Amazing Chicken Thigh Recipes

You won’t need any fancy equipment or long hours standing in the kitchen either. These chicken thigh recipes are as simple and straightforward as they get.

So, without further ado, let’s bite into chicken thighs.

Everything You Need to Know About Chicken Thighs

You get two cuts from a chicken leg: the thigh and drumstick.

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Chicken thighs are the top part of the chicken leg where it connects to the body. The drumstick is right below the thigh, making it the calf part of the leg.

1. Are They White or Dark Meat?

Although chicken is generally white meat, chicken leg is referred to as dark meat. This is because of its slightly darker tinge, which turns even darker when cooked.

The thighs and drumsticks are juicier compared to chicken breast. They contain more fat and — as a result — more flavor.

This gives thighs a bad rep, so let’s see how they can affect your diet.

2. Are They Healthy?

Chicken thighs contain nutrients, minerals, and healthy fats. Each thigh provides you with 13.5 grams of protein, 109 calories, and 47% fat.

The higher fat content makes them perfect for bodybuilders and people trying to gain weight. Therefore, if you’re looking to lose weight, you may want to keep your distance.

Chicken breasts tend to be the better option for weight loss diets since they’re lean meat.

But you can still include thighs in a healthy diet, and the following are ways to have them as a part of healthy meals.

It’s an Oven Affair: Baked Chicken Thigh Recipes

All of these flavorful recipes have one thing in common: they give you free time to do whatever you want as they sit comfortably in the oven. You can whip up a side, load that laundry up, or simply sit down for a while. All should be taken care of.

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Easy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

This easy baked chicken thighs recipe promises a satisfying dish of juicy chicken with crispy skin that’s been infused with intense spices and baked to golden perfection. Everything comes together in the oven, making it a no-fuss dish you can make for any occasion.

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Healthy Chicken And Rice Casserole Recipe

This chicken and rice casserole recipe is specially created for those who are running errands. Hopefully, it will hit your comfort button.

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Chicken Marbella Recipe

Today’s chicken Marbella recipe calls for tender chicken thighs, green olives, dried plums, and other ingredients to recreate an iconic 80s party dish.

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Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

This buffalo chicken dip recipe is a combination of tender chicken, Buffalo sauce, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, and cheddar cheese.

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Rosemary Chicken Recipe

Today’s rosemary chicken recipe featuring charred chicken thighs, roasted potatoes, carrots, and asparagus, delivers a rustic-looking chicken delicacy.

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Chicken Thigh Marinade Recipe

Today’s chicken thigh and marinade recipe show you an easy yet super tasty approach to the traditional baked dish. Chicken thighs are bathed in a savory and sweet soy-garlic sauce and cooked in the oven for a crispy outer layer and juice interior. Let’s learn how to cook it!

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Healthy Chicken Shawarma Recipe

As a true Middle Eastern dish, Chicken shawarma is often served in pita bread with heaps of veggies and sauce. It’s super aromatic.

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Oven-baked Chicken and Bell Pepper Recipe

As simple as it may sound, this oven-baked chicken and bell pepper recipe will surprise your taste buds with a gorgeous mixture of savory and sweet flavors. It features crispy-skinned chicken thighs baked with colorful bell peppers, served with creamy mashed chickpeas.

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Barbecue Chicken Recipe

Our barbecue chicken recipe helps you cook up the center of attention at mealtime thanks to the flavorsome chicken and tasty vegetables.

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These are just a few from our baked chicken thigh roundup. Go and check it out if you want some more delicious ideas.

The Pot Cooked It: Instant Pot Chicken Thigh Recipes

Similarly, the Instant Pot does all the hard work and plus, makes the meat extra tender for you. We have soups, saucy chicken that goes with pastas or rice, and surprisingly quick stews.

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Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Recipe

Our Instant Pot chicken thighs recipe is packed with flavor and requires minimal effort. Best of all, there is only one pot to clean up after cooking.

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Instant Pot Honey Garlic Chicken Recipe

This Instant Pot honey garlic chicken recipe makes a delicious rice dish. The garlicky, salty-sweet glaze will leave you coming back for more.

