Crispy Cracklin' Chicken Thighs Two Ways: Alone with side of veggies or Chinese Chicken Salad

This is Francie's favorite chicken. Crispy and delicious!
Serve it with veggies on the side or in Chinese chicken salad. Delicious!

Crispy Cracklin' Chicken Thighs:
https://nomnompaleo.com/post/74180911762/cracklin-chicken

Notes:
While this is easy, the chicken splatters like crazy when cooking. So get out your splatter guard if you have one. It might seem intimidating to cut the bone out of the thigh, but once you do it, it's actually easy. Read her tips and she has a video on her website showing you how to do it using kitchen shears. She also has a recipe for this chicken using the air fryer. I have tried both and I like it cooked in a pan better, but the air fryer is less messy.  For kids, serve it with roasted potatoes, their favorite green vegetable, or whatever easy side they like. For adults, or salad loving kids, use the chicken for Chinese chicken salad. So good! Most Chinese chicken salad recipes call for plain shredded chicken, but this crispy chicken is so much better. You can make the dressing from scratch according to the recipe, or to make life easier, just buy a jar of sesame/ginger dressing at the grocery store.

Chinese Chicken Salad:

FOR THE SALAD

4 c. shredded lettuce (romaine)

1 c. shredded red cabbage

1/2 c. jarred mandarin oranges, drained

1 instant ramen packet, crushed (flavor packet discarded) or store bought wonton strips salad toppers 

1/3 c. grated carrot

1-2 thinly sliced green onions

1/4 cup cilantro roughly chopped

1/4 c. sliced almonds

Sliced crispy chicken
Sesame seeds

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup soy sauce
2 tbsp toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup rice vinegar(adjust to taste for sharpness)
1/4 cup olive oil (or oil of choice)
1 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar 

Directions:

• While the chicken is cooking, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Taste the dressing on a piece of cabbage and adjust if desired.
• In a large bowl, combine the lettuce, cabbage, ramen, carrots, green onions, and cilantro.
• Pour in enough of the salad dressing to coat and toss well. Taste for seasoning and add more dressing if needed.
• Transfer the dressed greens to a serving platter and dot the salad with the mandarin oranges. Place sliced chicken on top of the salad
• When you’re ready to serve the Chinese Chicken Salad, sprinkle the toasted almonds and sesame seeds on top. Serve immediately!

**Additional optional toppings:

red pepper, radishes, cucumber, shelled edamame 

Modifications:
Low Carb: skip the ramen or wonton strips in the salad
Gluten Free: skip the ramen in the salad and use GF soy sauce
Vegan: eat the salad sans chicken. Add extra veggies
Pescatarian: eat the salad sans chicken. Throw on some shrimp or salmon.
Picky Kids: Don't push the salad. Just serve the chicken with whatever easy sides they enjoy