Name: Carnivore Chicken Thigh
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 8 Chicken Thighs; 2 tablespoons Butter; 1 teaspoon Salt

Forget complicated recipes and long ingredient lists – if you’re living the carnivore life, you know that simple often means spectacular. This chicken thigh recipe is about to become your new go-to.

It delivers everything you want: juicy chicken, insanely crispy skin, and just the right amount of savory flavor. Whether you’re a seasoned carnivore pro or new to the lifestyle, this recipe is the perfect way to prove that delicious meals don’t have to be difficult.

Get ready to ditch the fuss and embrace the simple satisfaction of perfectly cooked meat.

Table of Contents

👍 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple Yet Delicious– This easy carnivore chicken thigh recipe only calls for a few basic ingredients like chicken, butter, and salt, allowing the natural flavors of the chicken and simple seasonings to shine through.

With just a short prep time and mostly hands-off baking, you’ll soon be enjoying tender, juicy chicken thighs bursting with savory flavor.

Perfectly Crispy Skin– The two-stage baking method first gently cooks the chicken until tender and moist, then finishes it off under high heat to achieve exceptionally crispy, crackling skin encasing the juicy meat within. Every bite will provide the satisfying crunch you crave.

Comforting Warmth– As the chicken roasts, your kitchen will fill with the enticing aromas of butter and chicken fat slowly rendering from the skin.

When served hot from the oven, the thighs release even more fragrance and warmth that provides pure comfort with each tasty bite.

✨ Recipe Ingredients

For this carnivore chicken thigh recipe you will need:

8 Chicken Thighs
2 tablespoons Butter
1 flat teaspoon Salt

👨‍🍳 How To Make

Follow this recipe to make the best carnivore chicken thighs:

Step 1

Start by preheating the oven to 250°F (120°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a greased wire rack on top (use butter for greasing).

Step 2

Season the chicken with salt and, if desired, black pepper.

Step 3

Bake the chicken in the oven for 30 minutes.

Step 4

Increase the oven temperature to 425°F (220°C) and continue baking until the chicken is brown and crispy, which may take 20 minutes or more.

Step 5

Remove the chicken from the oven, let it rest for 15 minutes, and then serve. Enjoy these tasty and crispy carnivore diet chicken thighs!

💡Tips

1. Let Chicken Rest Sufficiently

Allowing proper rest time is imperative for optimum texture and juiciness. Chicken thighs need sufficient resting after baking to complete the cooking process and relax the proteins.

If you cut into them too quickly, the juices can leak out and the meat seems dry. When the chicken comes out looking beautifully browned, it is tempting to immediately dig in!

However, diligently allowing it to rest first for the full 15 minutes stated in this recipe is worth the wait for best results. Time the resting with a kitchen timer to prevent any cheating and cutting short this essential step.

2. Adjust Cook Times Accordingly

Keep in mind the stated cook times, especially regarding the final 425°F baking stage, are simply estimates and your exact timing could vary substantially depending on your specific oven and chicken pieces.

Thicker, bone-in chicken thighs with skin intact will understandably require longer baking at the higher heat setting to fully crisp the exterior compared to thin boneless skinless cuts.

3. Air Circulation

Placing the chicken on a wire rack allows hot air to circulate around the chicken, ensuring it cooks evenly and the skin becomes crispy.

Variations

1. Chicken Thighs with Bacon- Start with the original recipe but wrap each chicken thigh tightly in a strip of bacon before baking. The bacon will become crispy and flavorful, infusing the chicken with a smoky richness.

2. Chicken Thighs with Melted Blue Cheese– Follow the original recipe but top each chicken thigh with crumbled blue cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking. The cheese will melt into a delicious pungent pool.

Storage

Store the cooked chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also freeze the cooked chicken for up to 3 months. Allow the chicken to cool completely before storing. Wrap tightly in aluminum foil or place in freezer bags, squeezing out excess air.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is the oven temperature increased partway through baking?

The oven temperature is initially set to a lower 250°F to allow the chicken thighs to cook through without burning or over-browning.

Then the temperature is increased to 425°F to make the skin crispy. This two-step method results in thoroughly cooked, moist meat with crispy skin.

2. Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Chicken thighs are recommended since they will remain juicier after baking. Chicken breasts are prone to drying out, but you could bake them for less time if substituted. Check them early and often.

3. Do the chicken thighs need to be skin-on for this recipe?

Yes, the skin is key for achieving crispy chicken. Skinless chicken thighs will still be flavorful but will lack the crispy texture.

Chicken on Carnivore Diet

Chicken offers numerous benefits that make it an exceptional protein source to include as part of a meat-focused carnivore way of eating:

Cost-Effective

Compared to red meat like beef and lamb, chicken tends to be very budget-friendly, especially when purchasing bone-in, skin-on thighs and drumsticks. This makes incorporating satisfying amounts of animal protein affordable and sustainable over the long-term.

Nutrient-Dense

Chicken provides high-quality, complete protein containing all the essential amino acids your body needs. It’s also loaded with a variety of vitamins and minerals like niacin, vitamin B6, selenium, phosphorus and more.

Versatile

From simmering chicken bone broth to grilling wings or baking chicken thighs, there are endless ways to prepare and enjoy chicken to add tasty variety to your carnivore diet. This versatility makes sticking to an all-meat routine feel less monotonous.

Satisfying Texture & Flavors

Chicken offers a pleasing texture and mouthfeel ranging from juicy and tender to perfectly crispy when the skin is browned. The flavors also beautifully pick up any seasoning or cooking fat for added oomph.

When thoughtfully sourced and prepared, chicken brings positive nutrition, convenience, and satiation to the carnivore eating approach. Experiment with all the wonderful chicken-centric options to find new staples your palette loves.

I hope you enjoy making these simple yet delicious carnivore chicken thighs. This recipe is easy to prepare and full of flavor. Be sure to visit my website for more tasty carnivore diet recipes.

Feel free to leave any questions or comments you may have below. I’m always happy to hear feedback and provide more recipe ideas for those following a carnivore way of eating.