How to Microwave Chicken Thighs: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking for a quick and easy way to cook chicken thighs?

Did you know that you can cook them in your microwave?

Yes, microwaving chicken is a great way to save time and effort while still producing perfectly cooked and juicy chicken.

This post will provide a step-by-step guide on how to microwave chicken thighs, along with the benefits, precautions, factors affecting cooking time, expert tips, advantages and disadvantages of microwaving chicken.

Why You Should Consider Microwaving Chicken Thighs

Microwaving is one of the quickest ways of cooking food. It is the perfect solution when you are in a hurry or don’t have access to stovetops or ovens. When it comes to microwaving chicken thighs specifically:

Benefit 1: It’s Time-Saving

Microwaved boneless skinless chicken thighs take just under five minutes to cook whereas oven-baked versions can take as much as 40 minutes. When we consider the time spent preheating the oven and waiting for it to cool down later on this saves quite a bit of time.

Benefit 2: It’s Convenient

With microwaved chicken recipes, all you need is your microwave-safe dish with the seasoned meat inside. That’s it – no pots, pans or complicated cooking process required!

Benefit 3: Healthy Dishes Are Possible

When done correctly, microwaved chicken can be tender and juicy which makes it perfect for healthy diet plans.

Step-by-Step Guide on How To Microwave Chicken Thighs

Here’s how you can create delicious boneless skinless chicken thighs in microwave:

1) Prep Your Chicken

Remove any excess fat from each thigh and lightly salt them according to taste.

2) Microwave Your Chicken

Place your prepared raw boneless skinless chicken into a microwaveable dish. Poke the chicken with a fork a few times before putting it into the microwave. If you want, you can add some herbs, spices or even a sauce on top of your chicken in the dish. Cover with a lid to maintain moisture while cooking.

Microwave on high for six minutes if using two boneless chicken thighs and then let it rest in the microwave for an additional minute while it continues to cook as well as cool down.

3) Check If The Chicken Is Cooked

Gently pierce your cooked boneless skinless chicken thigh meat with a knife and make sure there is no pink or blood present – this confirms that it is well done.

If you have just reheated cooked chicken in the microwave, heat it between sixty and ninety seconds and check internal temperature to ensure that needed temperature has reached.

Precautions for Microwaving Chicken Thighs

Before microwaving any food item including microwaving chicken thighs be aware of these precautions:

• Ensure that your meat is not frozen when placing in the microwave; allow enough time to defrost if required.
• It’s wise not to use aluminum foil or melamine crockery when microwaving because they react intensely inside microwave ovens creating hot spots which can cause burns.
• Always avoid putting plastic wrap directly onto microwaved foods, especially hot foods because melting plastic can create toxic fumes.

Factors Affecting Cooking Time

Microwave settings vary depending on factors including;

• Microwave power rating
• Weight of the boneless skinless chicken thighs being cooked
• Size or quantity of other food items sharing the turntable at that time

Expert Tips for Perfectly Microwaving Chicken Thighs

Here are some expert tips to help you achieve perfection every time:

Tip 1: Get The Timing Right

When heating boneless skinless chicken thighs in your microwave oven, always make sure you cook them long enough to reach an internal temperature of 75°C. Different oven powers and weights of chicken can require different cooking times although generally three to five minutes is a good starting point.

Tip 2: Season Your Chicken Before Microwaving

Instead of seasoning cooked boneless skinless chicken, try seasoning it before microwaving for better results. When your raw meat is properly seasoned before heating, the flavor tends to permeate through making it tastier.

Tip 3: Let Your Meat Rest

Resting your meat after microwaving will let the residual heat generate more cooking that broadens the heat distribution all around the boneless skinless chicken thighs creating an even result overall.

Advantages of Microwaving Chicken Thighs

Apart from what we’ve mentioned earlier on, there are additional advantages of cooking boneless skinless chicken thighs in a microwave:

• Cooking uniformly compared to using other methods which may end up with some parts undercooked or overcooked.
• Does not require preheating unlike when baking or grilling
• Fewer pots and pans needed meaning less clean-up time

Disadvantages of Microwaving Chicken Thighs

Even though microwave ovens are versatile kitchen equipment and very convenient to use there are still some drawbacks associated with microwaved meals:

• The browning effect that gives chicken its attractive golden color cannot be achieved using only a microwave.
• The texture and taste may differ from conventionally cooked dishes.

Frequently Asked Questions about Microwaving Chicken Thighs

Can I use frozen boneless and skinless chicken thighs in microwave?

No, avoid placing frozen meats directly into a microwave as this can give rise to uneven heating leading to undercooking while other parts burns. It ideal always thaw completely before preparation.

How do I know if my boneless skinless chicken thigh is ready after microwaving?

Gently pierce the meat with a knife and make sure there is no pink or blood – this confirms that it is well done.

How long does it take to reheat cooked boneless skinless chicken thighs in a microwave?

Depending on the power ratings of your microwave, initial temperature of your cooked boneless skinless chicken thighs and portion size, reheat for sixty to ninety seconds.

Conclusion

Microwaving chicken thighs does not have to be an afterthought; It truly has its advantages especially when time-saving is top on mind.

It’s important to remember that while microwaving yields great results in terms of quickly getting food ready, you may need other cooking methods if you are looking for that nice crispy texture or for browning effects.

If you’re looking for quick meals then these microwaved boneless and skinless chicken recipes are definitely worth adding into your weekly meal plan rotation!