10+ Best Chicken Thigh Recipes

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Updated Dec 01, 2023

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When it comes to making the best dinners, I’m slightly obsessed with these chicken thigh recipes. From one-pan meals to classic baked chicken thighs, this tender cut of meat guarantees a juicy experience every time.

Six cooked chicken thighs with cilantro lime flavors in a fry pan.

5 Reasons to Love Chicken Thighs

Let’s squash the age old debate of which is better – chicken thighs vs chicken breasts? It’s not that one is better than the other, they’re just different. And both can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. But here’s five reasons why I do love a good chicken thigh recipe:

Incredibly Juicy and Crispy: Chicken thighs have more fat that chicken breasts – and that’s not a bad thing. It translates to more flavor and overflowing juiciness. Plus, the skin allows for a crispy golden outer layer.
Hard to Overcook: If you often end up with dry, bland, over-cooked chicken breasts, switch to chicken thighs. The darker meat will stay moist, even if you accidentally over cook it.
Economical: Bone-in chicken thighs are about 1/3 the cost of boneless skinless chicken breasts. That’s a huge savings when it comes to eating healthy on a budget and serving a large family.
Versatile: When it comes to grilling, searing, and braising chicken thighs are your best friend. They can handle high-heat and long cook times equally as well.

Easy & Healthy Chicken Thigh Recipes for Dinner

If you’re a fan of simple yet impressive dinners, keep reading. These chicken thigh recipes will show you how to roast, sear, and sauté thighs with the best sweet and savory rubs, marinades, and sauces.

Greek Sheet Pan Chicken

This all-in-one meal creates the juiciest chicken thighs and beautifully caramelized vegetables. Bonus – it makes for a great meal prep dinner!

Teriyaki Chicken

Who says you can’t have restaurant-quality teriyaki chicken right at home? With this easy homemade teriyaki sauce, steamed veggies, and a fresh bed of rice – a delicious dinner is served in just 20 minutes.

Chicken and rice in one pan garnished with lemon slices and parsley.

One Pan Chicken And Rice

Nothing beats easy one pan dinners, especially when they’re this good. This recipe shines bright with Mediterranean flavors and perfectly baked fluffy rice.

A casserole dish filled with honey mustard chicken thighs

Baked Honey Mustard Chicken

Don’t sleep on this herbed honey mustard marinade. It’s just what you need to jazz up a weeknight dinner with juicy chicken thighs!

Butter Chicken

This is Indian comfort food at its best! Juicy, marinated chicken thighs are smothered in a velvety, rich curry sauce. Then served with rice for the ultimate dinner combo.

BBQ Chicken

Come grilling season, this BBQ chicken is a quintessential cookout dish. Plus, I’ve got my secret homemade BBQ sauce to make with it!

Greek Lemon Chicken

This lemon herb marinade is what makes this Greek chicken recipe so satisfying! Plus, it’s super easy to make for the best weeknight dinner.

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

It’s time to skip the deep fryer and opt for these baked chicken thighs. Not only are they super tender, but they also have deliciously crispy skin. All thanks to the secret dried herb mix.

Cilantro Lime Chicken

Craving vibrant, bold flavors? These humble thighs are soaked in the best garlicky cilantro lime flavor, with a hint of sticky sweetness. Then, quickly seared in a pan for the perfect golden skin.

Balsamic chicken and Brussels sprouts on a sheet pan

Roasted Balsamic Chicken With Brussels Sprouts

Another delicious way to cook your chicken thighs is straight on a sheet pan. And this recipe uses a homemade balsamic glaze that perfectly coats the chicken, Brussels sprouts and diced onions.

This one pan, roasted basil chicken is an easy meal that's bursting with flavor. Red onions and sliced kumquats become deliciously sweet when roasted.

Basil Chicken With Kumquats

This is another one pan dish that really lets seasonal kumquats shine. When roasted, sliced kumquats become deliciously sweet and they pair beautifully with the basil chicken.

How to Meal Prep and Store Leftovers

The great thing about chicken thighs is that they stay juicy and flavorful, even after sitting in the fridge or freezer, and being reheated. That makes them your best friend when it comes to meal prep.

To Store: you can store leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
To Reheat: it really depends on the recipe, but most often you can microwave leftovers for a couple of minutes until the meat is warmed through. If you’re trying keep the skin crispy, reheat in the oven at 350°F.

Want more recipes? Scroll through all the chicken recipes on this site for endless dinner inspiration.