These 69 Chicken Thigh Recipes Have Us Switching To The Dark Side
We could never give up our fave weeknight dinner workhorse—boneless, skinless chicken breasts—but sometimes, we just gotta have chicken thighs. The reason? Chicken thighs have just a little more fat, and as we all know, fat = flavor. Plus, is there anything more delicious than crispy chicken skin? If you're looking for a no-fail weeknight dinner, trust us on this one: Swapping chicken thighs in lieu of chicken breasts is the surefire way to guarantee a winner of a chicken dinner. Pinky promise, you won't be disappointed.
New to chicken thighs? Well, they're about to be on your dinner menu all year round. Perfect for summer recipes to eat in the sun (like our garlicky Greek chicken, our spicy coconut grilled chicken, or our Peruvian-style chicken with green sauce), AND rich enough for cozy soups and curries (like our one-pot Greek chicken chili, our cider glazed chicken thighs, or our hot honey chicken & Brussels) to settle into when the cold weather comes in, chicken thighs make pretty much everything better. Unsure of how to cook chicken thighs? No stress! They're essentially impossible to mess up. Even if you're working with skinless, boneless thighs, the slight fattiness of thighs makes bland, dry chicken a thing of the past. Add a bomb chicken marinade, and you're basically halfway to FlavorTown.
The best part about many of these recipes? They couldn't be faster or easier! From slow-cooker life-savers to air-fryer dreams to sheet-pan heroes, these recipes will save you time AND cleanup on those busy weeknights, without the babysitting often required by persnickety chicken recipes. While many of these skillet dishes are complete all on their own (dinner and sides in one!), these recipes also go perfectly with a variety of easy vegetable sides or fluffy rice to sop up all of the irresistible sauces.
Chicken & Broccoli
This fast and easy one-pot chicken and broccoli recipe is coated in a sweet and savory sauce with plenty of ginger and garlic for a weeknight dinner that beats take-out. This dish comes together in 20 minutes with minimal prep work too. Win win!
Get the Chicken & Broccoli recipe.
Butter Chicken
This chicken dinner uses deeply flavored chicken thighs, simmered in an ultra-silky and aromatic sauce of tomatoes, cream, and cashews. The cashews lend a buttery nuttiness and great texture to the sauce in this recipe, but blanched almonds would also work well. For the ultimate weeknight dinner, spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with warm naan.
Get the Butter Chicken recipe.
BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken
BBQ sauce and chicken are an undeniable classic combo that hits the mark every single time. No matter the season, BBQ chicken is a clear #winner winner chicken dinner. Here’s how we put together an easy sheet-pan dinner with juicy chicken, loads of sweet–smoky flavor, and plenty of vegetables to complete the meal.
Get the BBQ Sheet-Pan Chicken recipe.
Chicken Noodle Soup
Chicken noodle soup is one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods, and we definitely took that to heart when creating this recipe. Chunks of juicy chicken mingle with carrots, celery, and tender egg noodles in a deep, savory broth for a soup that will transport you right back to Grandma’s table after just one spoonful.
Get the Chicken Noodle Soup recipe.
Chicken Scarpariello
Chicken scarpariello packs a real punch of flavor without much effort. The dish is made of braised chicken thighs and hot (or sweet!) sausage swimming in a vinegary, kind of spicy broth. Serve it over rice or alongside some roasted potatoes and sit down to your favorite meal.
Get the Chicken Scarpariello recipe.
One-Pot Greek Chicken Chili
Featuring tender pieces of dark meat chicken, creamy white beans, and tender veggies, this cozy Greek-inspired chili is the perfect filling-but-not-too-heavy dinner for those rainy April nights. Flavored with a bouquet of hearty herbs, this stew is easy to throw together in one pot for minimal mess and maximum flavor.
Get the One-Pot Greek Chicken Chili recipe.
Coq Au Vin
Coq au vin (or rooster with wine) is a classic French dish that isn't as complicated as it sounds. In it, chicken is braised in a silky wine sauce and finished off with butter for the most perfect sauce. Use a nice red wine here—even better if it's from Burgundy!
Get the Classic Coq Au Vin recipe.
Chicken Dijon
In the vein of chicken scallopini and our fan fave one-pan chicken & gnocchi, this dish is an ultra-creamy affair with simple seasoning, best if served over cooked rice, angel hair pasta, or crusty sourdough bread so that you have something to soak up every last bit of deliciousness.
Get the Chicken Dijon recipe.
Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
We love when a dish’s prep is simple and fast; this sheet-pan chicken recipe is the perfect example. If you roast the sweet potatoes as indicated, your gift = creamy centers and crispy edges, enhanced by jammy red onions. Using bone-in thighs guarantees super-tender chicken too!
