Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs and More (2024)

22 Comments

  • Chicken Thigh Recipes

  • Chicken Drumstick Recipes

  • Chicken Breast Recipes

  • Whole Chicken Recipes

You can never have enough easy dinner recipes, especially when we're using chicken! Our latest eCookbook, "Piece-by-Piece," contains our favorite easy chicken recipes including chicken thigh recipes, chicken drumstick recipes, chicken breast recipes and whole chicken recipes! Pick your favorite piece, or try them all! These family-favorite meals are full of that "OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!®"

We're making our way through each part of the chicken: "piece-by-piece." Whether you've been looking for a healthy chicken salad or even a "drunken" chicken, these easy dinner ideas all adhere to the signature Mr. Food "Quick & Easy" philosophy you've come to love. These recipes are made to fit your lifestyle: on-the-go, staying-in or somewhere in between! Plus, chicken is one dish the whole family can agree on. Whether you like homestyle recipes or exotic meals, we've got them all, using ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store. Chicken dishes are one kind of dinner that's never going to go out of style! So, grab a few napkins, and don't forget your appetite — you're having chicken tonight!



Chicken Thigh Recipes

Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs and More (2)

Chicken thigh recipes are severely underused in the kitchen. And why should they be? They have so much more flavor than any other part of the chicken! For a perfect light 'n' easy meal, we suggest trying our our healthy chicken salad recipe for Taco Chicken Salad (page 3). The perfect meal for a warm summer's day, this chicken dish is sure to add a little spice to your usual dinner fare. For those of you looking for a classic dinner recipe that even Grandma would approve, you can't miss out on our old-fashioned recipe for Chicken and Rice (page 4). This easy casserole dish will warm you down to your toes, giving you a home-cooked meal your kids are surely going to love. These easy chicken recipes are sure to have everyone at the dinner table fighting for seconds!


Chicken Drumstick Recipes

Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs and More (3)

For a kid-friendly chicken meal, you can't go wrong with an easy chicken drumstick recipe. Drumsticks are an All-American classic in the "finger foods" category, perfect for sitting around and watching the game or enjoying a picnic dinner on the porch with your family. There isn't a kid around that wouldn't love taking a bite of our sweet 'n' spicy Honey Garlic Drumsticks (page 8). Pair it with a cool side of ranch dressing or blue cheese and an ice-cold glass of lemonade for the perfect summer meal. If you've always wanted to know how to cook fried chicken, you're in luck! We've even made it a healthier so you won't have to feel guilty when you chow down during your favorite TV show. Our All-American Oven-"Fried" Drumsticks (page 9) uses an oven instead of a deep-fryer to get the taste of country fried chicken without all of those unnecessary calories. It's a win-win!

Each of these easy chicken recipes has been triple-tested by our Test Kitchen so you can feel good about putting any of these recipes on your dinner table. We know how hard you work to put food on the table for your family. It's a treat anytime you all get to sit together at the dinner table, from soccer practice to late hours at the office and everything in between. Dinner time is family time, and whether you're looking to eat a plate of chicken tonight or you're simply heating up some leftovers, these easy chicken recipes are sure to have you smiling from ear to ear! Plus, all of our recipes use common household ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store so you aren't going to be breaking the bank trying to make a gourmet dinner. A tasty chicken dinner that's inexpensive, quick, and easy? It's almost too good to be true!

We've brought the recipes — all you have to do is bring a little bit of tender, loving care. These easy chicken recipes are chock full of that “OOH IT'S SO GOOD!!®"

Chicken Breast Recipes

Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs and More (5)

If there's one kind of chicken recipe that will never go out of style, it's got to be one of these easy chicken breast recipes. There's nothing that quite beats the appeal of Italian chicken recipes, especially when they're as tasty as our recipe for Chicken Piccata (page 12). Using a touch of white wine and parsley, this chicken dish has a touch of elegance, giving a restaurant-worthy spin to any meal. On the other side of the coin, we have a tropical favorite that's sure to get company talking with our recipe for "Drunken" Chicken (page 13). Cooked with a touch of lime, you'll only need to dust off your ukelele and close your eyes to imagine yourself in a tropical paradise. Plus, who could forget the universal appeal of a classic Chicken Alfredo (page 14) recipe? Everyone needs a go-to recipe that will work any time of year, and this chicken alfredo recipe certainly fits the bill!

