How Long To Cook Chicken Thigh For?

It’s time to reevaluate your poultry purchase if a pack of chicken breasts is a regular item on your weekly shopping list. Alternatives to the standard boneless, skinless chicken breasts that are consistently tender and flavorful include chicken thighs. The dark meat in the thighs makes them higher in fat and calories than the breasts, but they are still high in protein, and there are ways to reduce the fat and calories. Additionally, the flavoring makes these small cuts stand out in any dish you’re cooking.

Chicken thighs are located just above the knee in the bird’s leg. Because the meat has more fat and a darker color, this area of the bird’s anatomy is frequently referred to as the “dark meat.”

Thigh meat can be tough because the bird uses its muscles in its legs and thighs more than its breast. However, due to the additional fat, the chicken thigh meat is frequently tender and supple rather than stringy.

Depending on the cut you choose to buy, chicken thighs can be an excellent purchase for a low price. Select a cut that complements your dish and/or your budget. Keep in mind that the cost of chicken thighs increases by a few cents per pound for each cut or trimming the butcher is required to make.

Chicken thighs with the bone in and the skin on are frequently the least expensive, but chicken skin can add a lot of fat and calories to your diet. Cook the chicken thighs with the skin on and then remove it before serving for flavor without the fat. Bone-in thighs will also require more cooking time. The meat cannot heat up as quickly because of the bone.

The most expensive type of chicken thigh is frequently the boneless, skinless variety. Because of the additional work required by the butcher to prepare this, But for weeknight meals, boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a dream come true because they cook thoroughly quickly (generally in just 15 minutes total) and add tons of flavor to any dish.

The price of bone-in, skinless chicken thighs is in the middle of the other two choices, but they’re a great choice for health-conscious consumers. These take longer than the boneless option once more because of the bone, but the bone helps the thigh retain moisture.

Straight from the package, chicken thighs can be cooked. However, some people choose to purchase the least expensive cut—bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs—and further chop them to save money and obtain a protein option that cooks more quickly.

Cut along the bone while holding the skin-side down and piercing the meat with your knife to remove the bone. Run your knife between the bone and meat carefully after pulling the bone up and away from the meat. By scraping along the bone’s end with your knife, you can separate it from the surrounding meat.

With a few tugs, the skin of a chicken will come off the meat. To expedite the skin-removal procedure, you can also use a pair of scissors to snip any points where the skin is attached to the meat.

Trim the chicken by removing any visible pieces of bone, cartilage, or fat.

What To Serve With Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

You can serve chicken in a variety of ways, including over rice or noodles, a salad, with some fluffy carbs and vegetables, or any number of other ways. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

This oven-baked chicken will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days if properly packaged or stored. I recommend freezing it to extend it’s shelf life. The chicken will keep for four to six months in the freezer when kept in an airtight container.

How Do I Know When The Chicken Is Done?

Using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to make sure chicken is thoroughly cooked. When the chicken is done, insert a thermometer into the thickest or meatiest part of the bird, and the temperature should read between 165 and 175 degrees. Due to the minerals in the bones, chicken attached to the bone occasionally stays a little more pink than chicken breast, so I advise using a meat thermometer.

How Long To Bake Chicken Thighs

Remember that baking time for bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs must be longer than for skinless, boneless chicken thighs. Additionally, the temperature of the oven influences how long you should bake your chicken thighs.

FAQ

How long does chicken thigh meat take to cook?

Depending on size, boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook in 15 to 20 minutes. However, bone-in thighs require a little longer, between 25 and 30 minutes. Check the thighs’ internal temperature using a thermometer.

How long does chicken thighs take at 400?

You’ll want to bake these at 400 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes without moving or turning them during the process, so how long and at what temperature should you bake the thighs? This temperature and timing guarantee the desired combination of crispy outside and juicy inside.

How long do chicken thighs take at 180?

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°fan, gas mark 4. Rub the chicken thighs liberally with the mixture of 2 tablespoons Flora Buttery, herbs, garlic, lemon juice, and zest. Cook the chicken on a roasting pan in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until it is golden and thoroughly cooked.

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400?

When baking chicken thighs at a higher temperature, the outer skin turns golden brown, protecting the dark meat from overcooking and tenderizing the interior, making it even more flavorful and tender. I enjoy baking chicken thighs for 35 to 40 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit.