47 Chicken Thigh Recipes for Delicious, Easy Dinners
We’ll go ahead and say it: The best chicken recipes are chicken thigh recipes. Juicy, rich chicken thighs are much less prone to drying out than (sorry, not sorry) chicken breasts. Whether you’re starting with bone-in or boneless, skinless chicken thighs—or boneless skin-on chicken thighs—this cut of meat is undoubtedly the most flavorful part of the bird.
Plus, chicken thighs can do it all. Want to grill? Sear? Braise? Fry? Go for dark meat and never worry. Our best recipes with chicken thighs include speedy flavor-charged chicken fajitas, creamy Korma-style chicken curry, and wok-cooked sweet-and-sour chicken. So next time you’re staring into the fridge, wondering what to make with chicken thighs, turn to this collection.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Micah Marie Morton1/47Crispy Chicken Over Turmeric-Lemon Cabbage and Peas
For an easy, one-pan weeknight dinner, set cumin and turmeric–rubbed chicken thighs atop a pile of silky cabbage to finish in the oven. Top the dish with sweet peas and a flurry of fresh cilantro.
Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Olivia Mack Anderson2/47Spring Salad With Crispy Chicken and Bacony Croutons
Here’s a hearty dinner salad that has a little bit of everything: smoky bacon, crispy-skinned chicken, bright mint and fennel, and bitter escarole or frisée.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich3/47Sweet and Sour Chicken
You can use thighs or, fine, chicken breasts for this at-home riff on a beloved takeout recipe. Cooking over high heat in a wok makes it super speedy.
Photo by Laura Edwards4/47Methi Chicken
A cousin of butter chicken, this Methi Chicken recipe features a medley of spices, including green cardamom pods, dried fenugreek leaves, and cassia bark. Boneless skinless chicken thighs have never looked so good.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne5/47One-Pot Chicken and Biscuits
No idea what’s for dinner tonight? Let this comforting, one-pot meal be your solution. It only requires one bowl too.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Judy Haubert6/47Chicken Fajitas
Thanks to a citrusy, spicy marinade, this easy weeknight dinner punches far above its weight in terms of flavor. Not sure how to tell when the chicken is done? The internal temperature should read 165°.
Photo by Alex Lau, Food Styling by Andy Baraghani7/47Grilled Chicken Skewers With Toum (Shish Taouk)
This is one of our favorite chicken thigh recipes for grilling season; the lemony, garlic-loaded marinade packs in tons of flavor. Serve with pita (bonus points if you make it fresh) and pickled turnips.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich11/47Instant Pot Chicken Rendang
A slow-cooked dish that usually requires hours of stovetop nursing, rendang is done in a fraction of the time—and more hands-off—when you make it in an Instant Pot.
Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich12/47Garlicky Instant Ramen Noodle Salad With Grilled Chicken Thighs
Here’s the perfect summer chicken dinner: Marinate boneless, skinless chicken thighs in garlic, oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, and cilantro roots or stems, cook them swiftly on the grill, then nestle them on top of a springy ramen salad.
