Newsletter
Kid Food
cooking food
dinner

27 Quick and Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes for Weeknight Dinners

Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
Kelli FosterCulinary Producer
I'm a recipe developer, food writer, stylist, and video producer (and The Kitchn's Dinner Therapist), with more than 10 years professional experience. Since graduating from The French Culinary Institute, I've authored 3 cookbooks: Buddha Bowls, Plant-Based Buddha Bowls, and The Probiotic Kitchen.
published Apr 11, 2023
We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
pollo ai pepperoni in cast iron skillet
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Ben Weiner
Pollo ai Peperoni Recipe (Cacciatora Southern-Style Chicken Stew with Peppers)

Quick and easy weeknight dinners are an absolute must in my meal plan. And on nights when chicken is on the menu, I turn to a pack of meaty chicken thighs more than anything else. When it comes to narrowing down the best chicken recipes, thighs have a permanent spot at the top of my list – they’re inexpensive, packed with flavor, and don’t dry out quite as easily as lean chicken breasts. Plus, with a roster of recipes ranging from sheet pan suppers to chicken skillet dinners, I know that with little time and effort I can turn chicken thighs into a seriously flavorful dinner.

Here are more than 27 quick chicken thigh recipes to keep on repeat.

Recipes with Boneless Chicken Thighs

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are a true weeknight wonder. From their budget-friendly price tag to their quick cooking time, what’s not to love? And there’s really nothing they can’t do when it comes to dinner. Pick up a pack for a sheet pan supper, skillet dinner, stir-fry, or even a pot of chili.

1 / 14
Credit: Perry Santanachote
Teriyaki Chicken Bowl
Rice, steamed broccoli, and carrots turn sweet and savory teriyaki chicken into a complete meal.
Go to Recipe
2 / 14
Credit: Michelle Tam & Henry Fong
Sheet Pan Pineapple Chicken
This Paleo-friendly dinner is a riff on Huli Huli chicken, a classic Hawaiian barbecue staple featuring a sweet and savory sauce made with pineapple juice, ketchup, and soy sauce.
Go to Recipe
3 / 14
Credit: Kelli Foster
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ranch-enthusiasts will love this cheesy, flavor-packed casserole.
Go to Recipe
4 / 14
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Ben Weiner
Pollo ai Peperoni (Cacciatora Southern-Style Chicken Stew with Peppers)
Super-tender chicken and sweet bell peppers are cooked in a tangy white wine sauce in this light summer dinner.
Go to Recipe
5 / 14
Credit: Lauren Volo
Oven-Roasted Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs
This is foolproof method for tender, juicy chicken thighs that belongs in your weeknight dinner roster.
Go to Recipe
6 / 14
Credit: Maria Siriano
Maple-Mustard Chicken Thighs
While the ingredient list for this sauce is short, don’t let it fool you — it certainly doesn’t skimp on flavor.
Go to Recipe
7 / 14
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Instant Pot Weeknight Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowls
Filled with chicken, rice, black beans, corn, and salsa, these burrito bowls come together quickly with an Instant Pot.
Go to Recipe
8 / 14
Credit: Emma Christensen
Honey & Chili Chicken Thighs with Creamy Cilantro Sauce
Just wait til you taste the sauce on these meaty thighs.
Go to Recipe
9 / 14
Credit: Ghazalle Badiozamani
Dill Pickle Chicken
Spicy and tangy pickle juice is the one-ingredient brine that makes the most tender and delicious chicken you will eat all summer.
Go to Recipe
10 / 14
Credit: Elizabeth Stark
Orange Chicken and Kale Stir-Fry
This keep and easy stir-fry is one to keep on repeat.
Go to Recipe
11 / 14
Credit: Lauren Volo
Chorizo Chicken Chili
This 30-minute chili, featuring the flavorful power couple of chorizo and chicken, is what you make on Wednesday when you hit a wall on what to make for dinner.
Go to Recipe
12 / 14
Credit: Kelli Foster
Baked Chicken with Artichokes, Cinnamon, and Preserved Lemons
This one-pan dinner will also make your kitchen smell amazing.
Go to Recipe
13 / 14
Credit: Henry Fong
Chicken Curry in a Hurry
Michell Tam of Nom Nom Paleo makes her chicken curry in a hurry with a velvety coconut milk base, seared chicken thighs, and a spicy kick of curry paste.
Go to Recipe
14 / 14
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Lemongrass Grilled Chicken
This versatile grilled lemongrass chicken can be used in sandwiches, on noodle bowls, or just about any other time you crave chicken.
Go to Recipe

