For Dark Meat Lovers: Our Best Chicken Leg and Thigh Recipes

Roasting chicken thighs with grape tomatoes, olives, and shallots couldn't be simpler. The resulting tender meat and crisp skin are set off by fresh mint and briny feta.

Sheet pan suppers for the win! Here, chicken thighs and drumsticks are rubbed up with the Middle Eastern spice mixture known as za'atar and roasted along with fingerling potatoes, red onion, kale, and lemon.

Better than takeout, chicken-thigh style: This fast, Thai-inspired dinner features a flavorful sauce made with soy sauce, oyster sauce, and sugar. There's also fiery Thai chiles and plenty of fresh basil. 

Chicken thighs are marinated in spiced yogurt, then broiled and stewed in a tomato cream sauce for this popular Indian dish.

What makes these roasted chicken legs red hot? A fiery combination of hot sauce, smoked paprika, and roasted red-pepper brine.

It doesn't get more crowd-pleasing than a buttermilk fried chicken thigh in a squishy bun. The homemade tartar sauce doesn't hurt either.

The traditional Spanish chicken-and-rice casserole gets its distinctive flavor from white wine, saffron, and plenty of aromatics. Nestle seared chicken legs and thighs into the seasoned rice and cook everything together in the oven.

Deliciously charred kebabs of chicken-thigh meat, zucchini, cipollini onions, and cremini mushrooms get Mediterranean flair from a simple seasoning of lemon juice and chopped parsley.

The most delicious breaded chicken cutlets. We start with chicken thighs which are butterflied into cutlets—the recipe explains how. It's a smart move for flavor and for budget, they're much better priced than chicken breast cutlets. Then panko provides the crunchy coating for these quick-cooking cutlets.

Pantry ingredients deliver big flavor here: two kinds of mustard—smooth Dijon and whole-grain—and maple syrup are transformed into a flavorful paste for chicken legs.

Savor the flavor of spicy buffalo wings in sandwich form when you simmer chicken thighs in your slow cooker with crushed tomatoes and hot-pepper sauce. Serve the shredded chicken on hamburger buns with pickled vegetables on the side.

Yes, your green salad needs some dark meat! Drumsticks are given a quick turn on the grill along with boneless skinless breasts, then tossed with butter lettuce, peas, fresh mint, and a garlicky lemon-Dijon dressing.

Whole chicken thighs serve as the satisfying base of this classic Mexican soup. They're browned then simmered with tomato paste, Savoy cabbage, chicken broth, herbs, and aromatics.

Tequila and lime don't just pair well in a margarita; they also make a tasty marinade for baked chicken when mellowed with honey. The best part? The drumsticks are equally delectable warm or at room temperature, so feel free to make ahead.

In this easy one-pot dinner, chicken legs are braised with freekeh, a roasted, cracked wheat. Olives and cherry tomatoes round out the dish, it's a super tasty take on chicken and rice. 

Ginger, garlic, coconut milk, and a splash of fish sauce create layers of flavor in this quick and easy Thai-inspired supper that starts with boneless, skinless thighs. You'll want to spoon the spicy pineapple salsa on everything!

Better known as coq au vin, this rustic French chicken stew gets its richness from bacon and red wine. Serve with crusty bread or buttered noodles.

Hearty and nutritious, this soup stars butternut squash and chicken thighs flavored with onions, cumin, and coriander. Roasting the chicken and vegetables before adding them to the broth adds wonderful depth of flavor.