Get the Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken & Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Chicken & Dumplings
This easy recipe is perfect on a cold night when you just need a bowl of creamy comfort food, but it's also simple enough to make when you don't feel like making anything. If you want an even easier route, we have a great slow-cooker chicken & dumplings too!
Get the Chicken & Dumplings recipe.
Brown Stew Chicken
Brown stew chicken might seem like a snooze of a name for a recipe, but don’t be fooled—Jamaica’s signature marvel of a dish offers a galaxy of flavors that explains its massive fan base on the island and among the country’s expats.
Get the Brown Stew Chicken recipe.
Cacio E Pepe Chicken
A popular pasta dish from Rome, the name literally translates to cheese and pepper. We thought that pasta shouldn’t have all the fun, so why not chicken-fy it?!
Get the Cacio E Pepe Chicken recipe.
Red Curry Chicken Thighs & Rice
Aside from the garam masala here, this dish gets most of its flavor from a Thai-style curry paste that’s spiked with extra ginger, garlic, and lemongrass, then mellowed out with tomato sauce, brown sugar, and coconut milk to create a well-rounded sauce that’s perfect for spooning over fluffy rice.
Get the Red Curry Chicken Thighs & Rice recipe.
Chicken Shawarma Bowls
Meal prepping doesn’t need to be complicated, and these chicken shawarma bowls prove that. The longest step in the recipe is to let the chicken marinate, which allows you time to cut all your veggies. Win!
Get the Chicken Shawarma Bowls recipe.
Greek Lemon-Butter Chicken & Smashed Potatoes
Smashed potatoes and an herby feta and olive topping lend an exciting spin to beloved lemon-butter chicken. In this recipe, an extra-crispy texture on the potatoes and a briny herbal finish (thanks olives!) amplifies all the classic flavors without taking away from the goodness of the original recipe.
Get the Greek Lemon-Butter Chicken & Smashed Potatoes recipe.
Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers)
Yakitori (Japanese for "grilled chicken") is one of the oldest and most popular traditional Japanese dishes. Though you'll often find it served from flat tops by street vendors, yakitori is actually pretty easy to make at home too.
Get the Yakitori (Grilled Chicken Skewers) recipe.
Cider Glazed Chicken Thighs
Don't let chicken breasts have all the fun! Chicken thighs are super flavorful, easy to cook, and SO delicious with sweet potatoes and apples. Try it for dinner any night this fall.
Get the Apple Cider Glazed Chicken recipe.
Tequila-Lime Chicken Thighs
We can’t think of a better reason to enjoy a margarita than with these tequila chicken thighs. With a sauce inspired by the classic cocktail (seriously), you’ll also have the ingredients on hand to mix one up while you cook and dine on this easy-to-make weeknight dinner.
Get the Tequila-Lime Chicken Thighs recipe.
Za'atar Sheet-Pan Chicken
We’ve made a lot of great sheet-pan dinners, but this za’atar chicken recipe is a new favorite. Bone-in chicken thighs, baby potatoes, broccoli, and red onion are all tossed in a simple za’atar marinade, roasted to crispy, schmaltzy perfection, then topped with creamy tahini sauce to finish it off.
Get the Za'atar Sheet-Pan Chicken recipe.
Creamy Chicken Marsala Gnocchi Soup
Creamy chicken Marsala and French onion gnocchi soup are already at the top of our easy weeknight dinner list, so it's only right to combine them. The result is a hearty, Marsala-spiked soup packed with pan-fried chicken, sautéed mushrooms, and pillowy gnocchi.
Get the Creamy Chicken Marsala Gnocchi Soup recipe.
Peruvian-Style Chicken With Green Sauce
Our ever-popular Peruvian roast chicken will forever be one of our favorites…unless we need to get dinner on the table ASAP. If that's you this January, lean on chicken thighs instead for that smoky, garlicky chicken with its crispy skin, in less than half the time.
Get the Peruvian-Style Chicken With Green Sauce recipe.
Apple & Cranberry Roasted Chicken
This skillet combines chicken thighs with apples and cranberries—the perfect duo of sweet and tangy for this fall dinner. Also, because we've already got Thanksgiving on the mind, this dish also has a tasty gravy to give holiday vibes without having to prepare a whole feast.
Get the Apple & Cranberry Roasted Chicken recipe.
Chicken Satay
Satay, considered to be a national dish of Indonesia, is a popular Southeast Asian street food that usually involves a marinated meat being skewered and grilled, then served with a simple saucy dip. We paired this dish with an irresistible peanut sauce that is absolutely essential.
