Chicken Thighs vs. Breasts: Which One Should You Really Be Buying?
Chicken is the most consumed meat in the United States, and for good reason—it’s affordable, easy to cook, and endlessly versatile. Chicken breasts and chicken thighs are the most common cuts, showing up in everything from sandwiches and pastas to salads and casseroles. But what’s the difference between the two, and when should you choose one over the other? From flavor and texture to cook time and best uses, here’s a closer look at what sets chicken breasts and chicken thighs apart.
What Are Chicken Breasts?
Chicken breasts are the leanest cut of a whole chicken and are prized as being high in protein and mild in flavor, which makes them a blank canvas for so many different types of chicken breast recipes . Each chicken has one large breast, which is typically split into two pieces. You’ll find both boneless and bone-in chicken breasts, as well as skinless and skin-on. Many recipes call for boneless and skinless chicken breasts since they’re quick and easy to cook.
How to Cook Chicken Breasts
There are so many different ways to cook with chicken breasts. You can slice them into thin cutlets to make dishes like chicken parmigiana or chicken piccata . Ree Drummond also uses chicken breasts to make Ladd’s favorite grilled chicken sandwich with hot honey and bacon . Looking for a recipe for basic chicken breasts that you can serve on a salad or with some simple sides? Try this air fryer chicken breast recipe . This poached chicken, on the other hand, is perfect if you’re needing shredded chicken for something like a casserole.
What Are Chicken Thighs?
When you want a forgiving, flavorful cut of chicken that is still easy to prep for a weeknight meal, turn to chicken thighs. While chicken breasts consist of lean, white meat, chicken thighs are a fattier dark meat that are juicy and, frankly, harder to overcook. You’ll find both boneless, skinless chicken thighs and bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs available at the grocery store or butcher’s shop.
How to Cook Chicken Thighs
Because they don’t dry out as easily as chicken breasts, chicken thighs are ideal for high-heat cooking like grilling, deep-frying, and braising. Consider these pan-roasted chicken thighs and slow cooker chicken thighs your all-purpose recipes, then try other variations such as these sticky-sweet honey-garlic chicken thighs , creamy chicken florentine , or Ree’s take on orange chicken .
Which Is Healthier—Chicken Breasts or Chicken Thighs?
Both chicken breasts and chicken thighs are nourishing sources of protein. Boneless, skinless chicken breast is generally lower in calories and fat than boneless, skinless chicken thigh, though both can be part of a healthy diet. A three-ounce serving of boneless, skinless breast contains about 140 calories and 3 grams of fat, whereas the same serving size of boneless, skinless chicken thighs has about 170 calories and 9 grams of fat.
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