Due to their flavor and suppleness, chicken thighs are a favored dark meat poultry cut among chefs and home cooks alike. Chicken thighs are a tough cut because dark meat includes more tendons, but when cooked correctly, they become tender and moist since they contain more fat than white meat. More flavorful than white meat, they also say.
There are three types of chicken thighs available: bone-in and skin-on, bone-in and skinless. All three dishes can be prepared directly from the packaging. On average, the price of bone-in chicken thighs is around one-third that of boneless, skinless chicken breasts per pound. Although the price of boneless thighs is slightly higher, they are still much less expensive than breasts.
Preparing chicken thighs
When purchased already butchered, chicken thighs are prepared for cooking. If desired, additional preparation might be done at home. Place the chicken thigh skin-side down on a cutting board and debone it. Make an incision directly beside the bone with a sharp knife, pull the thigh open, and carefully trim the meat away from the bone, conserving the bone for stock in the process.
It is also possible to just cook chicken thighs with the skin and bone on. It is the hardest to overcook and will result in the most flavorful, juicy meat. Chicken thighs, whether bone-in or boneless, are also great for grilling and work well with marinades, frying, pan-frying, and roasting.
Recipes for Chicken Thighs
From curries to tacos to pulled barbeque to fried chicken, chicken thighs can be used in a variety of ways. They may also be prepared in a pressure cooker or slow cooker. Plan to serve each person roughly 1/2 pound of thighs (closer to 3/4 pound if the meat is bone-in). At least 165 degrees Fahrenheit should be reached internally in the thigh, while greater temperatures are acceptable because heat helps the connective tissue in the thigh break down.
Chicken thighs storage
Depending on the use-by date, chicken thighs can be kept in the refrigerator in their original packaging for up to three days. Use brand-new thighs as soon as possible for the best effects. Cooked chicken thighs can be stored for one or two days in the refrigerator in an airtight container.It's simple to freeze chicken thighs for later use. Each breast should be separately wrapped in foil or plastic wrap before being placed in a freezer bag with no air inside. For up to six months, freeze. Before using, let frozen thighs thaw overnight in the fridge.