Hen Thigh Marinade – Rachel Cooks®

For thus a few years, rooster thighs had been persona non grata (er—poultry non grata?) in so lots of our properties. It was all skinless boneless rooster breasts, on a regular basis. This rooster thigh marinade makes me glad the world has appeared to rediscover the deserves of darkish meat. 

For those who’re in search of a multi-tasking marinade that works properly with nearly any delicacies, taste, or facet dish, that is the one. Need a marinade you should utilize for grilling, baking, and in addition the air fryer? This rooster thigh marinade is the one for that too! Principally, you possibly can’t go unsuitable with this recipe.

(Can’t get sufficient rooster thighs? You’ll wish to add these Prompt Pot rooster thighs to your menu ASAP!)

Ingredient Notes

• Bone-in skin-in rooster thighs: The recipe calls for 3 kilos of meat, which is six to eight rooster thighs, relying on measurement. The quantity is versatile, in the event you occur to have a bit extra or a bit much less. For those who choose boneless, skinless rooster thighs, you will have about 2 kilos. And sure, though this can be a rooster thigh marinade, it completely works for rooster breasts, legs, and even different varieties of meat. Attempt it with pork tenderloins!
• Olive oil: No want for the fancypants stuff right here, particularly in the event you’re grilling—the smoke level is simply too low. You may swap in canola or vegetable oil in the event you’d like.
• Apple cider vinegar: White wine or pink wine vinegar can be utilized as a substitute if that’s what you’ve gotten. The marinade could have a barely totally different taste.
• Honey: I like utilizing honey as a substitute of sugar as a result of it additionally provides taste to the equation, reasonably than simply pure sweetness.
• Dijon mustard: Not solely does mustard add a bit of little bit of punch and pep, it helps to emulsify the marinade. With out it, you could have a troublesome time mixing the oil and vinegar collectively.
• Garlic: The garlic cloves could be minced or pushed via a garlic press.
• Seasonings: Dried thyme, crushed dried rosemary, kosher salt, and coarse floor black pepper are easy pantry seasonings.
• Recent parsley: A handful of contemporary chopped herbs on the cooked rooster provides visible curiosity and contemporary taste (nevertheless it’s completely elective!).

How To Make Marinated Hen Thighs

Combine the marinade. Whisk collectively the marinade components (oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, and seasonings) in a big bowl. Be sure that the bowl is giant sufficient to carry the rooster items, too.

Add the rooster. Place the rooster thighs within the marinade and switch it just a few occasions in order that all the meat is evenly coated. Cowl the bowl with plastic wrap or place in a zip-top bag.

Marinate. Refrigerate the marinating rooster for no less than half-hour, however as much as in a single day. I prefer to get it going within the morning, let the rooster marinate all day, after which it’s able to cook dinner for dinner. Tremendous straightforward and so flavorful!

Cook dinner. Take away the rooster from the marinade and discard the surplus marinade. Cook dinner the rooster thighs on the grill, within the oven, or within the air fryer, no matter you select. You’ll discover the how-to’s for all three strategies on the recipe card under.

Ideas and Variations

• Change up the herbs. Be at liberty to swap out the dried herbs to your favorites or no matter you’ve gotten readily available. Basil, sage, or marjoram will give your rooster thigh marinade a distinct taste profile, or use oregano like this Greek rooster marinade. You too can use contemporary herbs as a substitute, in the event you occur to have them readily available.
• Marinate in a bag. For those who’d like, you possibly can marinate the rooster thighs in a resealable plastic bag as a substitute of a bowl. This helps make sure the rooster is evenly coated. Simply be certain you place the bag inside a bowl or baking dish to catch any leaks!
• Use a meat thermometer. An instant-read thermometer is one of the best ways to know that these rooster thighs (or any meat, for that matter!) are cooked via and fit for human consumption. The temperature ought to attain 165ºF.

Serving Concepts

Leftover rooster thigh marinade ought to by no means be saved! Pour it down the drain after your rooster is completed marinating. As soon as it touches the rooster, it’s not secure to make use of once more.

Leftover cooked rooster thighs are nice for extra meals. Shred or chop the meat to make use of in salads, meal bowls, pasta, sandwiches, and extra, the identical approach you’d use Prompt Pot shredded rooster.

Cook dinner ModeForestall your display screen from going darkish

• In a bowl giant sufficient to carry rooster thighs, whisk collectively marinade components: olive oil, vinegar, honey, garlic, mustard, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.

  1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 2 cloves garlic, minced or pressed, ½ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon crushed dried rosemary, ½ teaspoon kosher salt, extra as desired, ¼ teaspoon coarse floor black pepper, extra as desired

• Add rooster and ensure it’s fully coated with marinade. Cowl with plastic wrap (see notice). Marinate within the fridge for at the very least half-hour, or ideally as much as 4 hours (or in a single day) for max taste.

  3 lbs. bone-in skin-on rooster thighs

• Take away the rooster thighs from the marinade and discard any extra marinade.

• To Grill: Grill rooster over medium warmth, pores and skin facet down, for about 8 minutes, flip, and cook dinner for an additional 8 minutes or till cooked via. Cooking time will fluctuate relying on thickness of meat and actual grill temperature. Let relaxation 5 minutes earlier than serving.

• To Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place rooster in greased baking dish. Bake for 20 to 35 minutes. Baking time will depend on thickness of rooster items.

• To Air Fry: Preheat air fryer at 400°F. Place rooster in air fryer in a single layer (you could have to do it in batches) and cook dinner for 10 minutes. Flip, and proceed to cook dinner for 10 extra minutes or till rooster is completed. Let relaxation 5 minutes earlier than serving.

• Cook dinner rooster (all strategies) till inside temperature reads 165°F on an on the spot learn thermometer. Don’t overcook. Garnish with contemporary parsley, if desired.

  Recent parsley to garnish, elective

• Versatile: That is sufficient marinade for about 3 kilos of bone-in skin-on rooster thighs, or 2 lbs. boneless skinless rooster thighs. I usually purchase bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs, and take away the pores and skin, leaving the bone in for taste. It additionally works properly for several types of rooster and different meat. It may used to marinate grilled greens, too.
• Marinate in a bag: For those who choose, marinate the rooster in a zip-top bag. Add rooster to bag and pour marinade over rooster. Seal bag and switch to coat rooster. Place on a rimmed sheet pan or baking dish to catch any potential leaks.
• Vitamin: As a result of a lot of the marinade is discarded if you cook dinner the rooster, the diet info will not be correct.

Serving: 1rooster thigh, Energy: 532kcal, Carbohydrates: 4g, Protein: 37g, Fats: 40g, Saturated Fats: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 8g, Monounsaturated Fats: 17g, Trans Fats: 0.2g, Ldl cholesterol: 222mg, Sodium: 396mg, Potassium: 478mg, Fiber: 0.2g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 183IU, Vitamin C: 0.4mg, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 2mg

Vitamin info is routinely calculated, so ought to solely be used as an approximation.

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