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Meat and poultry

Chicken thighs: what they are, how to pick and store them

Dark meat: juicier and more forgiving than breasts, so they stay tender through long braises, grilling and roasting.

How to pick them

Check the date. The meat should be pink, not gray, with no sour smell. Bag it at the store so it can't drip on other food.

How to store them

Keep it in the coldest part of the fridge in its package, on a plate or in a bag. Thaw frozen chicken in the fridge, never on the counter.

How long they keep (FoodSafety.gov cold storage chart)
FoodFridge (40°F)Freezer (0°F)
Raw chicken pieces1 to 2 days9 months

Have some left over? Recipes that use up chicken or turkey.

Out of chicken thighs? What to use instead

  • Chicken breasts: The same weight. Leaner and milder; cooks faster and dries out sooner.
  • Extra-firm tofu or chickpeas: About the same weight of pressed tofu, or 1½ cups chickpeas per ½ lb chicken. A different dish, but it takes the same seasoning well.

Swaps for chicken breasts or thighs, with what changes

Recipes with chicken thighs (21)

More recipes with chicken thighs

More meat and poultry

Ground beefChicken breastsAll 60 ingredient guides

Pick and store tips are in our own words. Storage times and safe temperatures are only shown where a U.S. government source gives them, named on each line; for anything not listed here, see USDA's FoodKeeper app.