Get the Chicken Satay recipe.
Grilled Persian Chicken
We've yogurt-marinated many proteins in our time, all of which are beloved because when the meat is cooked, the remaining yogurt caramelizes and creates a prize-worthy crust. Up next? Persian-spiced grilled chicken with tomatoes and lemons, served with tons of fresh herbs over fluffy jasmine rice.
Get the Grilled Persian Chicken recipe.
Lemony Chicken & Potatoes With Feta
Freshen up a classic dish, lemon chicken and potatoes, by spooning the most flavorful olive, almond, and parsley sauce over top. Prepared from the pan drippings, the sauce is so simple to make without getting out an extra pot. The best part? This entire recipe is made in just one dish, making dinner (and cleanup) easier than ever.
Get the Lemony Chicken & Potatoes With Feta recipe.
Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken
The star of this popcorn chicken dish? The complex, delicious spice mix: five-spice heightened with some white pepper, Sichuan peppercorns, onion powder, and mildly spicy gochugaru.
Get the Taiwanese Popcorn Chicken recipe.
Tandoori Chicken
Though traditionally the chicken is grilled in a clay tandoor grill (hence the name), it’s possible to make it at home in your oven. The real standout in this timeless recipe is the use of a masala-yogurt marinade that coats the chicken throughout the cooking process, making it exceedingly juicy and extra flavorful.
Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.
One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo
Having easy, one-pan dinners in your back pocket is the key to looking like a hero come mealtime, especially on busy days. This dish is the perfect example: Chicken, orzo, spinach, and feta come together into a meal that’s quick enough for a weeknight, but beautiful enough for a dinner party.
Get the One-Pan Lemon Chicken & Orzo recipe.
Sheet Pan Citrus-Glazed Chicken
This easy chicken recipe is a one-pan wonder. Marinated thighs get roasted right alongside Brussels sprouts making it a low-effort meal with a very high reward. Reserve some of the marinade to brush over the chicken towards the end of baking. It makes a sweet, sticky, and downright irresistible glaze!
Get the Sheet Pan Citrus-Glazed Chicken recipe.
Grilled Chicken Street Tacos
What makes a taco a street taco? Besides being sold by a vendor right on the sidewalk, one of the main differences is the size of the tortilla. Street tacos are typically prepared by doubling up two smaller corn tortillas, making them easier to eat on the side of the street, in the car, anywhere!
Get the Grilled Chicken Street Tacos recipe.
Grilled Chicken Kebabs
The best part of the sweet glaze in this recipe? There's no need to cook anything—just whisk the ingredients together! Serve with some steamed rice or grilled corn and you've got a perfect, easy summer dinner.
Get the Grilled Chicken Kebabs recipe.
Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken)
Japanese chicken karaage is basically fried chicken, but with a twist (the meat is seasoned, then coated with flour). The word karaage (pronounced kah-raa-geh) refers to the Japanese method of frying, and these double-fried bites couldn't be more deliciously crispy!
Get the Karaage (Japanese Fried Chicken) recipe.
Slow-Cooker Garlic-Parmesan Chicken
With under 20 minutes of hands-on time, most of the cooking takes place in the slow-cooker while you are living your best life elsewhere.
Get the Slow-Cooker Garlic-Parmesan Chicken recipe.
Chicken Caesar Salad
You can't go wrong when it comes to a chicken Caesar salad, but if you ask us, this one puts all the others to shame. With a rich, tangy dressing, tender, roasted chicken thighs, crunchy croutons, and a snowfall of freshly grated Parm, this dish is nothing short of life-changing.
Get the Chicken Caesar Salad recipe.
Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs
Butter makes everything better—especially when it’s mixed with lemon zest, thyme, and oregano, then slathered on baked chicken. Bonus: It all comes together easily on ONE sheet pan.
Get the Sheet-Pan Lemon Butter Chicken Thighs recipe.
Skillet Chicken Cacciatore
After a long day, this dish is oh so comforting, not in the least because it all comes together in one pot. We love this served on its own with crusty bread for dipping, or garlic bread if you're feeling fancy.
Get the Skillet Chicken Cacciatore recipe.
One-Pan Green Chile Chicken & Rice
The rice here reminds us of the perfect cheesy and creamy filling for a burrito, while the green chiles add a slight pickled flavor to the dish, making it bright and kind of tangy. It’s a great meal when you're feeling lazy but craving something cozy and flavorful.
Get the One-Pan Green Chile Chicken & Rice recipe.
Char Siu Chicken Sandwiches
Every culture has its own uniquely delicious BBQ sauce, but Chinese char siu sauce is one of our favorites. Classically used to marinate pork belly for steamed buns, this sticky-sweet, umami-packed sauce is absolutely irresistible, no matter what you put it on (including these sandwiches!).