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Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore Recipe

This Instant Pot chicken Cacciatore recipe turns out lip-smacking chicken pasta that’s simple and requires minimal effort.

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Instant Pot Thai Chicken Curry Recipe

This easy Instant Pot Thai chicken curry recipe is loaded with lean protein and vegetables to make a standard, nutritious dinner at home.

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Instant Pot Sesame Chicken Recipe

In today's Instant Pot sesame chicken recipe, you can cut down on both the cooking time and the excess oil from deep-frying.

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Instant Pot Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

This Instant Pot teriyaki chicken recipe is one of the easiest and quickest ways to make a wholesome dish in a pressure cooker.

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Instant Pot Chicken Tikka Masala Recipe

Our Instant Pot chicken tikka masala is a quick and effortless version of the authentic Indian staple. The dish features bite-size chunks of chicken slowly simmered in a rich and spicy tomato-based sauce. The result is a buttery, aromatic tikka masala with a uniquely exotic hint of garam masala. The leftovers taste even more delicious.

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Instant Pot Chicken Stew Recipe

Today’s Instant Pot chicken stew recipe makes a satisfying-yet-healthy dinner from scratch in just 40 minutes.

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Instant Pot Curry Recipe

If you’re looking for a kick of flavors while keeping the dinner quick and hassle-free, look no further than this Instant Pot curry recipe.

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For more ideas, have a look at our Instant Pot Chicken Breast Recipes.

Easy Breezy Lemon Squeezy: Air Fryer Chicken Thigh Recipes

Like an oven but mini, the air fryer can cook you all sorts of flavorful dishes. Here we have for you 13 best recipes, all featuring golden, flavorful chicken pieces.

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Air Fryer Chicken Shawarma Recipe

With plenty of hands-off cooking time, this air fryer chicken shawarma recipe is an easy way to recreate this iconic takeaway at home.

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Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe

If a simple and customizable weeknight dinner is what you're up for, then today's air fryer chicken thighs recipe is for you.

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Air Fryer Peri Peri Chicken Recipe

With only a few minutes of prep time, our air fryer peri peri chicken makes a satisfying and delicious meal with minimal work and maximal flavor.

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Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

This air-fryer teriyaki chicken recipe cooks a delicious meal of chicken and rice using just an air fryer (and a rice cooker/ pot).

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Air Fryer General Tso’s Chicken Recipe

Our air fryer General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a nice, healthy way to replicate the delicious Chinese take-out. We’re serving it with rice, soup, and a drink.

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Air Fryer BBQ Chicken Recipe

This air fryer BBQ chicken recipe makes a satisfying meal with gorgeous golden-brown chicken thigh paired with tasty potato wedges, fresh lettuce, and cherry tomatoes. Perfect for weeknight dinners and special enough for guests.

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Air Fryer Mongolian Chicken Recipe

Tired of dry air-fried chicken? Give our air fryer Mongolian chicken recipe a try and you will find yourself making the dish again and again.

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Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken Recipe

Embrace the beauty of Vietnamese cuisine with this lemongrass chicken recipe. It infuses the savory chicken with a uniquely citrusy scent that creates a delightful aromatic twist. It’s served over steamy rice and fresh veggies, with an added sweet-spicy dipping sauce that ties everything together.

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Air Fryer Chicken Satay Recipe

This air fryer chicken satay recipe calls for simple ingredients and cooks the dish in no time at all. The spicy, juicy chicken and rich peanut butter sauce are worth the prep.

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Air Fryer Greek Chicken Recipe

Our 30-minute air fryer Greek chicken recipe provides a hearty meal of flavorful chicken and salad. It's simple and only requires a few ingredients.

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Air Fryer Chicken Burger Recipe

Our air fryer chicken burger recipe needs only 25 minutes of your time to turn out an easy, laborless meal. Once the buttons are pressed, it’s hands-free.

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Air Fryer Orange Chicken Recipe

Our air fryer orange chicken recipe is a healthier take on the Chinese popular staple. It’s served with rice to make a delicious, easy meal.

