How to Microwave Chicken Thighs
Prep Time
2 minsCook Time
9-10 minsFree Time
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Cooking whole chicken thighs in the microwave is a fantastic way to keep them juicy and flavorful. This method makes the chicken tender and delicious, perfect for serving with whole grains or a side of steamed veggies. The flavorful stock that collects at the bottom of the dish is great for adding extra flavor to rice, creating a complete and aromatic meal with ease.
Missing that crispy skin? Fry up the cooked thighs in a hot pan or finish them under the broiler for added texture. You can also try finishing them over a hot grill for 1-2 minutes per side.
This recipe calls for bone-in chicken thighs. If you prefer boneless, skinless thighs, lower the cooking time by 2-3 minutes depending on their size.
All of Anyday’s recipes are tested (and retested!) in many different microwave and home kitchens to make sure they work—, and work well. Unless specified otherwise, all recipes should be cooked at full power.
What You’ll Need
What You’ll Need
The Medium Shallow Dish
The Medium Deep Dish
The Anyhand Mitts
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in thighs
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then place the thighs in an Anyday dish and pierce the skin all over with a fork.
- Cover with the lid (knob lifted).
- Cook in the microwave at Power Level 6tooltip for 9-10 minutes, or until the meat is firm and cooked through. Make sure the internal temperature reads at least 165°F.
- If the chicken is not fully cooked, add 2-3 more minutes at the same power level until done.
Serving suggestions & tips
- Tortilla filling: Shred and season with chili powder, lime juice, and cilantro.
- Honey mustard: Brush with honey mustard and finish under the broiler.
- Ginger soy: Mix with soy sauce, grated ginger, and fresh scallion. Enjoy over rice or charred bok choy.
- Buffalo: Toss with buffalo sauce and melted butter. Serve with ranch or blue cheese dressing and a side of veggies.
Recipe notes
- Poking holes into the surface of the chicken will allow moisture to escape. Otherwise, you may hear loud popping sounds as the chicken cooks. Do not skip this step if you’re cooking chicken straight from the fridge.
- You can cook unthawed frozen drumsticks. Simply follow the directions in the recipe and add 2-4 more minutes depending on size and amount.
- Frozen chicken cooks better when the pieces are frozen independently and not in a block. If the chicken is frozen together, add more time at the same power level.
- If using the Extra Large dish, you may need extra time to compensate for the larger volume or increase the power level by one.
- Don’t want to lower your power level? You can still microwave chicken thighs! Check the chart below for cooking times suggested for full power.
- Microwave ovens vary, even with the same wattages. Adjust cooking times as needed.
Microwave Match Up: Chicken Thighs
See for yourself— microwaving chicken thighs is simply faster, start to finish.
| Appliance | Cook Time |
|---|---|
| Microwave in an Anyday dish | 9-10 mins |
| Grill* | 25-30 mins |
| Stovetop* | 25-30 mins |
| Instant Pot (Pressure Cooker)* | 20 mins |
All You Need to Know About Microwaving Chicken Thighs
How long does it take to cook chicken thighs in the microwave?
| Ingredient | Power Level | Cook Time |
|---|---|---|
| 2 bone-in thighs | 6 | 9-10 mins |
| 4 bone-in thighs | 6 | 12-14 mins |
| 6 bone-in thighs | 6 | 14-16 mins |
| 8 bone-in thighs | 7 | 17-18 mins |
It typically takes around 3-5 minutes to cook bone-in chicken thighs in the microwave. To tell when the chicken is cooked through, look for white (not pink) meat that is cooked through. The chicken should be juicy with no pink areas. You can also use a meat thermometer; make sure the inside of the chicken registers at least 165°F.
Can you cook frozen chicken thighs in the microwave?
Cooking chicken from frozen is very easy! Just make sure the pieces are broken apart and not stuck together in one block. When cooking from frozen, we always recommend lowering the power level. It adds a few extra minutes of cooking time, but it’s necessary to defrost and cook without drying out the meat.
When cooking chicken thighs from frozen, consider microwaving them in a flavorful sauce, such as a store-bought curry. When you store foods in the freezer, there’s always a chance that the meat has dried out. When simmering something flavorful, you won’t notice the difference!
Should you remove the chicken skin before cooking in the microwave?
You can keep the chicken skin on when cooking in the microwave if you enjoy the flavor and texture it adds to the dish. Many people find that leaving the skin on enhances the flavor of their chicken. Just know that to get the skin crispy, you will need to finish the chicken in the oven or on the stove!
Why do I need to pierce the surface of the chicken before cooking?
The cooking process makes the molecules of water in the chicken heat up very quickly. This creates steam vapor, which can make loud noises as it escapes the protein. Piercing the surface of the chicken with a fork all over will reduce this noise.
How to freeze cooked chicken?
To freeze microwaved chicken, first, cook the chicken as desired. Remove thigh meat from the bones and discard skins. Allow to cool completely and transfer to an airtight container or freezer bag in a single layer. Freeze in an air-tight container for up to 2 months.
