Keto Chicken Thigh Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Is chicken breast or thigh better for keto? ›

Fattier cuts like the thigh, drumstick and wings have more calories, which make them better for people wanting to build muscle or gain weight. People on low-carb or keto diets also need to eat more fat and may benefit from eating these cuts too. Overall, chicken is a great addition to your diet.

One skinless, boneless, cooked chicken thigh (116 g) contains : Calories: 208. Protein: 28.8 g. Carbs: 0 g.

What kind of chicken can I eat on keto? For meat lovers, the best news is → both white meat and dark meat are perfectly fine to eat when following a keto diet. However, note that the best type of chicken to use is definitely chicken breast as it is the leanest cut.

Parts like chicken wings, thighs, and drumsticks are very high in calories and fat, thus, making them a not-so-good option for weight loss. Apart from this, make sure that the chicken that you are eating is not deep fried or loaded with sauces, as this increases the calorie count.

And while it is true that chicken thighs tend to contain more fat and cholesterol than breast meat (which has 3 g total fat and 0.7 g saturated fat per 3-ounce serving, per the USDA), both can easily fit into the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommendations for fat intake.

Chicken Thighs

Dark meat, like avocados, is high in healthy monounsaturated fats. Thighs are also more affordable than skinless chicken breasts, so they're an all-around smart addition to your weeknight dinner routine.

In general, skinless chicken breast is considered one of the healthiest cuts of chicken. It is low in fat and calories, yet high in protein and essential nutrients such as vitamins B6 and B12, niacin, and phosphorus.

Chicken thighs are fattier than the breasts and are also moister in comparison. ... Approximately, a 3-ounce skinless chicken breast can provide 140 calories, 3 grams of fat and 1 gram of saturated fat. On the other side, the same amount of chicken thighs will give you 3 times the amount of fat and 170 calories.

If you're looking for a quick, relatively easy path to crispy-skinned thighs with juicy meat, call in the skillet-only method. If you're a stickler for even cooking, the sear and high-heat roast method is the way to go. For beautifully flavored meat and a light, crisp skin, try the dry brine and slow roast.

No need to move the chicken around, just let them do their thing and get nice and crusty. Move the pan to the oven and let them continue to cook skin side down for 9 minutes. Flip and cook another 3 minutes. Once the chicken is out of the oven, move to a clean plate and allow it to rest for 5 minutes.

Can chicken thighs be a little pink? ›

Safely cooked poultry can vary in color from white to pink to tan. All poultry should reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9°C) as measured with a food thermometer. For whole poultry, check the internal temperature in the innermost part of the thigh and wing and the thickest part of the breast.

Yes, rotisserie chicken is keto-friendly. It's a carb-free option and a great source of protein (20-25 grams of protein per portion size). But you need to be careful about the part of the whole chicken you eat since some options have a high-fat content (mostly from saturated fats).

Meat and poultry are popular with people on the keto diet because they're high in fat and very low in carbs. However, scientists have found links between eating too much meat on a regular basis and health conditions like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and excess weight.

Unfortunately, fried chicken uses flour or cornmeal (and sometimes cornstarch) to create its familiar beloved crunchy crust. That means it's not keto-friendly. Traditional fried chicken can be made keto-friendly if you remove the breading before eating.

Chicken breast is significantly leaner than chicken thighs. According to the Australian Chicken Meat Federation, 100g of skinless chicken breast contains 22.3g of protein and 1.6g of fat. Compare this to 100g of skinless chicken thigh, which contains 17.5g of protein and 8.4g of fat.

It's a great protein—versatile, customizable, and delicious. Chicken breasts are a perfect serving size, too, and you can find them nearly everywhere. Chicken breasts have zero net carbs, so they won't mess up your keto diet.

Way More Flavorful

Any good cook knows that fat is flavor, and that is yet another reason why thighs are superior to breasts. Chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat, which means they're going to have more intense, rich flavor than their white meat counterparts.