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Air Fryer Chicken Tacos Recipe

Your taco night will become a breeze with our easy air fryer chicken tacos recipe. Serve the dish with a salad and fruit juice for a well-rounded, healthy meal.

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Fuss-Free Weeknight Meals: Chicken Skillets

Sustainability has always been a key to healthy eating, so we always keep some easy, 15-minute meals on our sleeves. These favorite chicken pans of ours require just a few ingredients, plus spices, and just like that make you reheatable meals to save for the entire week.

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Chicken Risotto Recipe

This 30-minute chicken risotto recipe makes a quick and filling meal with deliciously savory chicken thighs on top of creamy mushroom risotto, perfect for lunches or weeknight dinners.

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Shoyu Chicken Recipe

This shoyu chicken recipe can stop you from living off takeout food. It takes just 30 minutes to make juicy chicken thighs swimming in sauce.

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Balsamic Glazed Chicken Thighs Recipe

Whether it’s a lavish feast or a casual weeknight dinner, this balsamic glazed chicken thighs recipe will undoubtedly make a perfect addition to your homemade meals.

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Honey Butter Chicken Recipe

This honey butter chicken recipe will give you a light and healthy dinner ready in an hour. No more guilty pleasures!

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Chicken Paella Recipe

Are you ready for a Spanish-style chicken feast put together in less than one hour? Featuring well-seasoned chicken and fresh vegetables, our chicken Paella dish delivers complex flavors and exciting textures to your dinner table.

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Chicken Vesuvio Recipe

Today's chicken Vesuvio recipe will serve up a hearty meal with nicely roasted chicken, where everything is cooked in one skillet.

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Mediterranean Chicken Recipe

Today’s Mediterranean chicken features succulent chicken thighs, fresh black olives, red onion, and cherry tomatoes baked until fork-tender—defining the flavor and texture of Mediterranean cuisine.

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Chicken Jalfrezi Recipe

This easy 30-minute chicken jalfrezi recipe will give you an Indian-Chinese stir-fry dish that packs a punch of big and bold flavors.

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Creamy Chicken Thigh Recipe

Featuring tender chicken thighs and white mushrooms cooked in a dairy-based sauce, today’s creamy chicken recipe promises a gourmet dining experience.

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Chicken Alfredo Recipe

Chicken alfredo recipe combines a creamy sauce with tender and well-seasoned slices of chicken, and earthy mushroom. A quick meal that can be made one-pot!

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Creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Al dente conchiglie and chunks of chicken thighs are tossed in a deluxe Cajun sauce, making an irresistible dish. This Cajun pasta is restaurant-quality at its finest yet takes hardly any time to pull together.

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Chicken Fricassee Recipe

This 45-minute chicken fricassee recipe gives you a saucy sauté of juicy meat and hearty vegetables. It might take a while but you’ll have plenty of hands-free time.

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Buffalo Chicken Thighs Recipe

Today’s Buffalo chicken thighs recipe features succulent chicken thighs and crunchy vegetables. Enjoy this simple yet flavorful dish on a game night with family and friends.

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Teriyaki Chicken Recipe

If you love Japanese cuisine, having a teriyaki chicken recipe is a must. This traditional grilled chicken is glossy, juicy, super aromatic, and goes really well with rice.

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Chicken Fried Rice Recipe

This chicken fried rice recipe brings you an Asian classic, a simple yet delicious fried rice with chicken thighs and multi-colored vegetables.

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Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms Recipe

This chicken thighs with mushrooms recipe is an excellent option for weeknight dinners, offering a protein-rich meal that tastes utterly delicious and simply satisfying.

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Chicken Rice Recipe

This chicken rice recipe packs a fulfilling meal in one pot with succulent chicken thighs, flavorful rice, and vegetables.

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Moo Goo Gai Pan Recipe

In this moo goo gai pan recipe, we used skinless boneless chicken thighs and chunked them into 1-inch pieces.

