Chicken Legs: Frequently Asked Questions + Storage Tips

How were chicken legs originally used?

Chicken legs were originally a less expensive alternative to a more expensive chicken cut: the breast. The white meat breast was thought to be more elegant and refined, though many chefs agree that it lacks flavor. 

Chicken legs are dark meat, which intensifies their flavor and stands up to the stronger flavors. So although the 1980s saw the majority of US chicken legs frozen and exported around the world, they are now a cheap and effective bbq staple in the United States.

How are chicken legs made?

Chicken legs are created when a chicken carcass is “quartered.” This then gives a butcher two breasts and two chicken legs. The leg is removed cleanly at the hip joint via the ball and socket, like any poultry. This enables the skin to stay cleanly intact on the breasts. The chicken foot will always be removed. The chicken leg can remain whole or divided into the chicken thigh and chicken drumstick at this point.

What is the shelf life of chicken legs?

It is recommended that any raw chicken product be stored in the fridge and remain there for no longer than two days. However, you could extend the shelf life of chicken legs by freezing them.

How do you pick chicken legs at the grocery store?

When looking at chicken legs, they will always be darker in color than chicken breasts. Chicken legs will be a deeper pink color as they are dark meat and brown once cooked, not white like a chicken breast. Look for clean cuts at the joints and blood-free markings. The skin covering the chicken legs will be white and wrinkled and should be featherless.

When you’re ordering chicken legs with Instacart, share these tips with your shopper to ensure you get the freshest chicken legs possible. 

How to store chicken legs

If you want to store raw chicken legs in your fridge, it is always advised that you store them in a well-sealed container or bag and on a low shelf. This way, if they do drip, they are not dripping chicken juices and potentially harmful bacteria all over everything else in your fridge.

Chicken legs can also be frozen or canned to preserve them past their fresh shelf life. This will allow you to stock up on chicken legs when they’re on sale. 

How to tell if chicken legs are bad

As with any chicken cut, sight and smell are crucial to knowing whether chicken legs are bad. If your chicken legs are smelling off or have a green or grey coloring, you should throw them away immediately. They may also start to produce a sticky liquid. Even if none of these signs are apparent when chicken legs are in their raw form, you may notice acidic or sweet smells, not commonly associated with chicken, when you are cooking them. If this is the case, you should discard them. 

What can I substitute for chicken legs?

The most common substitute for chicken legs is turkey legs. This is because they look similar and taste similar. But there are other pros to turkey legs that many people are drawn to. These include lower in fat, higher in protein, cheaper to buy, and consumers getting more meat for their money.

Buy chicken legs for your next cookout

Chicken legs, be it chicken thighs or chicken drumsticks, are a much tastier and cheaper alternative to chicken breast and make an easy to cook and serve protein for your family dinner or a cookout. The beautiful brown meat is succulent, responds well to seasonings, and has to be one of every family’s favorites on the bbq.

Get all your cookout supplies, from the chicken and burgers to salads and desserts, delivered to your door with Instacart. Place your order, and a professional shopper will select the items and deliver them to your door. 

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