Introduction to Crispy Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are a keto staple due to their relatively cheap price tag along with the high fat content provided by the skin, which we plan on crisping to perfection. Moisture is the enemy of crispiness, and there are a couple of key aspects to getting the perfect crispy chicken thigh.
The Trick to Making a Crispy Chicken Thigh
To achieve a super dry skin, perfect for crispifying without drying out the whole thigh, set the thighs out with a healthy sprinkling of salt for about one hour prior to cooking, skin side up. This will draw all of the moisture out of the chicken skin. By the time you check back an hour later, you should notice water visible on top of the skin. Just prior to cooking, pat the skin dry with a paper towel. The drier the skin, the crisper it will be.
Crispy Skin
Aside from getting the skin as dry as possible, there is another step to achieving crispiness and flavor. Tuck a generous handful of seasonings under the skin. This will not only provide flavor but will also ensure separation between meat and skin, allowing for the skin to get extra crispy and the meat to be nice and tender.
Cast Iron Skillet
A cast iron skillet is the best tool for cooking crispy chicken thighs, as it is able to hold a steady heat even when the chicken thighs are added. If you don’t have a cast iron skillet, you can use any type of skillet or nonstick pan.
Keto Dinner Time
Serve the thighs in their whole form or cut them into big chunks and serve over some buttery cauliflower rice. This provides a great cross-section in which you can see all the delicious seasonings underneath the skin, the crispy chicken thigh skin itself, and the moist meat below.
Crispy Chicken Thigh with Rosemary Butter Recipe
Details
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 4 thighs
- Calories per serving: 356.5 kcal
Instructions
- Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
- Remove the bone from the chicken thighs.
- Place chicken thighs on a cutting board and pat dry.
- Thoroughly coat the top of the skin and under the skin with the seasoning mix. Also, put 1/2 tablespoon of butter under the skin of each thigh.
- Use the remaining seasoning mix to rub on the back of the thighs.
- Add coconut oil or ghee to a pan on medium-high heat and place thighs on the skillet with the skin facing down.
- Cook for about 10 minutes or until the skin is crispy, then flip over and cook for another 10-15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 356.5
- Calories from Fat: 279
- Fat: 31g (48% DV)
- Protein: 20g (40% DV)
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
About the Author
Matt Gaedke is a former college basketball player turned computer engineer who discovered his passion for health and nutrition after cutting sugar from his diet in 2016. He founded KetoConnect with Megha to share their ketogenic lifestyle through recipes, videos, and educational content. Matt is always seeking to grow and try new things, a passion he shares with his wife and two amazing sons.
