Creamy salted butter infused with crunchy, savoury roasted chicken skin. It’s a decadent match for freshly baked bread and a rich finishing touch for steamed vegetables. Serve it at Christmas or Thanksgiving as an irresistible alternative to plain butter.
Nicky’s Notes
I first spotted this on a restaurant menu and was instantly curious. I love a good salted butter on artisan bread, but chicken skin butter takes that idea further — deep, savoury and utterly moreish.
I’ve made bacon butter before (also excellent), but chicken skin brings a different, richer depth of flavour. Spread it on warm bread and you’ll see why it’s addictive.
It’s also an easy way to elevate plain steamed vegetables. Stir a spoonful into hot veg and they’ll taste more indulgent — people will be asking for seconds.
I’m planning to make a batch for Christmas to serve with vegetables and to spread on turkey sandwiches the next day.
Table of Contents
- Nicky’s Notes
- 📋 What do we need?
- Pro Tip
- 🍽️ What to serve it with
- Recipes to use the chicken thigh meat
- 📺 Watch how to make it
- Chicken Skin Butter Recipe
- 🍲 More fantastic Chicken recipes
📋 What do we need?
- Chicken skin – taken from skin-on chicken thighs (see recipe suggestions below for using the thigh meat).
- Butter – unsalted butter is best so you can adjust the seasoning at the end.
Pro Tip
Leftover skin from a roast chicken works well too. Rescue the skin, season lightly and crisp it briefly in the oven before proceeding. You may not have tray fat to add, but the flavour will still be excellent.
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🍽️ What to serve it with
- Spread on warm bread
- Scoop with flatbreads
- Toss with steamed vegetables — sprouts, broccoli, carrots and green beans are especially good
- Use to gently sauté cabbage, kale or peas
I often save a little of the crumbled chicken skin to sprinkle on top when serving for extra crunch, but that’s optional.
Recipes to use the chicken thigh meat
We use skins from skin-on thighs to make the butter, so here are ideas for using the leftover thigh meat.
Asian
Salt and Pepper Chicken
Quick & Easy
Honey Garlic Chicken
Air Fryer
Air Fryer Chicken Karaage
Asian
Orange Chicken
Asian
Sticky Cashew Chicken
Dinner
Chicken Biryani
📺 Watch how to make it
Chicken Skin Butter Recipe
Ingredients
- skin from 4 chicken thighs
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 120 g (1 stick) unsalted butter room temperature
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (fan).
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Lay the chicken skins on a baking tray and season with the salt and pepper.
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Bake for 20–25 minutes until crisp. For an air fryer, cook at 180°C/350°F for 10–12 minutes, checking once or twice until crisp.
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Transfer the crisped skins to a wire rack to cool. Reserve any fat left on the tray in a small bowl.
-
Beat the butter in a bowl with a wooden spoon or electric whisk until light and creamy.
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When cooled, pulse the skins in a food processor until they resemble fine breadcrumbs, then fold them into the butter with 1 tablespoon of the reserved chicken fat (save any extra fat for roasting potatoes).
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Taste and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed (an extra ¼ tsp salt can help if serving over vegetables). Serve immediately or chill to firm up.
Notes
Making ahead:
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Remove about an hour before serving to soften.
Butter log:
To make a butter log, shape the mixed butter into a 2.5 cm (1″) diameter sausage on clingfilm, roll to even it, refrigerate until firm, then slice into rounds to serve.
Airfryer method:
Season skins and air fry at 180°C/350°F for about 12 minutes, checking for crispness.
Leftover roast chicken skin:
If using leftover roast skin, re-season and crisp briefly in the oven before using. You won’t have tray fat to add, but the butter will still be tasty.
Optional additions:
- Add chopped thyme or rosemary leaves when mixing.
- Stir in lemon zest or a pinch of dried sage.
- Mix in roasted garlic or a small amount of garlic powder for extra depth.
Nutritional info is approximate, per tablespoon. Calorie estimates assume an average chicken skin calorie range; values will vary by portion size and specific ingredients.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is approximate and should be used as a guide only.
This Chicken Skin Butter recipe was first posted in Nov 2022 and has since been updated with improvements.
🍲 More fantastic Chicken recipes
One Pot
Garlic Butter Chicken Pasta
Street Food
Chicken Souvlaki
Chicken
Cheesy Chicken and Bacon Pasty
Asian
Crispy Chilli Chicken
Asian
Chicken Adobo
Chicken
Chicken in Creamy Cider Sauce
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