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What I love about chicken thighs is that they’re super forgiving to cook. It makes it a great choice for both beginners and seasoned cooks.
Why Chicken Thighs Are Great for Instant Ramen
Chicken thighs are flavorful and tend to stay juicy, even if you accidentally overcook them a tiny bit. Since it is a darker meat, it has more fat. And we all know that fat equals flavor. They’re perfect for slicing and mixing into those hot ramen broths, soaking up all the deliciousness.
Different Ways to Prepare Chicken Thighs for Ramen
Pan-Sear: I usually keep the skin on so I have a nice crunch to my bite. These are pretty straightforward to cook in a non-stick skillet.
Boil: Cubing and boiling the chicken directly in the ramen water is a simple way to add flavor to your broth, especially if you’re not concerned about getting a crispy texture from the chicken.
Bake: For a more hands-off approach, baking chicken thighs can result in very tender and evenly cooked meat. Season and bake until just done. This method is great for when you have a lot of chicken thighs you want to cook all at once.
Grill: For a smoky flavor, quickly grill whole chicken thighs over high heat. The char adds another layer of deliciousness.
Saute: For a quick and easy way to add chicken directly into your noodles, cube the chicken thighs, season them well, and then quickly toss them in a hot skillet until cooked through.
Pictured above: Chef’s Cupboard Beef Flavored Ramen, Soft-Boiled Egg, Frozen Broccoli, Cubed and Sauted Chicken Thigh
Shredded/Pulled: Cook chicken thighs (by boiling, baking, or slow cooking), then shred them. This is great for mixing into the ramen, absorbing the broth, and is great for meal prepping.
Leftovers: Just adding leftover chicken thighs is a quick and easy way to level up your noodle bowl.
My Pro Tip
Tip
If you’re pan-searing with the skin on, I highly recommend using a splatter screen while cooking! This will help contain any grease splatters and make cleanup much easier.
My Instant Ramen Suggestions
Let me know your favorite ways to add chicken thighs to your noodles!