Get the Char Siu Chicken Sandwiches recipe.
Keto Bacon Chicken Thighs With Garlic Cream Sauce
We're amping up juicy, crispy chicken thighs in this keto dinner by cooking them in bacon fat and topping them in a mushroom Parmesan cream sauce. Bacon, mushrooms, cheese—need we say more?
Get the Keto Bacon Chicken Thighs With Garlic Cream Sauce recipe.
Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken & Sweet Potatoes
This easy-as-can-be weeknight dinner is a complete meal made on one sheet pan. If you roast the sweet potatoes as indicated, your gift = creamy centers and crispy edges, enhanced by jammy red onions. Using bone-in thighs pretty much guarantees super-tender chicken too.
Get the Sheet-Pan Harissa Chicken & Sweet Potatoes recipe.
Balsamic Basil Chicken
After marinating the chicken here, everything—including the veggie side!—comes together in one pan in less than 30 minutes. Call it another skillet chicken dinner win!
Get the Balsamic Basil Chicken recipe.
Jamaican Curry Chicken
If you’re craving that comforting chicken curry flavor that keeps you coming back for seconds and want to punch up the heat, this recipe is for you. Serve with some easy white or coconut rice, and wham, you’ll have a whole new spice for life.
Get the Jamaican Curry Chicken recipe.
Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken
Get these spicy coconut chicken thighs on the grill, you won’t regret it. They're wildly tender thanks to a tasty duo of coconut milk and tenderizing pineapple juice in the marinade.
Get the Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken recipe.
Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala
Our sheet-pan tikka masala is a fun way to enjoy a classic Indian dish, chicken tikka masala, at home in a slightly new (and easier!) way. It’s a foolproof way to get a whole dinner on the table using just a sheet pan.
Get the Sheet-Pan Tikka Masala recipe.
Chicken Shawarma
The secret to our fave homemade chicken shawarma? Marinate the chicken thighs overnight to infuse it with a mixture of shawarma spices, then roast it in the oven until it’s tender, juicy perfection. Paired with some toum or tahini sauce and a tomato cucumber salad, this is heaven in a wrap.
Get the Chicken Shawarma recipe.
Hot Honey Chicken & Brussels Sprouts
Looking to spice up your weeknight dinner rotation? Make hot honey chicken and Brussels sprouts. Featuring a simple glaze hacked from a store-bought condiment, this one-skillet meal promises maximum flavor with minimal fuss.
Get the Hot Honey Chicken & Brussels Sprouts recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Turns out the absolute best way to achieve the crispiest skin on chicken thighs is using your air fryer! The quick cook time achieves the crispiest, juiciest chicken that we devoured in mere minutes.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe.
One-Pan Chicken & Quinoa
We love the Tex-Mex spices in this easy healthy dinner; the chili powder and cayenne add a nice kick that the avocado and sour cream perfectly offset. Of course, feel free to use a little less of either spice if you prefer.
Get the One-Pan Chicken & Quinoa recipe.
Chicken Biryani
This recipe was inspired by the Hyderabadi-style of biryani, where rice and a curry filled with veggies and/or a protein are cooked separately, then layered and baked into an aromatic, harmonious, and hearty dish. Serve along side a fresh cucumber raita and a flavor-packed salad, and you will have one perfectly balanced meal.
Get the Chicken Biryani recipe.
Instant Pot Copycat Bourbon Chicken
If you were hanging out in malls in the '90s, you've likely been chased down in the food court to sample this delectable, perfectly sauced chicken thigh recipe on a toothpick. Now as an adult, you can make this dish at home in the convenience of the Instant Pot any time you like.
Get the Instant Pot Copycat Bourbon Chicken recipe.
Arroz Con Pollo
A one-pot wonder, this is the perfect weeknight dinner with leftovers that make fantastic lunches. If you'd rather use all chicken thighs instead of drumsticks, go ahead and swap them out!
Get the Arroz Con Pollo recipe.
Instant Pot Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is your favorite Indian take-out dish that you can now make faster than delivery. Full of flavor, this dish will become a weekly staple. Chicken thighs become extremely tender under all the sauce that you'll want to soak up with plenty of naan.
Get the Instant Pot Butter Chicken recipe.
Garlicky Greek Chicken
All it takes is a few basic ingredients to transform chicken thighs into an herby, garlicky dream. We paired this one-pan meal with roasted zucchini and asparagus, but you can can switch it up with whatever is in season that you have on hand.
Get the Garlicky Greek Chicken recipe.
