I’ve been wanting to make cupcake chicken again and Aldi had chicken thighs on sale for .79/pound. I divided it up into two packs of six thighs and kept out the seven smaller ones for cooking this week. The two packs of six are vacuum sealed and in the freezer. Each time I fix six, that’s two separate meals of one thigh for me and two thighs for Vince.
I got 19 chicken thighs for $7.88. That’s about 41.5¢ per thigh, so when I fix three thighs; two for Vince and one for me, our meat is costing us $1.25 total! Can’t beat that.
For the cupcake chicken, I need boneless thighs but with the skin still on. I can find boneless, skinless thighs but not boneless with the skin so I remove the bones. The first time I did it, I thought it was quite a job but now that I’ve done it a few times, it takes no time at all and I don’t mind doing it.
Boneless Chicken Thighs
Pull the skin back, cutting if necessary, but leave it attached on the side where it’s mostly attached anyway (before you start pulling it back).
Seasoned Chicken
Season the meat and the wrong side of the skin.
Cajun Red Head
Slap Ya Mama has been my seasoning of choice for so many years but this Cajun Redhead has moved into the favorite slot. It helps that it’s apparently made and distributed out of my home town, Lake Charles, LA. Their shipping costs are outrageous but I love it enough that I paid it because I’m almost out and don’t know when I’ll be back in Lake Charles. They also have a wild game seasoning so I got some of that for Chad.
Anyway . . back to the chicken . .
Rolled Up Thigh
Once it’s seasoned, I roll it all up, place it in an aluminum throw away type pan and add more seasoning. In addition to the Cajun Redhead, I add salt and black pepper. I am using this aluminum pan for the third time but I hate getting my good pans all smoked up.
Ready for the Smoker
This is on the menu for Tuesday and I can hardly wait.
Sherrill Pecere says
It really does look good but the chicken prep looks like too much work for me (not to mention the fact that I don’t have a smoker!! HA). Baby boy turns 31 in a couple of days so we’re going to a Thai (gag) place tonight to celebrate. Hope I can find something edible as I really don’t like Thai but it’s his birthday!!
Pat in Nebraska says
I don’t care much for Thai either. Unless there’s Goa Chicken, then I’m happy. Watch out for the cardamon pod though, if there’s one. You don’t want to munch that ’cause it’s a bit like biting down on a clove or bay leaf.
Dar in MO says
The chicken cupcakes look good. How long do you cook them? I have never used just thighs in a chicken dish. Want to see what they look like when you are finished smoking/cooking them.
Nelle Coursey says
Sounds good!
Linda in NE says
I can’t help wondering whenever I see that label on chicken. Hatched, raised & harvested in the U.S., but processed here or somewhere like China? With this country’s crazy trade treaties I just can’t help but have questions. And I’m short on trust! LOL
dezertsuz says
Looks very good, almost enough to get me to try it, but without the spicy hot stuff. =)