50 Quick and Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes to Whip Up on Weeknights (2024)

Foodie Crush

Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or pulling together a weeknight meal for yourself, chicken is always a good idea. But while all eyes are usually on the boneless chicken breast, you’re actually missing out on the most flavorful part of the bird: the thigh. Lucky for you we’ve pulled together 50 quick recipes that prove chicken thighs are where it’s at.

Damn Delicious

1.

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomato Cream Sauce

Pair with hearty bread to sop up all that sauce.

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Ambitious Kitchen

2.

One-Pan Thai Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken and Rice

Meal prepping just got a lot more interesting.

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Foodie Crush

3.

Crispy Smoked Paprika Chicken

This recipe comes together in just five minutes.

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Le Crème De La Crumb

4.

Creamy Parmesan Chicken and Mushrooms

Make that Parmesan cheese rain.

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Crunchy Creamy Sweet

5.

French Onion Roasted Chicken

A hearty meal for those cold winter nights.

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Spoon Fork Bacon

6.

Garlic Roasted Chicken Thighs with Caramelized Figs and Onions

Get figgy with it.

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Healthy Seasonal Recipes

7.

Simple Maple Chipotle Barbecue Chicken

Pardon us for licking our fingers.

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Little Broken

8.

20-Minute Easy Skillet Chicken Caprese

That’s amore.

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Gimme Some Oven

9.

Easy Lime Chicken

Light on the calories, heavy on the flavor.

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Noshing with the Nolands

10.

Roasted Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs

See, meal prepping can be fun (and delicious).

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

11.

Lime Chicken with Corn and Poblano Salad

Did we mention you can make it in ten minutes?

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From a Chef’s Kitchen

12.

Curry Braised Chicken Thighs

Tastes even better the next day.

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The Endless Meal

13.

Sweet Korean Paleo Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower Rice

This flavorful, healthy dish comes together faster than you can order takeout.

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14.

Sheet Pan Southwest Chicken Thighs and Vegetables

When you don’t want to compromise taste for calories.

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Fashionable Foods

15.

Fajita-Style Chicken Thighs

The perfect excuse to whip up a batch of margaritas.

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Café Delites

16.

Honey Garlic Sriracha Chicken

Sweet and spicy, just how we like it.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

17.

Sheet-Pan Roasted Chicken with Carrots

Dinner basically just made itself.

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Jay’s Baking Me Crazy

18.

Paleo Pizza Chicken

A good-for-you version ofthe best comfort food on earth.

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Jay’s Baking Company

19.

Chimichurri Chicken Thighs

Herbs, spices and cast-iron. Do you really need anything else?

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

20.

Balsamic CranberryOne-Pan Chicken

A dish that tastes as festive as it looks.

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Mom Foodie

21.

Grilled Boneless Chicken Thighs in Turmeric Greek Yogurt Marinade

Meet your new favorite marinade.

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Diethood

22.

Lemon Paprika Chicken

Watch as dinner comes together in 30 minutes.

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Damn Delicious

23.

Ranch Cheddar Chicken

Don’t skimp on the cheese.

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The Live Fit Girls

24.

Spicy Honey Glazed Chicken Thighs

Serve with your favorite vegetable side.

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Foodie Crush

25.

Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Goat Cheese

Creamy and flavorful.

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Half Baked Harvest

26.

Autumn Braised Chicken Escabèche with Roasted Apples and Grapes

A dish busting with fall flavors.

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Kalyn’s Kitchen

27.

Baked Buffalo Chicken with Melted Blue Cheese

Green Tabasco sauce optional.

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Nutritionist Meets Chef

28.

Ginger Chili Lime Chicken

Don’t forget the cilantro garnish.

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Recipe Tin Eats

29.

One-Pot Greek Chicken & Lemon Rice

The rice is the real star in this dish.

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Sweet and Savory Meals

30.

Cranberry Orange Chicken

Absolutely gorgeous.

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Photo: Liz Andrew/Styling: Erin McDowell

31.

ParmesanRanch Chicken Thighs

Cheese as a crust? Genius.

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The Defined Dish

32.

Nashville Un-Fried Hot Chicken

All that crispy goodness without the fryer.

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Café Delites

33.

Easy Thai Satay Chicken

We want to put this creamy peanut sauce on everything.

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Pinch of Yum

34.

Easy Honey Lemon Chicken

Quick and healthy? Sign us up.

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Whole and Heavenly Oven

35.

One-Pot Italian-Braised Chicken Thighs

Never say no to Italian.

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Sweet C’s Designs

36.

Bacon Balsamic Glazed Chicken Thighs

It’s like a blanket for your chicken.

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Chef Savvy

37.

Chicken Puttanesca

You’re going to want a loaf of bread on hand to soak up all the sauce.

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Skinny Taste

38.

Chicken Thighs with Artichoke Hearts

Broil until golden brown.

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Foodie Crush

39.

Sautéed Chicken with Olives, Capers and Lemons

All that briny, lemony goodness on one plate.

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Vika Linka

40.

Indonesian Coconut Chicken and Rice with Green Beans

Mmm, we can smell the spices from here.

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Girl and the Kitchen

41.

Dreamy Chicken Marsala

Best served over a big bowl of pasta.

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Half Baked Harvest

42.

Sweet and Sticky Apricot Chicken (with Cauliflower Rice)

This dish takes simple and mouthwatering to a whole new level.

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The Chunky Chef

43.

