You Need More Dark Meat Chicken in Your Life; Here Are 25 Recipes

25 recipes for dark meat chicken, the best part of the chicken.
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Ditte Isager

While there is certainly a time and a place for boneless, skinless chicken breasts, we're here to celebrate the thighs and legs. And we're gonna come out and say it: Dark meat is the best part of the chicken. It's got more flavor and is way less likely to dry out. Never be scared of dark meat. Love the dark meat. Embrace the dark meat.

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    Christopher Testani
    1/25

    Double-Dark Chicken Noodle Soup

    Our best-ever chicken stock begins with wings, which have a high skin-to-meat ratio. Browning the wings results in lots of caramelized nooks and crannies that imbue the stock with a deep, savory flavor.

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  • Michael Graydon + Nikole Herriott
    2/25

    Pickle-Brined Fried Chicken

    How does the fried chicken from Rose's Luxury achieve No. 1 status? Brined, boneless thighs are responsible for incredible dark-meat flavor, and the dredge technique creates an insanely crunchy coating.

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  • Christina Holmes
    3/25

    Wedding Chicken

    “When I was getting married, I couldn’t think of a caterer I wanted to use,” says chef Naomi Pomeroy, Expatriate, Portland, OR, “and I didn’t want to ask my staff.” Her solution? Cook for her guests herself. She went with super-simple chicken, powered by a throw-together marinade.

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  • Danny Kim
    4/25

    Braised Chicken Thighs with Mustard and Chestnuts

    Keep the heat on low after you stir in the mustard—the sauce could break unattractively if it boils.

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  • Ditte Isager
    15/25

    White Wine–Braised Chicken

    This is an infinitely customizable dish: Try different fresh herbs, add thinly sliced vegetables, or throw in some spices.

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  • Hirsheimer & Hamilton
    16/25

    Pan-Roasted Chicken with Harissa Chickpeas

    Harissa is a great shortcut ingredient to flavor, but no two jars (or tubes) are the same. Taste first—if it seems very spicy, use a bit less. You can always stir more into the chickpeas when the dish is finished.

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