17 Chicken Thigh Recipes for Flavor-Packed Meals

Chicken thighs are the star of this collection, offering tender, juicy, and flavorful meals that are easy to prepare and versatile for any occasion. Whether you’re baking, frying, or slow-cooking, these 17 recipes highlight the best ways to elevate this affordable cut of chicken. From creamy herb sauces to bold Cajun spices, there’s a dish here to satisfy every craving. Let’s dive into these irresistible chicken thigh recipes!

Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Season the chicken thighs with paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Heat butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs, skin side down, for 5-6 minutes until golden.
4. Flip the chicken, add minced garlic to the skillet, and transfer it to the oven. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Serve hot, drizzled with the buttery garlic sauce from the skillet.

Creamy Garlic Herb Cajun Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

1. Rub the chicken thighs with Cajun seasoning.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken for 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine.
4. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens.
5. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot over rice or pasta.

Crispy Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat the chicken thighs dry and season generously with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken, skin side up, on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Roast for 35-40 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Serve immediately with your favorite side dish.

Sticky Sweet Chili Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp grated ginger

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, honey, and grated ginger.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes per side until browned.
3. Pour the sauce over the chicken and simmer for 10-15 minutes, basting occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce thickens.
4. Serve hot, garnished with sesame seeds or green onions.

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Serve with a side of roasted vegetables or mashed potatoes.

Chicken Thighs With Creamy Mushroom Garlic Sauce Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cups mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken thighs for 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
2. In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms and garlic until softened.
3. Add chicken broth and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer until the sauce thickens.
4. Return the chicken to the skillet and cook for 10 minutes until heated through.
5. Serve hot with mashed potatoes or pasta.

Pioneer Woman Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 hours

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

1. Place chicken thighs in the slow cooker.
2. In a bowl, whisk together chicken broth, soy sauce, honey, and garlic. Pour over the chicken.
3. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender.
4. Serve with rice and steamed vegetables, drizzling the sauce over the chicken.

Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Coat the chicken thighs evenly with the honey mustard mixture.
3. Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side until browned.
4. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked through.
5. Serve hot, drizzled with extra sauce, alongside roasted vegetables or rice.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp black pepper

Steps:

1. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
4. Cook for 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Serve immediately with a fresh salad or dipping sauce.

Skillet Bang Bang Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1 tbsp sriracha sauce
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise, sriracha sauce, and honey to make the bang bang sauce.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side until golden.
3. Reduce heat to low, pour the bang bang sauce over the chicken, and simmer for 10 minutes until cooked through.
4. Serve hot, garnished with green onions, alongside steamed rice or vegetables.

Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes per side until golden. Remove and set aside.
3. In the same skillet, sauté garlic until fragrant. Add lemon juice, oregano, salt, and pepper, scraping up any browned bits.
4. Return the chicken to the skillet and bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve hot, garnished with lemon slices and parsley.

Honey Garlic Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Steps:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, soy sauce, lemon pepper seasoning, and minced garlic.
2. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side until golden.
3. Pour the honey garlic mixture over the chicken and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, basting occasionally.
4. Serve hot with steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes, drizzled with the sauce.

Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs and Green Beans Skillet

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup green beans, trimmed
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side until golden. Remove and set aside.
2. Add garlic to the skillet and sauté until fragrant. Pour in lemon juice and scrape up any browned bits.
3. Add green beans to the skillet and sauté for 5 minutes until tender.
4. Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer for an additional 10 minutes until fully cooked.
5. Serve hot, garnished with lemon wedges.

Chimichurri Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup chimichurri sauce (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Steps:

1. Marinate the chicken thighs in chimichurri sauce for at least 10 minutes.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sear the chicken thighs for 5 minutes on each side until golden.
3. Reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for an additional 5-10 minutes until fully cooked.
4. Serve hot with extra chimichurri sauce drizzled on top, alongside roasted potatoes or salad.

Cajun Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil, Cajun seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, skin side up.
4. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
5. Serve hot with roasted vegetables or a side of rice.

Oven Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup barbecue sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rub the chicken thighs with olive oil, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, skin side up. Brush generously with barbecue sauce.
4. Bake for 25 minutes, then brush with more barbecue sauce and bake for an additional 10 minutes until caramelized.
5. Serve with coleslaw or cornbread for a classic BBQ meal.

Oven Baked Chicken and Rice

Servings: 4
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 cup uncooked rice
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Steps:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. In the dish, combine uncooked rice, chicken broth, onions, and garlic. Spread evenly.
3. Place the chicken thighs on top, skin side up, and season with paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes until the chicken is golden and the rice is tender.
5. Serve hot, garnished with parsley.

MORE RECIPES

Conclusion

Chicken thighs are a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can be transformed into a wide variety of delicious dishes. Whether you’re in the mood for something creamy, crispy, zesty, or bold, these 17 chicken thigh recipes offer something for every taste and occasion. From comforting oven-baked options to quick and easy skillet meals, each recipe is designed to bring out the best in this tender cut of chicken. Try them all and discover new family favorites that will make mealtime a breeze and a delight!