Ingredient substitution guide

Best substitutes for chicken thighs

Best swap for chicken thighs: Chicken drumsticks, 1:1 by piece; similar dark meat, adjust time slightly.

How we checked this: these swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes, and their ratios follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than one published chart. For exact amounts on many common swaps, see the NDSU and Colorado State University extension tables listed below. Editorial policy

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What can I use instead of Chicken Thighs?

The best swap for Chicken Thighs is Chicken Drumsticks, 1:1 by piece; similar dark meat, adjust time slightly. Another option is Chicken Breast, 1:1 by weight; leaner, reduce cook time to avoid drying out. The table below also lists Bone-In Chicken Thighs, 3 swaps in all.

All 3 swaps for chicken thighs, best first.
Swap	Ratio and notes
Chicken drumsticks	1:1 by piece; similar dark meat, adjust time slightly
Chicken breast	1:1 by weight; leaner, reduce cook time to avoid drying out
Bone-in chicken thighs	if recipe calls for boneless, debone first How to use it: If you leave the bone in, cook until a thermometer reads 165°F rather than by the boneless recipe's time.

Source and limits

These swaps come from the substitution list Well Stockd uses to match recipes to your kitchen, last updated November 3, 2026. We remove swaps known to be unsafe, but not every swap has been tested in a kitchen, and a swap is cooking guidance, not an allergen or nutrition equivalent. Check labels and what the recipe needs before substituting.

The ratios and usage notes follow ordinary kitchen practice rather than a single published chart. These two university extension tables list exact amounts for many common swaps:

Browse every ingredient and read how these swaps are sourced.

Buying more? Storage times for chicken thighs