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Home » Chicken

The Best Chicken Thigh Recipes

Published: Apr 19, 2023 by Kate

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Collage of chicken thigh recipes, with text: 25 Chicken Thigh Recipes.

Wondering what to cook with chicken thighs? We've got you covered with this list of the best chicken thigh recipes! Thighs are a budget-friendly, versatile, and delicious cut of chicken that can be used in a variety of dishes, from hearty stews and comforting casseroles to quick and easy weeknight dinners.

Picture of garlic chicken thighs, with text: The 25 Best Chicken Thigh Recipes.
Jump to:
  • How Many Chicken Thighs Per Person?
  • Why Should I Choose Chicken Thighs?
  • Chicken Safety
  • Chicken Thigh Recipes
  • Chicken Thigh Recipes
  • 💬 Comments

Chicken thighs are a type of dark meat chicken cut from the top section of the chicken leg (the bottom section is called the drumstick). They are a popular cut of meat because they are flavorful, tender, and relatively inexpensive.

They are known for their rich flavor, tender texture, and juiciness, making them a favorite in our house!

You can purchase them bone-in or boneless, with or without the skin. However, this can affect the cooking time and flavor of the meat.

Compared to chicken breasts, thighs have a higher fat content, which we find makes them more flavorful more succulent.

You can cook your chicken thighs in a variety of ways, including grilling, roasting, sautéing, frying, and braising. We love Chickpea Paprikash, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Buffalo Chicken Thighs, or Boneless Skinless Honey Chicken Thighs.

In this list of recipes, we've got air fryer, Instant pot, sheet pan, skillet, one-pot and slow cooker recipes. Showing just how darn versatile this cut is!

We hope you'll be inspired by this list of recipes to use thighs in a wide range of dishes. From classic favorites like fried chicken and chicken cacciatore to more modern takes like chicken tacos and stir-fries.

So read on to find out all about chicken thighs, plus a list of our top chicken thigh recipes!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs-Cover image
Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs

How Many Chicken Thighs Per Person?

The number of chicken thighs you should serve per person can vary depending on the recipe, the size of the chicken thighs, and people's appetite.

As a general rule of thumb, you can estimate one to two chicken thighs per person.

If you are serving bone-in chicken thighs, it is recommended to calculate about 1 ½ chicken thighs per person, as they are larger than boneless chicken thighs. For boneless chicken thighs, you may want to estimate about 2 per person, depending on their size.

Chicken paprikash cooked in a pan.
Chicken Paprikash

Why Should I Choose Chicken Thighs?

There are many reasons why you might want to use chicken thighs instead of breasts. Here are a few:

  • Flavor: Chicken thighs have a richer, more flavorful meat than chicken breasts. This is because they contain more fat, which helps to keep them moist and flavorful.
  • Texture: Chicken thighs are also more tender than chicken breasts. This is because they have more connective tissue, which breaks down during cooking and makes the meat more tender.
  • Nutrition: Chicken thighs are a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. They also contain more fat than chicken breasts, but this fat is mostly unsaturated.
  • Cost: Chicken thighs are often less expensive than chicken breasts. This is because they are not as popular as chicken breasts, so they are often sold at a lower price.

Overall, chicken thighs are a great option for those looking for a flavorful, tender, and nutritious cut of meat. They are also a good value for your money.

Chicken Safety

  • Keep raw chicken separate from other foods to avoid cross-contamination. You should use separate cutting boards, utensils, and dishes when handling chicken. And always wash your hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling it.
  • Chicken should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) to kill any harmful bacteria. You can use a meat thermometer to check the temperature at the thickest part of the chicken. You should also make sure there is no pink meat and juices run clear.
  • Avoid washing chicken: Washing chicken can spread bacteria around your kitchen, sink, and countertops. Instead, pat the chicken dry with paper towels before cooking.

Chicken Thigh Recipes

In this roundup blog post, we'll explore some of the best chicken thigh recipes out there. From classic favorites to innovative new takes on this great ingredient, we've got you covered!

Chicken Thigh Recipes

Chicken thighs are a versatile and delicious cut of meat that can be used in a variety of dishes, from hearty stews and comforting casseroles to quick and easy weeknight dinners. With their tender and juicy texture, chicken thighs are a favorite among many home cooks and chefs alike, and for good reason. Try them in these tasty recipes!

Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs

You're going to love these incredible Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs! They are seasoned with garlic butter, herbs, and parmesan cheese before being in the oven or cooked in the air fryer. So much flavor!

Chicken Paprikash

Hungarian Chicken Paprikash is a rich and tasty dish made from chicken, paprika, and sour cream. It is easy to make and has an incredible flavor! Serve over egg noodles, potatoes, or rice for a comforting meal.

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

You can make super crispy chicken thighs in no time by using your air fryer! They get super tender inside and nice and crispy outside. Find out exactly how to make them!

