In general, chicken is a healthy choice of meat, plus there are so many things that you can do with chicken breasts, thighs, and wings. I am sure a lot of you, though, prefer thighs. For one, it is a good source of lean protein just like the breast. One big advantage of using chicken thighs is that they are quite easy to cook and you’d have lower chances of screwing them up when compared to utilizing breasts or even the whole bird. It’s all about how you cook this part of a chicken.

To ensure that you will have better results, here are various ways to cook chicken thighs according to so many thighs:

Slow Roast With No Brine

All you have to do is to heat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Rub each thigh with olive oil and then season with salt and pepper. When you put the thighs on a roasting pan, be sure that the skin side is up. You also have to roast it uncovered. The meat closest to the bone should read 165 degrees Fahrenheit, and the skin is crispy. This process takes about 2 hours.

Slow Roast With Dry Brine

The difference between slow roast with no brine and slow-roast with dry brine is that the latter requires you to season the thighs with salt and pepper first and refrigerate uncovered overnight. The rest of the steps are the same.

Sear and High-Heat Roast

Heat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit. Meanwhile, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a cast-iron skillet over high heat. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Once the oil is hot, put the thighs skin-side down. Sear for a couple of minutes and then reduce heat to medium-high. Continue cooking until the skin is brown and crispy. Transfer to the oven uncovered for 13 minutes and flip and continue cooking for about 5 minutes. The meat closest to the bone should register 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sear and Roast

Heat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. While waiting, heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and then season the thighs with salt and pepper. Just like sear and high-heat roast, add the thighs skin-side down. Sear for about 10 minutes. Roast without cover for another 10 minutes until the meat closest to the bone reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The skin should be puffed and crispy. The whole process takes about 2 hours.

Braise

Start by seasoning the thighs with salt and pepper, and then heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Cook each side for 5 minutes and then transfer to a plate with the oil. Reserve about 1 tablespoon.

Add canned chopped tomatoes, 1/2 cup of chicken stock, and a little bit of salt. Simmer and arrange the thighs in the sauce skin-side up. Cook partially covered for about half an hour.

Batter and Fry

Marinate the chicken thighs a few hours in advance. Dredge the meat in seasoned flour, and then fry each side for 10 minutes or until golden. Be sure to drain excess oil before serving.

Oven-Fry

Brine the meat for a few hours by combining 2 tbsps of salt and 1 cup of warm water in a large bowl. Add the meat as well as ice cubes and then put them in the fridge.

Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and put a pan with butter inside. Mix all-purpose flour with salt and pepper in a zip-top bag and then add the thighs. Seal, shake, and remove the meat. Arrange the thighs in the pan skin-side down and oven-fry for about 40 minutes until crispy. Flip and roast for another 20 minutes.

Skillet Only

Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the thighs with salt and pepper and add to the skillet skin-side down. Cook for about 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for another 15 minutes.

Closing Thoughts

Overall, the best among the best is to batter and fry the chicken thighs. This would give you juicy, crispy, and delicious meal.