10+ Bone in Chicken Thigh Recipes You’ll Love for Easy, Flavorful Meals

Bone-in chicken thighs really shine when you want meat that’s juicy and full of flavor. They’ve got a bit more fat than other cuts, so they stay moist and tender.

You can use bone-in chicken thighs in tons of easy, tasty recipes that don’t take much time or fuss.

Cooking these thighs gives you crispy skin and meat that stays moist inside. Whether you bake, slow cook, or pan-sear, there’s a method for everyone.

These recipes are spot-on for dinners that feel special but don’t ask for too much effort.

1) Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Herb Spice Rub

You can get crispy baked chicken thighs with just a simple herb spice rub. Usually, it’s garlic, rosemary, and sage—classic flavors that soak right into the meat.

Pat the chicken thighs dry first so the skin gets extra crispy. Rub the herbs and spices all over.

Bake at 425°F (220°C) until they’re cooked through. If you want even crispier skin, broil them for a couple of minutes at the end.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
3. Mix garlic powder, rosemary, sage, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
4. Rub olive oil over chicken thighs.
5. Sprinkle the herb mix evenly on each thigh.
6. Place chicken on a baking sheet skin-side up.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes until cooked through.
8. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp skin.

2) Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs

Garlic butter baked chicken thighs are so simple and loaded with flavor. The butter keeps the chicken juicy while it bakes, and the garlic brings a savory kick.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for crispy skin and tender meat. It all comes together in one pan, which is a win for cleanup.

Perfect for a weeknight when you want something good but don’t want to fuss.

Ingredients

• 4 to 5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning or your choice of herbs
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Lemon juice (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Melt butter and mix with minced garlic and herbs.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
4. Place chicken in a baking pan and brush with garlic butter.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until skin is crispy and chicken is cooked through.
6. Spoon butter over chicken before serving.

3) Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Vegetables

You can toss chicken thighs and veggies in your slow cooker and let them do their thing. The chicken gets super tender as it cooks, and the veggies soak up all that flavor.

Carrots, potatoes, and green beans work well, but you can swap in whatever you like. A few sprigs of rosemary or thyme add a cozy, savory note.

This recipe is a real lifesaver when you want dinner ready and waiting at the end of the day.

You can find a simple version of this recipe with juicy chicken thighs and fresh vegetables at this slow cooker chicken and veggies recipe.

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 3 carrots, peeled and cut
• 3 potatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 cup green beans
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup chicken broth

Cooking Instructions:

1. Place carrots, potatoes, and green beans in the slow cooker.
2. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, rosemary, and thyme.
3. Put chicken on top of the vegetables.
4. Pour chicken broth over everything.
5. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or high for 3-4 hours until chicken is cooked and vegetables are tender.

4) Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Thighs

You can whip up crispy chicken thighs in the air fryer in no time. Pat the chicken dry to help the skin crisp up, then season with whatever you like—salt, pepper, garlic powder, you name it.

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Put the thighs in skin side down for 12 minutes, then flip and cook another 12 minutes.

You’ll get juicy chicken with that satisfying crispy skin, and it’s ready in under half an hour. Not bad, right?

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder (optional)
• Cooking spray or 1 tbsp oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
2. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder if using.
3. Preheat air fryer to 400°F (200°C).
4. Place thighs skin side down in the air fryer basket.
5. Cook for 12 minutes, then flip thighs skin side up.
6. Cook for another 12 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
7. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

5) Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Paprika

You can make oven-baked chicken thighs with just garlic and paprika for a warm, smoky flavor. Garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper come together fast and taste great.

Season the thighs well, then bake until the skin turns golden and the meat is tender. If you want more crisp, broil them for a couple of minutes at the end.

This one’s easy and goes with just about any side—roasted veggies, rice, you name it.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1½ teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Mix garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Rub the spice mix evenly over the chicken thighs.
5. Place thighs on a baking sheet, skin side up.
6. Bake for 35-40 minutes until cooked through.
7. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes for crispier skin.

