Chicken thighs are quick, cheap, and universally loved by everybody in the family, you simply can’t beat them for weeknight meals.
Why Chicken Thighs?
- They’re simply more flavorful than chicken breasts
- They stay juicy and tender, even if you cook them a little longer
- Much more forgiving ~ no stress about drying them out
- chicken thighs are generally a less expensive cut than chicken breasts
- Great for everything from crispy, high-heat cooking to cozy, saucy dishes
Skin On or Off?
- Many (but not all) of the recipes here use skin-on chicken thighs.
- The skin adds flavor and texture, especially when the thighs are browned first.
- I generally buy skin-on thighs unless the recipe calls for the chicken to be immersed in a sauce or soup ~ in that case, skinless is better since the skin would turn rubbery.
- If you’re watching fat and calories, skinless thighs are a good option:
- skinless thigh: ~6 grams fat
- skin-on thigh: ~17 grams fat
- Any of these recipes can be made successfully with skinless thighs.
My Teriyaki Chicken with Broccoli Rice uses boneless skinless chicken thighs
That means chopstick tender meat and a heart healthy meal. If you don’t see boneless skinless thighs in your supermarket, ask the butcher. It’s also easy to de-bone chicken thighs yourself, just slice around the bone with a sharp knife to remove it.
Chicken Thighs with White Beans and Greens is based on an Mediterranean classic.
The Italians have been combining beans and greens for generations, and when you add chicken thighs into the mix, you’ve got an extraordinarily hearty (and healthy!) meal that comes together in a flash.
Same pan, same Mediterranean theme, but Tuscan Chicken Thighs takes it in a different direction…
This recipe is so rich and comforting for chilly nights. I make sure to keep the browned chicken skin above the bubbling sauce so it stays nice and crispy.
Chicken Satay is traditionally made with boneless skinless chicken thighs.
The meat is marinated in coconut milk and rich spices which makes it even more tender and delicious. The little chunks cook in no time, making this perfect for busy weeknights.
Coffee Rubbed Chicken Thighs are uniquely delicious!
Finely ground coffee brings a deep, roasty bitterness that plays perfectly against brown sugar, paprika, and spices. The result? A smoky-sweet crust with a hint of espresso that makes chicken unforgettable.
French Mustard Chicken is a classic bistro dish
(poulet à la moutarde) is an authentic and easy chicken thigh recipe that’s richly flavored and quick to make.
Creamy Lemon Basil Chicken is comfort food with a refreshing kick
Everybody in the family loves this sunny meal ~ be sure to use plenty of fresh basil.
Chicken Thighs in Lemon Sauce is a favorite around here
It proves that everyday meals don’t have to be bland or boring. The silky smooth Greek lemon sauce is super creamy, but surprisingly dairy free. It’s made with the same easy technique I use in my Greek Avgolemono Soup.
Chicken Thighs Marsala is so luxurious it can double as a romantic meal for two.
Marsala wine and a touch of cream make this a restaurant quality dish. Marsala is an Italian fortified wine with a long shelf life, and it’s the secret ingredient in lots of different sauces. But be sure to look for a good quality Marsala, and skip anything labeled ‘cooking wine’.
This Creamy Chicken with Wild Rice and Mushrooms is a welcome back to fall meal if there ever was one.
Wild rice and mushrooms are a classic Autumn pairing, and make these chicken thighs special. Wild rice is easy to cook and adds such a pop of color and texture to one pot dinners like this.
Lemon Chicken Biryani introduces an exotic note into the family dinner routine
And yet this chicken thigh recipe still comes together in about an hour. Once you’ve got the handful of easily available spices in your cupboard this aromatic chicken and rice dish will become a staple in your dinner rotation.
Easy Cassoulet is the elegant French take on chicken thighs for dinner
Chicken thighs mingle with sweet Italian sausage, fennel, and white beans in this classic French meal.
More chicken recipes you use with thighs
Haven’t tried these yet, look delicius
My thigh repertoire was getting tired – these are totally doable and look great! Thanks for making tasty, easy. I’ll be going through these asap!!
Thanks Ralph ~ I love the phrase ‘making tasty easy’, I might have to steal that!
A good trade then! Thanks!
Each and every one looks like a winner to me! I’m ready to move on to fall recipes and these look like a great place to start. Yum!
All great and yummy recipes!! So funny I am about to post a chicken collection as well!! Have a great weekend Sue!
You can never have too many chicken recipes 😉
I really like chicken thighs because they are tasty, meaty and inexpensive. Plan to try some of your recipes real soon. They look delicious.
Thanks Roy!