Recipe with Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Pick up a pack of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and you can be certain you’re in for something totally fantastic for dinner. Best of all, it won’t take a lot of time or effort to pull together a satisfying meal. Whether you start with a screaming-hot skillet or opt for a simple sheet pan supper, an irresistible crispy-skinned chicken dinner isn’t far off.

1 / 13
Credit: Kelli Foster
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Thanks to a soy-lime marinade flacked with punchy bits of garlic and ginger (that does double duty as a glaze at the end of cooking!), each piece of crispy-edged, juicy chicken is packed with a ton of flavor.
Go to Recipe
2 / 13
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
Herby Lemony Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
Lemon adds acidity, brightness, and freshness to this easy skillet meal.
Go to Recipe
3 / 13
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Jesse Szewczyk
One-Skillet Greek Lemon Chicken and Potatoes
Crispy chicken thighs and tender potatoes join forces in this lemony, oregano-rich skillet dinner.
Go to Recipe
4 / 13
Credit: Lauren Volo
Roasted Chicken Thighs with Fennel & Lemon
The simple method of roasting fennel wedges alongside chicken thighs allows the vegetable to absorb the rich juices from the meat while they caramelize on the sheet pan, making them incredibly addictive.
Go to Recipe
5 / 13
Credit: Kelli Foster
Pan-Seared Crispy Chicken Thighs with Blistered Tomatoes and Basil
With just five ingredients and about 30 minutes on the clock, you can be feasting on crispy-skinned, tender chicken piled high with beautiful tomatoes and herbs.
Go to Recipe
6 / 13
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Lemon Thyme Chicken Thighs
Skillet-cooked chicken thighs are seasoned simply with fresh lemon and thyme for a quick and easy dinner that's totally classic.
Go to Recipe
7 / 13
Credit: Maria Siriano
Balsamic & Mustard Glazed Chicken Thighs and Figs
Fresh figs make this skillet dinner feel especially fancy.
Go to Recipe
8 / 13
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Skillet Creamy French Mustard Chicken
Chicken thighs braise quickly in a sauce made with two kinds of mustard and just a touch of cream.
Go to Recipe
9 / 13
Credit: Joe Lingeman
Sheet Pan Chicken Souvlaki
Crispy chicken thighs are flavored with lemon and herbs, then partnered with red potatoes and sweet bell peppers for dinner ready in 30 minutes.
Go to Recipe
10 / 13
Credit: Chungah Rhee
Sheet Pan Chicken with Red Potatoes and Sage
Meet one of our favorite sheet pan supper combos - chicken thighs, little red potatoes, and herbs.
Go to Recipe
11 / 13
Credit: Andrea D'Agosto
Arnold Palmer Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs
The flavors of the drink — bitter, sweet, and sour — are a perfect match for roasted chicken thighs.
Go to Recipe
12 / 13
Credit: Lauren Volo
Grilled Chicken Thighs with Chimichurri
Tossing the thighs with some of the sauce before it’s grilled ensures that the flavorful sauce will soak into every corner of the chicken.
Go to Recipe
13 / 13
Credit: Photo: Joe Lingeman; Food Styling: Anna Stockwell
One-Skillet Chicken Thighs with Pearl Couscous and Eggplant
This one-skillet dish features crispy chicken thighs, pearl couscous, and eggplant simmered in a flavorful tomato base. A complete dinner with minimal dishes to wash? Yes, please!
Go to Recipe

This post was originally published on Kitchn. Read it there: 27 Quick Chicken Thigh Recipes for Easy Weeknight Dinners

More to Love from Cubby