Chicken Leg Products

A chicken leg includes the lower leg, also called the drumstick, and the thigh. They're usually sold still attached with bones and skin, and people sometimes call them chicken leg quarters because one contains about a quarter of the meat of a whole chicken. Skinless, boneless chicken legs are available through Instacart, as well!

Chicken legs contain dark meat, meaning they have more blood vessels and fat content than white meat like chicken breasts. This makes chicken legs tender, juicy, and flavorful. They taste great fried or with a sauce, spice rub, or marinade, and you can serve them with many different side dishes.

You can buy fresh, precooked, or frozen chicken legs via Instacart! You can also choose a whole chicken or several drumsticks. You can find frozen dinners with deboned chicken legs cut into pieces and mixed with rice, vegetables, or pasta.

Raw chicken legs have white or off-white skin, and the meat should look pink and feel cold and firm. Chicken legs should be clean and odor-free, and there should be no excess liquid at the bottom of the container.

You should avoid any meat that looks discolored or has visible blemishes. You can keep raw chicken legs in your refrigerator for a few days, but you should use or freeze them as soon as possible for the best flavor. Look for fresh chicken legs with a sell-by date as far in the future as possible. When defrosting frozen chicken, put it in a bowl or on a plate to catch any extra moisture.

With side items, one chicken leg is enough to serve one or two people. Many people prefer grass-fed, organic chicken with no added antibiotics because it has more nutrients and fewer additives.

You can find recipes for chicken legs from all over the world, so it's easy to try them in lots of ways without getting bored. Whether you choose Chinese, American, Italian, Indian, French, or other cooking styles, chicken legs are easy to prepare, and their relatively high fat content makes them hard to overcook. Cooking legs without removing the skin first will add even more flavor. For easy finger food, serve drumsticks by themselves. You can use a sharp knife to separate the lower leg from the thigh before cooking.

To make sure you kill salmonella and other harmful bacteria, use a meat thermometer. Your chicken legs should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be safe to eat. Sear the skin to keep legs juicy and make sure that moisture stays in while cooking. To make chicken legs on your grill, add any marinades or sauces and let the legs sit on your counter for an hour or two before cooking. That way, they'll reach room temperature and cook more evenly.

Start grilling on high heat, and then turn the temperature down to medium when the skin becomes crispy and golden brown. After you remove them from the heat, let your chicken legs sit for at least a few minutes to finish cooking and cool down. Cover them with aluminum foil to help them retain moisture.