Chicken thighs are a less expensive and more flavorful alternative to basic chicken breasts.
Plus, the added flavor makes these small cuts shine in any dish you’re preparing.
Try These:18 Sheet-Pan Dinner Recipes Using Chicken Thighs
What Are Chicken Thighs?
Photo Credit: Alison Miksch.
Chicken thighs are a part of the bird’s leg, a section just above the knee.
However, because of the extra fat, chicken thigh meat is often tender and supple, not stringy.
Pick the cut that best suits your dish or your budget.
For flavor without the fat, cook the chicken thighs with the skin on and remove it before serving.
Bone-in thighs will also require more cooking time.
The bone slows down how quickly the meat can heat up.
Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are often the most expensive chicken thigh option.
That’s because the butcher has to do extra work to prepare this.
To removethe skin:Chicken skin will peel off the meat with a few tugs.
To trim the chicken:Remove any bits of bone, cartilage or fat from the piece of chicken.
4 Ways to Cook Chicken Thighs
Each method for cooking chicken thighs delivers delicious results.
How to Bake Chicken Thighs
All three types of chicken thighs cook well in an oven.
Thanks to the even heat of an oven, the bone-in variety can also cook evenly.
1.Preheat the oven.Heat the oven to 425F, and position the oven rack in the middle of the oven.
2.Place in the pan.Season the thighs with any rub, marinade or sauce you wish.
Place the chicken thighs in an oven-safe glass or ceramic dish.
Bone-in thighs, however, take a bit more time, between 25 and 30 minutes.
Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thighs.
They’re finished cooking when the temperature reads 165F.
1.Preheat the grill or grill pan.Heat the grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
Rub the grates with olive oil.
2.Place on the grill.Season the thighs with your rub, marinade or sauce of choice.
Place the chicken thighs skin-side down on the grill or grill pan.
If you don’t want the added calories and fat, just remove the skin before serving.
Bone-in thighs require more time, 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs.
They’re finished cooking when the temperature reads 165F.
Let the chicken stand for 5 to 10 minutes to keep it moist.
you’re able to use a bone-in cut, but keep in mind the additional cook time needed.
1.Heat a pan.Warm some extra-virgin olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
3.Flip the chicken.After 5 to 7 minutes, flip the chicken.
Cook another 5 to 7 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165F.
Bone-in chicken thighs may require more cooking time to reach this temperature.
3.Turn up the pressure.Close and lock the lid.
Cook at high pressure for 8 minutes.
4.Let rest.Release the pressure, then let the thighs stand for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
National Chicken Council.Nutritional values for chicken.
