Instant Expert!: Chicken Thighs
A Real Steal
Buying boneless, skinless thighs rather than boneless, skinless breasts saves you $1 or more per pound. And if you shop organic? You'll save around $2 per pound.
Chicken Roll-Ups
Wrap up dinner by layering boneless thighs with an apple-and-herb stuffing. Serve with buttered green beans or sauteed spinach or kale.
Take the Heat
Thighs are among the most forgiving cuts. Unlike white meat, which can dry out because it's so lean, thigh meat stays moist and juicy even if you overcook it.
Chicken Skillet Ratatouille
Searing and then simmering thighs adds rich flavor to this veggie-packed stew and makes for succulent meat that falls off the bone. For a leaner dish, remove the skin before searing.
Good for You
Thigh meat contains 56% more zinc -- an essential nutrient -- than white meat. Plus, a 3-ounce serving has only 38 more calories and 2 more grams of saturated fat than white meat. And there's often no need to moisten the meat with mayo or other rich ingredients, so you may actually be cutting calories and fat.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwiches
Why should breasts have all the fun on a bun? Thighs are super sandwich stuffers that stand up to boldly seasoned condiments.
Chicken Cordon Bleu Sandwiches
Cook in a Flash
Under the broiler, in a pan, on the grill -- boneless, skinless chicken thighs are done in minutes. They cook faster than breasts because they're thinner. Dinner is served!
Chicken Schnitzel
You can batter thighs and dredge them in breadcrumbs, just as you would chicken breasts. Even when pan-fried, they won't dry out.
Endlessly Customizable
Slice and skewer them or toss them into stir-fries. Cube them for soups and salads. Shred them for tacos. Mince or grind them for ravioli or dumplings. You can't go wrong!
Grilled Chicken Tikka Skewers
The smidge of extra fat in dark meat helps it absorb marinades better than white meat, so it's easy to give thighs lots of flavor.
Debone Your Own
Bone-in thighs can be an even bigger bargain than boneless. And if your recipe calls for boneless, never fear: Deboning is a cinch.
- Place the thigh skin side down on a cutting board.
- Using a sharp, thin knife, cut a slit along the length of the bone to separate it from the meat.
- Grab the bone at one end and cut the meat underneath it to release the bone completely.
30 More Thighs
From creamy soups to exotic dinners, these 30 recipes will make any chicken thigh taste like a million bucks!
