Ep 9. The Thighs Have It

In season 15, episode 9 of 30 Minute Meals, titled "The Thighs Have It," host Rachael Ray demonstrates how to prepare quick and delicious meals using chicken thighs as the main ingredient. The episode starts off with Rachael sharing tips on how to properly trim and prepare chicken thighs before cooking.

The first recipe she makes is a spicy chicken skillet, which involves searing chicken thighs in a cast-iron skillet and then adding onions, garlic, and bell peppers. She then adds canned tomatoes, chipotle pepper, and canned black beans to the skillet and simmers everything together until it's heated through and the flavors are well combined. The dish is then topped with chopped cilantro and served with tortilla chips.

Next up is a ginger-lemongrass chicken stir-fry, which Rachael explains can be made in one pot to save on dishes. She cooks the chicken thighs in a wok with coconut oil, lemongrass, and ginger, before adding chopped bok choy, snow peas, and red bell pepper. A sauce made from chicken stock, soy sauce, and rice vinegar is then added to the wok and the mixture is cooked until the vegetables are tender and the sauce has thickened. The stir-fry is served over rice and garnished with chopped scallions.

For the third recipe, Rachael prepares sesame-orange chicken thighs, which involves marinating the chicken in a mixture of soy sauce, orange zest, sesame oil, and garlic for at least 30 minutes. The chicken is then cooked on a grill or in a grill pan until charred and cooked through. The dish is served with a side of sesame noodles, made with spaghetti tossed in a sauce made from sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar and topped with sesame seeds and sliced scallions.

Lastly, Rachael makes fajita-style chicken tacos by sautéing chicken thighs with onions and peppers in a large skillet until the chicken is cooked through. She then adds a mixture of canned tomatoes, chili powder, cumin, and oregano to the skillet and continues cooking until the vegetables are tender and the flavors are well combined. The chicken mixture is served on warm tortillas and topped with avocado, sour cream, and lime wedges.

Throughout the episode, Rachael emphasizes the versatility of chicken thighs as an ingredient, and offers tips on how to switch up the spices and sauces to create different flavor profiles. She also stresses the importance of time management and using shortcuts, such as pre-chopped vegetables or canned ingredients, to make quick and easy meals without sacrificing flavor.

Overall, "The Thighs Have It" is a great episode for anyone looking to up their chicken game and learn some new recipes that can be made in under 30 minutes. Rachael Ray's enthusiasm and expertise in the kitchen make this episode both informative and entertaining to watch.