Whole Chicken Recipes

Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs and More (6)

Sometimes you just need a recipe that's going to leave you with plenty of leftovers for the rest of the week. These easy dinner ideas using the whole chicken are perfect for leaving you with plenty of leftover chicken for lunch the next day! There's no grilling favorite that quite measures up to the legendary Beer Can Chicken (page 17). The perfect recipe for your next tailgating cookout, you can finally learn the secret recipe everyone's been talking about! For those of you who are looking for something with a bit of a kick, you're going to love our recipe for Hot 'n' Spicy Orange Chicken (page 19). Just as tasty as your favorite Asian restaurant, we'll show you how a whole baked chicken doesn't have to be anywhere near ordinary! For a hearty family favorite, we know you're going to love our healthy chicken recipe for Roasted Chicken with Vegetables (page 20). Whether you're looking for holiday meal ideas or just like having an old-fashioned, home-cooked dinner, this is one recipe you won't want to miss!

With your free copy of Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs & More, you can also subscribe to our Mr. Food Quick &Easy Everyday Cooking newsletter to become part of a vibrant community of home cooking enthusiasts. In subscribing to the newsletter you will receive:

  • Six weekly emails with free recipes, tips, menu planning, videos and more
  • Chances to win cookbooks and other products from our giveaways and contests
  • Access to our free recipe collection full of thousands more free triple-tested recipes from the Mr. Food Test Kitchen
  • The opportunity to share ideas and help others in the cooking community

As a fan of Mr. Food's Quick & Easy cooking philosophy, I know you can see the value in this free ebook. Try out these easy cake recipes with the free Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs & More. Once you subscribe to receive our newsletter, you'll see how much fun it is to be a part of the Mr. Food community! If you've ever searched for quick and easy recipes, fast dinner ideas, slow cooker recipes or anything in-between, let MrFood.com deliver triple-tested recipes straight from our Mr. Food Test Kitchen that are both easy to make and delicious to eat. Check out this free eBook and the MrFood.com site to draw tons of inspiration for your next holiday or meal!

Piece-by-Piece: 20 Easy Chicken Recipes for Drumsticks, Thighs and More (2024)

FAQs

Do chicken thighs take longer to cook than drumsticks? ›

Cooking times are different for each cut: whole legs take longer than thighs, drumsticks cook the fastest, and boneless chicken cooks more quickly than bone-in cuts. If you're substituting different chicken pieces than a recipe calls for, you'll need to adjust the time and use a thermometer.

How long to cook cut up chicken? ›

How Long to Cook Cubed Chicken Pieces in a Pan. Cubed chicken will cook in a pan in just 7 minutes. I like to give them a good sear on the first side, then flip and cook until the internal temperature reaches 165F, about 3 additional minutes.

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400? ›

I recommend baking the chicken thighs at 400 degrees for less time to ensure the chicken thighs stay nice and juicy, vs baking for longer at 350 degrees and running the risk of drying them out.

Do you bake chicken thighs covered or uncovered? ›

Baking uncovered helps the skin to get crispy. To get the skin extra crispy, you can broil the chicken during the last few minutes of baking. Be sure to use a broiler-safe baking dish. Bake chicken thighs skin side up and do not flip or move the chicken as it bakes.

When baking chicken do you cover it with foil? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

What part of the chicken takes the longest to cook? ›

Legs and thighs are the pieces that take the longest to cook by themselves. Weight: 4 to 8 oz. Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes per side if grilled; 40 to 50 minutes if roasted or simmered in a liquid.

Is it better to cut chicken then cook or cook then cut? ›

After your chicken breasts are done cooking, let them rest for at least half the time that you cooked them for before slicing into them. This will ensure that the breasts stay super juicy and flavorful, and that they're fully cooked. Trust me, waiting the few extra minutes pays off big time — every time.

Which part of chicken takes longest to cook? ›

Legs and thighs are the pieces that take the longest to cook by themselves. Weight: 4 to 8 oz. Cooking time: 10 to 15 minutes per side if grilled; 40 to 50 minutes if roasted or simmered in a liquid.

Do chicken thighs take longer to cook? ›

Dark meat, found in chicken thighs, is inherently richer and juicier than its white counterpart. This is due to the higher fat content and the presence of more connective tissue. Consequently, it's a culinary truth that dark meat requires more time to cook compared to leaner white meat.

Do chicken thighs on the bone take longer to cook? ›

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook quickly, in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Bone-in thighs, however, take a bit more time, between 25 and 30 minutes. Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thighs. They're finished cooking when the temperature reads 165°F.

Do chicken thighs cook longer? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Rob Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 6092

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (48 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Rob Wisoky

Birthday: 1994-09-30

Address: 5789 Michel Vista, West Domenic, OR 80464-9452

Phone: +97313824072371

Job: Education Orchestrator

Hobby: Lockpicking, Crocheting, Baton twirling, Video gaming, Jogging, Whittling, Model building

Introduction: My name is Rob Wisoky, I am a smiling, helpful, encouraging, zealous, energetic, faithful, fantastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.