I Just Learned the Best Way to Cook Chicken Thighs—and I’m Never Going Back

I firmly believe that chicken thighs are an underrated cut of meat—sure, they may not have the same volume or variability as chicken breasts, but there are just certain situations where dark meat tastes better. Plus, chicken thighs cost less, are nearly impossible to overcook and dry out thanks to their fat content, and don’t require a ton of extra steps to ensure their unbelievable juiciness. Even when I’m trying out a new recipe for the first time or making something up as I go along, there is at least comfort in knowing that the chicken itself will turn out better than fine. 

But maybe you feel differently. Maybe you want deeper flavor and more intense juiciness from your chicken thighs, or even just want to get dinner on the table faster. Meet the tiger cut, the foolproof technique for juicier, more flavorful, and all-around better chicken thighs. 

What Is the Tiger Cut and Why Does It Work

The tiger cut is a technique involving parallel cuts on chicken quarters. The deep parallel cuts have a threefold purpose: they help flavor penetrate the meat, reduce cook time, and even keep chicken thighs and quarters juicy. It’s especially useful for baked chicken thighs and quarters—in other words, it gives even the blandest preparation a good dose of flavor. 

How To Cut Tiger Chicken

1. Using a sharp knife, make bone-deep cuts every quarter-inch from halfway up the chicken leg to the end of the thigh. If you don’t have an entire chicken quarter, you can also use the tiger cut on a bone-in chicken thigh with the skin on. 
2. Then, just proceed as normal. In this recipe’s case, that means sprinkling on a homemade seasoning salt and refrigerating it overnight to ensure the flavor gets deep into the meat.
3. When you’re ready to cook, roast your chicken until it’s crispy, the juices are clear and any pinkness near the bone is gone—you want the thickest part of the chicken to be at 165 degrees F. Then, use those pan drippings and make a pan gravy to add even more flavor.

Get the Recipe: Tiger Chicken