicken
Weight is an important factor to consider when determining how long to boil a whole chicken. Chickens come in a variety of sizes, and the larger a whole chicken is, the longer it will take to boil. A 3-to-4-pound chicken will take approximately 90 minutes to boil, but for chickens larger than that, you'll need to add 15 minutes per additional pound.
You also need to consider whether your chicken is frozen or fresh. If the chicken is frozen, add on another 15 minutes. That means that a whole frozen chicken that weighs 3 to 4 pounds will take about an hour and 45 minutes to cook at a boil.
Use a meat thermometer to take the chicken's internal temperature to determine when it's done. The chicken will be done and safe to eat once its temperature has reached at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.