Braised Chicken Thighs
These braised chicken thighs are no joke. They’re super flavorful, fall-off-the-bone tender, and thankfully you only need ONE pan to make them! We love to serve these thighs over fluffy white rice to soak up that delicious sauce, but we also think this would go great with some bok choy or roasted asparagus.
Get the Braised Chicken Thighs recipe.
Bacon Harvest Chicken Skillet
This easy chicken thigh recipe with bacon and Brussels sprouts comes together in one skillet, making it the perfect cozy dinner to make during fall and winter. Don't forget to toast a few good slices of sourdough bread to sop up all the delicious juices!
Get the Bacon Harvest Chicken Skillet recipe.
One-Pan Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato, Chicken & Gnocchi
We might seem gnocchi-crazed here at Delish, but can you blame us? In this simple one-pot supper, the gnocchi is cooked in a creamy sun-dried tomato sauce and paired with chicken thighs. What more could you want?
Get the One-Pan Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato, Chicken & Gnocchi recipe.
Teriyaki Chicken Thighs
You can use your favorite store-bought sauce for this recipe, but we also provide a really simple (and delicious) teriyaki sauce recipe made with sake, mirin, soy sauce, and sugar.
Get the Teriyaki Chicken Thighs recipe.
Harissa Grilled Chicken
We’re no strangers to the magic of harissa here—we've already stirred it into clams and aioli, and used it to spice up turkey breast and meatballs—and now we’re tapping it again for this easy, throw-together marinade for grilled chicken thighs. Not gonna lie, this chicken dinner is a surefire winner.
Get the Harissa Grilled Chicken recipe.
Lemon Butter Feta Chicken Pasta
Here, a creamy, rich pasta sauce with fresh lemon and tangy feta, plus juicy chicken thighs all come together in one pot for a very simple but satisfying meal. It’s the even easier version of everyone’s favorite baked feta pasta.
Get the Lemon Butter Feta Chicken Pasta recipe.
Crispy Balsamic Chicken
Crispy chicken thighs are surrounded by Brussels sprouts and a tangy balsamic sauce in this perfect fall dinner. It's quick, easy, and will make you want to cook a homemade dinner every night of the week!
Get the Crispy Balsamic Chicken recipe.
Chicken & Rice Casserole
Is there anything more comforting than a chicken & rice casserole? We actually don't think so. It's the type of recipe we turn to time after time again during the fall and winter, just like roast chicken or our tortellini soup.
Get the Chicken and Rice Casserole recipe.
Chicken Tikka Alfredo
This recipe marries two of our favorite creamy comfort foods, spicy chicken tikka masala and rich, garlicky fettuccine Alfredo. This match made in heaven is a creamy, unique dish that will be ready to serve up in just over an hour!
Get the Chicken Tikka Alfredo recipe.
One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera
Just when you thought pasta primavera was the king of spring comfort food, we’re dropping this one-pan chicken primavera. It it, crispy-skinned chicken thighs are roasted alongside spring veggies and topped with a confetti of goat cheese and herbs for a dinner that captures the promise of warmer days.
Get the One-Pan Crispy Chicken Primavera recipe.
Chicken Fricassée
The sauce in this dish is pure heaven—you'll want to pour it over everything. It might just rival the one in our Tuscan Butter Gnocchi, which is one of our most popular sauces ever.
Get the Chicken Fricassée recipe.
Baked Chicken Thighs
This recipe doubles as a blueprint for your own delicious chicken thigh creation! Switch up the citrus and herbs, add your favorite dry spices, or load it up with tons of garlic, shallots, or onions. Serve it up with some chimichurri for a flavor-picked dinner.
Get the Baked Chicken Thighs recipe.
Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken Thighs
Can't go wrong with honey balsamic! Pro tip: Because of the honey and the sugar content in the balsamic vinegar, the glaze can burn if left to caramelize on the grill for too long. To avoid this, we recommend moving your chicken around occasionally so that different parts of the thighs are hitting the grates.
Get the Honey Balsamic Grilled Chicken Thighs recipe.
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Thanks to a little slurry of flour and hot chicken broth or water, the gravy that comes with these chicken thighs is luxuriously smooth and full of chicken flavor. It's the best thing you can do with those magical chicken fat drippings!
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Thighs recipe.
Honey Mustard Chicken
The combo of Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, and spicy jalapeño all tossed in a sweet honey mustard sauce are sure put this in your weeknight chicken dinner rotation.
Get the Honey Mustard Chicken recipe.
Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs
Our secret? Baking the thighs at a high temp means less time spent in the oven with even better results. These thighs are great served with a big salad or some roasted potatoes.
Get the Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe.
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