Who doesn’t love a plate of crispy, golden-brown fried chicken thighs? They’re tender on the inside, with irresistibly crunchy skin. In this article, we’ll show you how to fry chicken thighs to perfection using bone-in or boneless pieces. Get ready to satisfy your craving for delicious, homemade fried chicken!
The Recipe: Deep Fried Chicken Thighs
If you’re looking for a simple, quick, and mouthwatering dinner option, this deep-fried chicken thighs recipe is just what you need. With a few well-chosen spices and herbs, you’ll achieve incredible flavor in just 30 minutes. Plus, you can customize the seasoning to your liking by using jerk seasoning, peri peri seasoning, or cajun seasoning.
Ingredients
To bring out the best in your fried chicken thighs, gather the following ingredients:
- Chicken thighs
- Paprika
- Cumin
- Garlic powder
- Onion granules
- Black pepper
- Salt
- Oil
- Flour (if making it with breading)
How to Fry Chicken Thighs (Deep Fry Chicken Thighs)
In just a few simple steps, you’ll have perfectly fried chicken thighs ready to enjoy:
- In a small bowl, mix paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion granules, black pepper, and salt.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry and rub the seasoning mixture all over them. For even more flavor, marinate the chicken in the fridge for 2-12 hours.
- If using breading, combine flour, paprika, cumin, garlic powder, onion granules, and salt in another bowl. Coat each seasoned chicken thigh in the flour mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep pot to a temperature of 350F.
- Carefully add the chicken thighs and fry until they turn golden brown, with crispy skin and tender meat (approximately 25-30 minutes).
- Remove the fried chicken thighs from the oil and let them rest on a paper towel-lined plate for 5 minutes.
- Serve and savor the deliciousness!
Fried Boneless Chicken Thighs
If you prefer boneless chicken thighs, we’ve got you covered. Simply follow the same instructions as above, but reduce the cooking time by 10 minutes. Whether you choose to bread your boneless chicken thighs or not, the result will be equally satisfying.
How Long to Fry Chicken Thighs
For bone-in chicken thighs, fry them for 25-30 minutes at a temperature of 350F/175C. Boneless chicken thighs require around 15 minutes of frying time. To ensure safety, make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches at least 165F. A meat thermometer can help you monitor this.
What to Serve With Fried Chicken Thighs
Pair your crispy fried chicken thighs with an array of delicious side dishes. Consider options like fried potatoes, boiled broccoli, mac and cheese, rice, or any other accompaniment that suits your taste.
Storing Fried Chicken Thighs
To store your fried chicken thighs, ensure they cool completely and then pack them in a sealable bag or airtight container. You have two storage options:
- Refrigeration: Label the container with the name and date, and store in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Label the container with the name and date, and store in the freezer for up to 6 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your fried chicken thighs, either reheat them from frozen or thaw them first. Reheating can be done on the stove, in the oven, air fryer, or microwave. If using the microwave, cover the chicken with a microwave-safe lid and heat in 30-second intervals until warmed through.
Tips for Success
- Adjust the amount of pepper to suit your desired level of spiciness.
- Be cautious when frying to avoid burns from hot oil.
- If deep frying, use a slotted basket to safely remove the chicken from the oil.
- Avoid frying at excessively high temperatures, as this can cause the skin to burn before the inside is fully cooked.
- Don’t overcrowd the fryer to maintain the oil’s temperature.
- Place the fried chicken on a kitchen towel to remove excess oil.
- When choosing an oil, opt for ones with high smoke points like peanut oil, vegetable oil, or sunflower oil.
More Chicken Thighs Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, you’ll love these other chicken thigh recipes:
- Stove top chicken thighs
- Honey soy chicken thighs
- Air fryer chicken thighs
- Instant pot boneless chicken thighs
- Baked boneless chicken thighs
We hope you find this fried chicken thighs recipe as finger-licking good as we do! If you found this helpful, please rate it 5 stars and leave a comment below. We always love hearing from you. For more scrumptious recipes, be sure to subscribe to our blog at Family Cuisine. You can also follow us on Instagram and Pinterest. Don’t forget to check out our YouTube channel for more mouthwatering recipe videos. Happy frying!
