Alex Guarnaschelli 'Gravitates' Towards This Cut Of Chicken For Unbeatable Flavor

When you're making a chicken dish, you likely reach for boneless, skinless chicken breast to get started. While that certainly can be a good fit for many recipes when it's done well, it's far from your only option. Chef and Food Network personality Alex Guarnaschelli tends to gravitate toward chicken thighs when she's making a chicken dish.

"I will admit that I gravitate toward chicken thighs," the chef revealed in an interview with People. "They have that bit of fat and a thick layer of skin that adds great flavor and insulation for searing and braising." She went on to share a recipe for her favorite chicken that includes a ton of super-flavorful components like coconut milk, grated ginger, and a heavy helping of garlic.

We totally agree with Guarnaschelli — chicken thighs pack a ton of flavor, and they're far more forgiving than chicken breast. Like Guarnaschelli mentioned, the thick skin protects the interior of chicken thighs from drying out, which means no one will be the wiser if they're overcooked (we've even found that a little extra time in the oven seriously helps the skin crisp up).

If you're trying chicken thighs for the first time, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind to create a tender, flavorful dish. Grilled chicken thighs are a fantastic way to make your taste buds dance, and getting them right is super easy. The thick layer of skin that Alex Guarnaschelli mentioned means chicken thighs can stand direct heat on the grill. If you're cooking indoors, you'll likely find that cooking crispy chicken thighs in the oven is easier than pan-frying them. Simply place them on a wire baking rack so the excess fat can drip away as they cook, and you'll be left with crispy, crunchy, flavorful chicken thighs in less than an hour.

The fat that naturally exists in chicken thighs makes them super flavorful, and they can taste great when seasoned simply with salt and pepper. If you'd like to ramp up the flavor, however, you've got options. You can follow a recipe like Guarnaschelli's go-to and revel in the scent of garlicky chicken thighs roasting in the oven, or you try a simple marinade (honey soy marinated baked chicken thighs are especially delicious) to lock in flavors long before you start the baking or grilling process. No matter what cooking, seasoning, or marinating method you choose, don't be surprised if you find yourself gravitating toward chicken thighs more often, à la Guarnaschelli, once you give them a try.