One-Pot Chicken and Dirty Rice

Cook the chicken in the rice for maximum flavor.

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Jo Cooks

44.

Spinach and Swiss Cheese Studded Chicken Thighs

You can even swap the spinach for kale.

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Oh Sweet Basil

45.

Grilled Hawaiian Chicken

Transport yourself to the tropics.

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Alyssa and Carla

46.

One-Sheet-Pan Balsamic Chicken with Sautéed Broccoli

For the nights when you want to keep cleanup to a minimum.

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Le Crème de la Crumb

47.

Maple Mustard Glazed Chicken

Perfect for any night of the week.

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Half Baked Harvest

48.

Garlic Butter Roasted Chicken Thighs with Charred Lemon Salsa Verde and Asparagus

Herb Parmesan garlic butter—need we say more?

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Julia’s Album

49.

Honey Lime Chicken Thighs

Tender, refreshing and super tasty.

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Damn Delicious

50.

Garlic Brown Sugar Chicken

Now this is what winning at dinner looks like.

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50 Quick and Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes to Whip Up on Weeknights (2024)

FAQs

How to get more flavor in chicken thighs? ›

12 Ways To Add More Flavor To Chicken Thighs

Buy thighs with the skin on. ...
Salt or brine thighs before cooking. ...
Use a splash of spirits in your marinade. ...
Use leftover pickle juice for an easy marinade. ...
Give the thighs a poke before marinating. ...
Cook them low and slow. ...
Use dairy as a marinade. ...
Don't shy away from sweetness.

More items...

Jan 29, 2023

Is 40 minutes long enough to cook chicken thighs? ›

The cooking time for chicken thighs in the oven at 180°C (350°F) will depend on a few factors such as the size of the chicken thighs and whether they are boneless or bone-in. As a general guideline, boneless chicken thighs may take 20-25 minutes to cook while bone-in chicken thighs may take 30-35 minutes or more.

Get More Info Here ›

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400? ›

I recommend baking the chicken thighs at 400 degrees for less time to ensure the chicken thighs stay nice and juicy, vs baking for longer at 350 degrees and running the risk of drying them out.

Do chicken thighs get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Unlike chicken breasts, chicken thighs and drumsticks actually become more tender the longer they cook. That's because of their makeup. Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender.

Is it better to boil or fry chicken thighs? ›

Chicken is a very versatile meat that can be roasted, fried and even steamed for delicious results. Chicken thighs, however, benefit the most from being roasted or fried, as it allows the fat to render and results in a succulent texture.

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What tenderizes chicken thighs? ›

Using a marinade is a good way to achieve soft and tender chicken, with plain yogurt or buttermilk being the most commonly used marinades. The two contain acids and enzymes that combine to break the proteins and fiber in the chicken.

Keep Reading ›

What spices enhance the flavor of chicken? ›

5 best spice and herbs blends for chicken and meat

Paprika and garlic powder. Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. ...
Basil and rosemary. ...
Ginger and lemongrass. ...
Turmeric and chili. ...
Coriander and cumin.

Do you bake chicken thighs covered or uncovered? ›

Don't Cover the Chicken.

Some chicken thighs in the oven recipes require covering with aluminum foil. This is not one of them. When baking chicken thighs with the skin on, you're trying to achieve crispy chicken thighs in the oven. Therefore, leaving them uncovered ensures a crispy skin that turns perfectly golden.

Read On ›

What is the best temperature to bake chicken thighs? ›

The USDA guidelines lists approximate cooking times of 40 to 50 minutes for 4-to-8-ounce chicken thighs roasted at 350 degrees. In our basic meal prep boneless chicken thighs recipe, they take about 25 to 30 minutes baked at 425 degrees F.

Tell Me More ›

How long to keep chicken thighs in oven at 400? ›

Keep in mind that boneless skinless chicken thighs will require about less time.

Chicken Thighs at 350°F – 50-55 minutes.
Chicken Thighs at 375°F – 45-50 minutes.
Chicken Thighs at 400°F – 40-45 minutes.
Chicken Thighs at 425°F – 35-40 minutes (preferred method)

Jan 10, 2024

Why are my baked chicken thighs tough? ›

As mentioned above, overcooked chicken is the most common reason for rubbery chicken because the chicken loses moisture as it cooks. Checking the internal temperature of the chicken is the best way to avoid this.

Is 425 too high for chicken thighs? ›

Heat the oven to 425 degrees and lift the chicken thighs from the marinade, letting any excess drip into the bowl. Place the thighs on a sheet pan and let them sit at room temperature while the oven heats. Bake until fully cooked and lightly browned, 25 to 30 minutes.

Show Me More ›

How should chicken thighs be cooked? ›

The USDA guidelines lists approximate cooking times of 40 to 50 minutes for 4-to-8-ounce chicken thighs roasted at 350 degrees. In our basic meal prep boneless chicken thighs recipe, they take about 25 to 30 minutes baked at 425 degrees F.

Show Me More ›

Why do chefs prefer chicken thighs? ›

Way More Flavorful

Chicken thighs are a fattier cut of meat, which means they're going to have more intense, rich flavor than their white meat counterparts.

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Should you flip chicken thighs halfway through cooking? ›

Generally, chicken thighs should be cooked at medium temperature (350-375 degrees F) for about 12-15 minutes total, flipping them half-way through.

50 Quick and Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes to Whip Up on Weeknights (2024)

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FAQs

How to get more flavor in chicken thighs? ›

Why are my baked chicken thighs tough? ›

References