33 Fast and Delicious Chicken Thigh Recipes to Make for Dinner
Inexpensive, tasty, and quick to cook, chicken thighs are exactly what your weeknight dinner routine needs. Here, we're sharing our favorite recipes to prepare when you want a change of pace.
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Few proteins are quite as versatile as chicken. While chicken breasts are probably your family's go-to protein during the week, we're making the case for preparing chicken thighs on busy evenings, too. Because of their higher fat content, thighs are loaded with flavor and tend to be more forgiving than breasts—they're harder to overcook or dry out. What's more, they're quick-cooking and more affordable than white meat, which makes them an all-around winner for busy families looking to eat well and stick to a budget. And once you've seen all of the mouthwateringly delicious chicken thigh recipes our food editors have created, adding this protein to your weeknight dinner repertoire is a no-brainer.
If you're looking for an easy meal to add to your weeknight dinner menu, then give the Chicken with Herbed Pea Purée and Spinach, pictured here, a try. It takes just 35 minutes (including prep time!) to make and is loaded with nutrients. If you want to get dinner on the table quick, chicken thighs are the protein you need: Most of our recipes come together in one hour or less, and the result is a fast, satisfying dinner that the entire family will enjoy.
It's important to note that chicken thighs can be used in just about any recipe that might otherwise call for breasts: slather them in barbecue sauce before cooking them on the grill, shred them into your favorite soups, or coat them in panko breadcrumbs before baking for a delightfully crunchy dish. The options truly are endless. Plus, whether you like to sauté, use an Instant Pot, fry, or bake your way to a delicious dinner, you're in luck: There's no wrong way to prepare chicken thighs, and we have recipes that cover every cooking method in the slides ahead.
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Chicken-Thigh Piccata with Broccoli Rabe
Chicken thighs bring depth to a lemony piccata, and you'll find that thighs are always a savvy sub for breasts: They cost significantly less, and are tastier and juicier, too.
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Spiced Chicken Kebabs with Pita
This recipe comes together in only 40 minutes, and uses a full pound of chicken thighs, which means there's plenty for the whole family. Za'atar seasoning takes the flavor profile up a notch.
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Chicken Scarpariello
A favorite for a reason, this recipe involves braising the chicken thighs in a broth infused with rosemary, shallots, and pickled peppers.
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Creamy Mustard Chicken with Couscous
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are browned to perfection, then simmered in a French-inspired pan sauce featuring mustard, thyme, and wine. It's a delicious dinner that comes together in under an hour.
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Instant Pot Chicken Curry
Cook chicken thighs with fresh grated ginger, coriander seeds, Spanish paprika, chile powder, and cinnamon sticks in your Instant Pot on those nights when you want a curry and a meal that can be on the table in only 30 minutes.
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Chicken-and-Mushroom Congee
With 30 minutes of prep and on the table in just one hour, this chicken and mushroom congee is a warming meal that's sure to delight. We recommend using short-grained rice, like arborio, for a creamier consistency.
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Thyme-and-Sesame Crusted Chicken Thighs
Looking for a quick dinner with a bit of crunch? These chicken thighs are coated in thyme and sesame panko breadcrumbs for a crispy bite everyone will love.
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Instant Pot Chicken Adobo and Rice
The classic dish gets a speedy upgrade thanks to the Instant Pot. Chicken thighs sauté with salt and pepper for deliciously crisp skin in this fast take on a traditional meal.
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Spicy Basil Chicken Stir-Fry
Tight on time? In just 35 minutes your family will be enjoying this tasty stir fry. It gets its bold flavor from soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar.
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Roasted Chicken with Kale and Tomato Panzanella
For a hands-off meal, roasted chicken just can't be beat. This quick summer dinner is delicious, and it's on the table in 50 minutes.
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Instant Pot Chicken Thighs Marbella
This retro dish features chicken thighs salty olives, and sweet prunes atop polenta. It's a satisfying, lip-smacking meal that's worth recreating for your family.
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Skillet Chicken with Sundried Tomatoes and Chickpeas
This Mediterranean-inspired chicken dinner uses two skillets to ensure the chicken thighs cook through and keeps the skin crisp.
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Baked Chicken Veracruz
Although this dish is typically prepared with seafood instead of chicken, we think the use of chicken thighs is a delicious way to switch things up.
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Chipotle Chicken and White-Bean Soup
Not only is this take on chicken tortilla soup brimming with flavor, but it also uses one pot—and it only takes 35 minutes to make. You can't go wrong!
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Saffron-Yogurt Chicken Kebabs
Marinating the chicken thighs overnight allows for quick and easy cooking the next day.
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Chow Mein
Make your own version of this Chinese-American restaurant staple at home in just 25 minutes. Peeled ginger, fresh vegetables, and noodles round out the recipe.
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Chopped Barbecue-Chicken Sandwich
Sometimes, you just want old-fashion barbecue for dinner. This chopped chicken sandwich uses dark meat from the thighs to maintain its juicy, moist texture.
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Green Chicken-Enchilada Pies
Mild green tomatillo sauce gives this enchilada recipe its green hue. Chicken thighs are shredded and added to the cheesy tortillas for a delicious bite.
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Quick Chicken Curry with Spinach and Peas
Expand your chicken dinner repertoire with this simple Indian-inspired dish. Spinach and peas raise the nutrition factor.
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General Tso's Chicken
If takeout isn't an option, try preparing our take on this classic dish at home.
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Cashew-Chicken Kebabs
These Thai-inspired kebabs will be everyone's new favorite meal. It helps that it's quick and easy to make, too!
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Easy Chicken and Shrimp Paella
The traditional Spanish dish gets a kick from chorizo while chicken and shrimp add even more protein and flavor to each bite.
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Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
Few thing are as satisfying on a cold winter day than chicken soup. This one is made with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, and gets added heartiness from wild rice.
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Cornflake-Fried Chicken
Whether you enjoy these fried chicken thighs with waffles or on their own, this is an easy recipe you'll want to make time and time again.
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Chicken Chili with Hominy
Chicken thighs maintain their moisture better than white meat, which means this chicken chili tastes just as good when eaten as leftovers as it does on the first night.
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Quick Coq au Vin Blanc
An updated take on the classic French dish, this dinner uses dry white wine along with low-sodium chicken broth as its base.
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Chicken and Dumplings
The epitome of comfort food, this recipe combines chicken thighs, delicious dumplings, and loads of vegetables for a memorable meal that's on the table in just one hour.
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Grilled Marinated Chicken Thigh
A tasty main that's on the table in under 30 minutes? Yes, please! Serve these grilled chicken thighs alongside your favorite roasted vegetables for a satisfying meal.
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Chicken and Mushroom Tagliatelle
This one-pot pasta dinner is nothing short of delightful. Cremini mushrooms add a welcome earthy taste to this comforting meal.
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Crispy-Chicken and Egg Sandwich
Serve this crispy chicken thigh and egg open-faced sandwich for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—you really can't go wrong.
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Green-Curry Chicken Pot Pie
Chicken thighs cook with homemade green curry in this update on the traditional favorite.
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Hearty Chicken Chili
Amp up the heat with this spicy chicken chili. It's a mouthwatering meal that serves six, so serve it to the whole family or save leftovers for tomorrow's lunch.