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Braised Chicken Recipe

Cook up a lavish yet comforting and cozy meal with this braised chicken recipe. Pan-seared then left to simmer, the meat is tender and juicy with a slightly crispy edge. Each bite is filled with a rich mixture of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors, enhanced by soft and creamy potatoes.

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Ginger Chicken Recipe

Our ginger chicken recipe shows you how to make a fragrant and aromatic chicken dish with ginger as the dominant ingredient.

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Chicken Tagine Recipe

Our chicken tagine recipe recreates a staple in Moroccan cuisine but with modern kitchen appliances. The resulting dish is rich, hearty, and complex in flavor.

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Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs Recipe

Our pan-seared chicken thighs recipe showcases chicken thighs in one of the simplest ways possible, nicely seared and served on top of steamed vegetables.

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Healthy Chicken Carnitas Recipe

This chicken carnitas recipe is prep-friendly without exotic ingredients. 35 minutes of cooking time on the stovetop is enough for it.

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Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe

This honey garlic chicken thighs recipe makes a delicious protein-packed meal with gorgeous golden-brown chicken thigh paired with wholesome bok choy. Serve with hot white rice for a well-rounded meal.

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These are just a few of what we have. For more ideas, take a look at this collection with 39 chicken skillets, 13 chicken pots, and more.

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs

You can bake chicken thighs for anywhere between 25-60 minutes — it depends on what temperature you set the oven to. We have an article that explains how long to bake chicken, which gives further details for various cuts.

In summary, you can set the oven temperature to 300°F and expect to wait for 55-60 minutes while the chicken thighs roast. Or, if you’re in a hurry, you can crank the temperature up to 450°F, giving you a 25-30 minute cook.

The only caution is to avoid overcooking it. As much as it is naturally plump and juicy, overcooking will result in a dry piece of chicken that’s not as satisfying to bite into.

How Long to Boil Chicken Thighs

Boiling chicken thighs is a simple way to extract beautiful flavors. This method comes in handy when looking for effortless ways to cook chicken.

First, wait for the water to boil before adding the thighs, a technique similar to poaching.

After that, lower the temperature to a simmer and leave it to cook. A 6 oz chicken thigh takes about 12 minutes to cook, while an 8 oz piece takes 25 minutes.

You can tell it’s ready when the internal temperature reaches 165-170°F or when the flesh is no longer pink.

How to Debone Chicken Thighs

From the outside looking in, deboning chicken thighs might seem like a challenging task. We’re here to reassure you that it’s not.

Here are a few steps that will have you opting for the less costly bone-in chicken thighs the next time you go grocery shopping.

Step 1: Place the thigh onto a cutting board, with the skin side down so that you can see the bone.

Step 2: Cut vertically — from top to bottom — as close as you can to the bone without cutting too deep on both sides. Ensure to include the cartilage at the top and bottom of the bone.

Step 3: Make incisions under the bone and pull the chicken flesh from the bone. Scrape any excess flesh remaining.

Chicken Thigh Calories

A 5-ounce chicken thigh without skin contains 180 calories. That’s similar to the number of calories in a similar-sized piece of chicken breast.

So the difference in calories is not that big, and both score points in the healthy column.

One chicken thigh with skin, however, weighs almost 7 ounces and contains 427 calories — more than 2 times that of skinless thighs. This is owed to the chunk of fat that chicken skin provides.

If weight loss is the name of your game, we suggest you stick to skinless chicken thighs. This way, you get the best of both worlds with juicy chicken flavor and plenty of protein.

Protein in Chicken Thighs

The same 5-ounce chicken thigh, without skin, contains 29.3 grams of protein, a pretty large portion.

It’s not as much as the protein found in chicken breasts (31.8 grams). However, it provides more than 16-50% of the required amount of protein on a 2000-calorie diet.

So if chicken breasts happen to be missing from the grocery poultry section, or you feel like having a juicier piece of meat, go ahead and select chicken thighs. They’ll be just as good for helping you stay satiated and building some muscle while working out.

If these recipes got you craving some more chicken, check out our list of best healthy chicken recipes. It’s our versatile collection of delicious and diverse chicken dishes!