Baked Honey Garlic Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

This recipe is a family favourite! Baked Honey Garlic Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs are bursting with flavor from the juicy chicken thighs and the honey garlic sauce.

Photo Credit: nibbleanddine.com

Grilled Balsamic Chicken

You only need 6 simple ingredients for these tangy, sweet, and flavorful grilled balsamic chicken thighs!

Photo Credit: masalaandchai.com

Butter Chicken

Use chicken thighs in this rich and creamy Butter Chicken for the best taste. Perfect with basmati rice or homemade garlic naan.

Photo Credit: simshomekitchen.com

Crispy Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Make these crispy and spicy Buffalo chicken thighs in just 30 minutes, then serve them up with your favorite side dishes.

Photo Credit: cookathomemom.com

Slow Cooker BBQ Chicken Thighs

You only need 4 simple ingredients for these tasty BBQ chicken thighs made in the slow cooker!

Photo Credit: www.kitchensanctuary.com

Chicken Biryani

In this classic Indian dish, tender chicken thighs are served shredded in a richly spiced sauce with flavor-packed rice and topped with saffron and thinly sliced fried onion.

Photo Credit: inmamamaggieskitchen.com

Grilled Achiote Chicken

Grilled Achiote Chicken is a tasty Mexican dish full of garlic, herbs, and achiote paste.

Photo Credit: foodworthfeed.com

Coq au Vin Blanc (French Stewed Chicken in White Wine)

Use bone in chicken thighs for the best flavor in this dish of French stewed chicken in white wine sauce. A rich and elegant meal.

Photo Credit: hildaskitchenblog.com

Traeger Smoked Chicken Thighs

These Traeger smoked chicken thighs result in super moist, tender chicken with a perfect smokey flavor.

Photo Credit: www.foodbanjo.com

Air Fryer Peri Peri Chicken

Make these rich and spicy Peri Peri chicken thighs right in your air fryer in no time! They're succulent and tender, but crispy too.

Photo Credit: mediterraneansavor.com

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma Bowls

This chicken shawarma is full of flavor from the warm, aromatic Middle Eastern spices. Plus, it's a super simple sheet pan dish! Perfect for serving as a sandwich with pita bread, or as a bowl with grain and veggies.

Photo Credit: cookingwithcurls.com

Instant Pot Filipino Chicken Adobo

Chicken Adobo is a Filipino chicken stew that is both sweet and savory, with ingredients like chicken thighs, soy sauce, brown sugar and lots of garlic. It's made in an Instant Pot pressure cooker so it's quick and easy!

Photo Credit: www.anediblemosaic.com

Chicken Panang Curry Recipe

You only need 30 minutes for this tasty panang curry! It's full of Thai red curry paste, coconut milk, chicken thighs and seasonings.

Photo Credit: richanddelish.com

Marry Me Chicken

Make this classic dish in just 30 minutes. It's rich and creamy, with chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, heavy cream, fresh and dry herbs, and parmesan cheese.

Photo Credit: www.foxandbriar.com

Korean Chicken Thighs

These Sweet and Spicy Baked Korean Chicken Thighs are flavored with gochujang chili paste for a spicy kick. They're baked and ready in no time!

Photo Credit: www.chocolatemoosey.com

Mediterranean Chicken Thighs

This dish of Mediterranean chicken thigs is full of tender chicken, olives, tomatoes, lemon, herbs, and crumbled feta cheese.

Photo Credit: pinchandswirl.com

Chicken Carnitas

Chicken Carnitas is a tasty and tender version of classic carnitas. This dish is made with boneless skinless chicken, plus bold flavors, in your slow cooker!

Photo Credit: gardeninthekitchen.com

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Vegetables

This dish is so easy! Sheet pan chicken thighs with veggies is simple, tasty and a go-to weeknight meal.

Photo Credit: www.acedarspoon.com

Moroccan Chicken Thighs

Moroccan Chicken Thighs are tender, rich with flavor and simple to make. Chicken thighs, carrots, onions and diced tomatoes are cooked in Moroccan spices.

Photo Credit: inthekitch.net

Korean Kimchi Chicken

In this dish, chicken thighs are marinated in an Asian-style sauce with the flavors of kimchi, gochujang, and soy sauce! So flavorful and bold! 

Photo Credit: aseasonedgreeting.com

Easy Baked BBQ Chicken

Make bbq chicken in the oven! This easy recipe cooks them to perfect, and they're then browned under the broiler.

Photo Credit: littleferrarokitchen.com

Hawaiian Style Shoyu Chicken

Hawaiian shoyu chicken is Hawaii's comfort food! Chicken simmers in a flavorful shoyu base with garlic and ginger until incredibly tender with sweet and savory flavors.

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Kate cooking.

Hi, I'm Kate! You Say Potatoes, I say, well, potatoes. I'm a cookbook author and journalist from the Pacific Northwest. Here you'll find easy, budget-friendly recipes made from scratch.

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