Tips for Cooking Chicken Thighs

At Kiwilimón, we know that cooking can be a somewhat exhausting task for various reasons. On one hand, the prices of many ingredients have increased, while it is also true that sometimes we just don't know what to cook, we are very tired after work, or we have certain dietary restrictions. For example, in the case of chicken recipes, it is common for us to prepare the classics: Swiss enchiladas, golden chicken tacos, grilled chicken breast, chicken tinga, or chicken with mole. However, many times we get bored of the same old thing: chicken breast. So, to add variety to your menu and save money, at Kiwilimón we suggest cooking some juicy and exquisite chicken thighs for your meals this week, as they are not only a cheaper cut of chicken than the breast, but they are also very economical and versatile. Get to work and discover the best tips for cooking chicken thighs! You can also read: Should chicken be washed before cooking?How to cook chicken thighsIf you are someone who rarely includes chicken thighs in your meals, don't worry, as we have researched the best tips for cooking this cut of chicken, so take notes! 1. The secret is in seasoning It may seem like a very obvious tip, but the reality is that many people overlook the importance of using salt, pepper, spices, and marinades in their proteins. So if you have some chicken thighs in the fridge, don't hesitate to season them well, add some chopped garlic, fresh pepper, and the ideal amount of salt. Additionally, you can marinate with spices like cumin, paprika, cayenne pepper, thyme, Italian herbs, lemon zest, or even marinate with yogurt to make them juicier. Remember that when cooking, there are no limits, so use your imagination and include the ingredients you like the most; your chicken will turn out delicious! 2. Don't remove the skin To give your recipe a different touch, you can leave the skin on the chicken, as this way you will have a much crispier and tastier texture. Moreover, leaving the skin on also helps keep the thigh juicier, as it prevents it from losing its juices quickly during cooking.If you decide to leave the skin on, here's what you should do:Marinate the chicken to your liking and let it rest in the fridge.Heat a pan over medium-low heat.Add a bit of oil and place the thighs skin-side down.Allow the skin to brown and become crispy.Finish cooking the chicken in the oven at 180 °C.You can add some vegetables and serve with pasta, rice, or salad for a complete meal. 3. Preheat the oven If you want to cook something different but without much effort, then this technique is ideal for you, as you will only use your oven:Preheat the oven.Season or marinate the chicken to your liking and let it rest in the fridge.Cut, season, and add vegetables like potatoes, carrots, green beans, zucchini, and broccoli in a baking dish.Add the chicken thighs, skin-side up.Bake at 180 °C until the chicken is well-cooked and the vegetables are roasted.You can also read: 8 ways to make chicken breast go further 4. Use the right pan Experts from Food & Wine state that one of the keys to cooking the best chicken thighs is choosing the right pan, as many times they do not turn out very crispy. To avoid this, it is necessary for the pan to be large enough and to leave enough space between the pieces of chicken, as this way they will brown and become very crispy. 5. Add more flavor to your stews Another very easy way to cook chicken thighs is to incorporate them into many of your chicken recipes. For example, if you want to make strips with chicken and cream, instead of using shredded breast, you can brown cubes of thigh and add them to your stews. You can do the same to prepare salads with chicken, stews, sweet and sour chicken, fried rice, and more; your dishes will turn out even more delicious! Now that you know these 5 tips for cooking juicy and crispy chicken thighs, it's time to get to work and prepare them with Kiwilimón.