10+ Chicken Thighs Recipes for Every Occasion

Chicken thighs are a popular choice for home cooks looking for flavorful and affordable meals. These versatile cuts of meat can be baked, grilled, or sautéed, making them perfect for various recipes.

Whether you’re preparing a cozy dinner for your family or meal prepping for the week, chicken thighs can deliver delicious results.

You can enjoy delightful flavors by trying different spices and marinades. From sweet honey garlic to crispy baked options, there are plenty of chicken thigh recipes that cater to all taste preferences.

Get ready to explore a variety of cooking methods and discover new favorites for your dinner table.

1) Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Crispy baked chicken thighs are a delicious and easy meal option. They are juicy on the inside and have a crunchy skin on the outside. Perfect for dinner any night of the week!

To prepare, start by seasoning your chicken thighs with spices you like. You can use salt, pepper, and your choice of herbs.

Bake them at 400°F (200°C) for about 35–45 minutes.

You can also pop them under the broiler for a few minutes to make the skin extra crispy. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning.

Ingredients

• Bone-in chicken thighs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Your choice of spices or herbs

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and spices.
3. Place them on a baking sheet, skin side up.
4. Bake for 35–45 minutes.
5. Broil for a few minutes if you’d like extra crispiness.

2) Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Honey garlic chicken thighs make a delicious weeknight dinner. The sweet and savory flavors come together easily. This dish is perfect for busy nights when you want something tasty.

To make this meal, you’ll need chicken thighs, honey, soy sauce, garlic, and a few spices. It cooks quickly in a skillet, making it simple to prepare.

Start by marinating the chicken in honey and soy sauce. Add minced garlic for extra flavor.

Cook the thighs in a hot skillet until they’re golden brown and cooked through.

Serve the chicken with rice or vegetables to complete the meal.

Ingredients:

• 6 chicken thighs
• 1/3 cup honey
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix honey, soy sauce, vinegar, and garlic in a bowl.
2. Marinate chicken thighs in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Cook the chicken thighs for about 6-7 minutes per side.
5. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
6. Serve warm with your choice of sides.

3) Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

Cilantro lime chicken thighs are a flavorful and easy dish to prepare. The combination of fresh cilantro and zesty lime juice makes each bite delicious.

To start, you can marinate the chicken in a mix of olive oil, lime juice, and chopped cilantro. This adds amazing flavor and helps keep the chicken juicy.

You can cook the thighs in the oven or on a grill. Baking at 400°F (200°C) for about 25-30 minutes will give you perfectly cooked chicken.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.
2. Marinate chicken thighs in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Bake the chicken for 25-30 minutes, or until fully cooked.

Enjoy your delicious cilantro lime chicken thighs!

4) Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Spinach

Stuffed chicken thighs with spinach are a tasty and healthy option for dinner. The creamy filling is made with spinach and cheese, providing great flavor. You can bake them for a crispy outside and juicy inside.

Start by preparing your stuffing. Mix softened cream cheese, fresh spinach, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This gives you a rich and tasty filling.

Now, carefully open the chicken thighs and add the mixture inside. Roll them up and secure with toothpicks if needed.

Bake the stuffed thighs at 375°F (190°C) for about 30-35 minutes. You’ll enjoy a delicious meal that’s simple to make!

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix cream cheese, spinach, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Open chicken thighs and stuff them with the mixture.
4. Roll up the thighs and secure if needed.
5. Place in the oven for 30-35 minutes or until cooked through.

5) Chicken Thigh Shawarma

Chicken thigh shawarma is a delicious and easy dish that packs a lot of flavor. You can marinate the chicken with spices to create a tasty and tender meal.

For the marinade, combine lemon juice, garlic, and spices like cumin and paprika. Let the chicken thighs soak in this mixture for at least an hour for the best taste.

Cook the marinated chicken in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes until it’s fully cooked. You can also grill them for a smoky flavor.

Serve your chicken thigh shawarma in wraps or on rice. Add fresh vegetables and sauce for extra taste.

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken thighs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, juiced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• Olive oil, salt, and pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix lemon juice, garlic, and spices in a bowl.
2. Marinate the chicken thighs for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
4. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and cook for 25-30 minutes.
5. Slice and serve in wraps or with rice and veggies.

6) Soy Sauce Glazed Chicken Thighs

Soy sauce glazed chicken thighs are simple and delicious. The marinade is made with soy sauce, garlic, and a touch of honey for sweetness. This recipe is quick to prepare and perfect for a weeknight dinner.

To make this dish, start by marinating the chicken thighs for at least 30 minutes. You can even let them sit longer for more flavor. Then, cook them in a hot skillet until they’re brown and cooked through.

Here’s what you need:

Ingredients:

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions:

1. Mix soy sauce, garlic, and honey in a bowl.
2. Add chicken thighs and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Add chicken thighs and cook for 6-8 minutes on each side until browned and cooked to 165°F (74°C).

7) Spicy Roasted Chicken Thighs

You can enjoy spicy roasted chicken thighs for a flavorful meal. This dish offers a wonderful blend of heat and savory flavors. The marinade includes miso, ginger, and a chili-garlic paste for a nice kick.

Start by marinating the chicken thighs. Let them sit in the mixture for a few hours to soak up all the spices. Then roast them in the oven for a crispy skin that locks in the juiciness.

Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) for the perfect roasting temperature. Cook the thighs until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C) for safety.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons miso paste
• 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
• 2 tablespoons chili-garlic sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix miso, ginger, and chili-garlic sauce in a bowl.
2. Coat the chicken thighs with the mixture and marinate for at least 2 hours.
3. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Place the chicken on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper.
5. Roast for 35-40 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165°F (75°C).

8) Lemon Herb Grilled Thighs

Lemon herb grilled chicken thighs are a flavorful and easy dish to prepare. The bright taste of lemon combined with fresh herbs makes each bite refreshing. You can enjoy these thighs as a main dish or add them to salads and wraps.

To start, marinate the chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and your favorite herbs. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes. This step helps to infuse the flavors deeply into the meat.

Grill the thighs on medium heat—about 375°F (190°C)—for 6-7 minutes per side. You want them to be cooked through and have a nice golden color.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme (or other herbs)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs.
2. Add chicken thighs to the marinade.
3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
4. Preheat your grill to 375°F (190°C).
5. Grill the thighs for 6-7 minutes on each side.
6. Check that the chicken is cooked through before serving.

9) Maple Dijon Chicken Thighs

Maple Dijon chicken thighs offer a tasty blend of sweet and savory flavors. This dish is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight dinner. The chicken is marinated in a delicious sauce that combines maple syrup and Dijon mustard.

You will start by whisking together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, and a bit of soy sauce for extra flavor. Coat the chicken thighs in this mixture and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Next, roast them in the oven at 425°F (220°C) for about 25-30 minutes until they are cooked through. The result is tender, juicy chicken with a beautiful caramelized glaze.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. In a bowl, mix the Dijon mustard, maple syrup, and soy sauce.
3. Coat the chicken thighs in the mixture and let them marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet.
5. Roast for 25-30 minutes until fully cooked.

10) Teriyaki Chicken Thighs

Teriyaki chicken thighs are a delicious and easy dish to make. You can whip them up quickly and serve them with rice or vegetables.

The sweet and savory flavors of teriyaki sauce make this meal a family favorite.

To make this dish, you will need chicken thighs, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger. You can marinate the chicken for extra flavor and cook it in a skillet or bake it in the oven.

Enjoy this tasty meal any night of the week!

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ½ cup soy sauce
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, grated

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
2. Marinate the chicken thighs in the mixture for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). If using a skillet, heat it over medium heat.
4. Cook the thighs for 20-25 minutes in the oven. If using a skillet, cook them for about 7-10 minutes per side.
5. Serve hot over rice or with vegetables.