6) Braised Chicken Thighs in Red Wine Sauce

Braised chicken thighs in red wine sauce? That’s comfort food right there. Start by browning the thighs for a little color and flavor.

Then, simmer them in red wine along with garlic, mushrooms, and maybe olives if you’re into that. The wine makes the chicken super tender and adds depth.

This dish feels fancy but isn’t much work. I like it with mashed potatoes or a hunk of bread to mop up that sauce.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 cup red wine
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup olives (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat olive oil in a pan and brown chicken thighs on both sides.
2. Remove chicken and sauté garlic and mushrooms until soft.
3. Add wine and olives, then return chicken to the pan.
4. Cover and simmer on low heat for 45 minutes at 325°F (163°C).
5. Check seasoning and serve warm.

7) Grilled Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs

Grilled lemon herb chicken thighs taste so fresh and zesty. The marinade uses lemon juice, zest, garlic, olive oil, and a handful of fresh herbs.

Let the chicken soak in the marinade for at least half an hour. Grill over medium heat until the skin is crispy and the meat hits 165°F (74°C).

This one’s great for a quick dinner or a weekend cookout. Can’t go wrong with lemon and herbs on the grill.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• Juice and zest of 2 lemons
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix lemon juice, zest, garlic, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add chicken thighs and coat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat grill to medium heat.
4. Grill chicken for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through and crispy.
5. Check temperature with a meat thermometer to ensure 165°F (74°C).
6. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For more details on this recipe, see grilled lemon chicken recipes.

8) Honey Garlic Glazed Chicken Thighs

You can get juicy, sticky-sweet chicken thighs with a honey garlic glaze. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for the best texture.

The glaze is just honey, garlic, soy sauce, and a splash of sesame oil. Brown the chicken first, then add the sauce and finish it in the oven.

It’s simple, quick, and honestly pretty addictive. Serve with rice or veggies if you want a full meal.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• ½ cup honey
• ¼ cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Brown chicken thighs skin side down in a skillet over medium heat until crispy.
3. Mix honey, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes.
4. Pour the sauce over chicken, then transfer skillet to oven.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes until cooked through and glaze is sticky.

9) Spicy Cajun Baked Chicken Thighs

Spicy Cajun baked chicken thighs are surprisingly easy to whip up, and they turn out juicy with a punch of flavor. I like to start by rubbing the chicken with a homemade Cajun seasoning mix.

That mix? Usually, it’s paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, and black pepper. It’s got a nice kick but isn’t overwhelming.

After seasoning, I sear the thighs for a couple minutes per side in a hot skillet. This step locks in the juices and gives the skin a golden, crispy edge.

Once they’re browned, I pop them in the oven until they’re cooked through and the outside gets that irresistible crispiness.

Pair these with roasted potatoes or maybe some sautéed veggies—honestly, whatever you’ve got on hand. If you want a Cajun seasoning recipe to follow, here’s a solid one.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C).
2. Mix the paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, black pepper, and salt together.
3. Rub this seasoning all over the chicken thighs.
4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
5. Sear the chicken for about 2 minutes per side, just until browned.
6. Move the chicken to a baking dish or keep it in the oven-safe skillet.
7. Bake for 25–30 minutes, or until the internal temp hits 165°F (74°C).
8. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before diving in.

10) Sticky Soy Ginger Chicken Thighs

Sticky soy ginger chicken thighs are a weeknight favorite in my house. They come out juicy, and that glossy sauce? It’s sweet, salty, and has a little zing from fresh ginger.

The sauce hugs every bite, and honestly, it’s hard not to sneak a taste straight from the pan. You cook everything in one pan, so cleanup’s a breeze.

Serve these with rice, or maybe some steamed veggies if you’re feeling healthy. The trick is letting the sauce bubble and thicken until it clings to the chicken—just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t go too far.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp grated fresh ginger
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• Freshly cracked pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Crank your oven up to 400°F (200°C).

2. Grab a skillet, add some oil, and set it over medium heat.

3. Brown the chicken thighs on both sides—don’t rush it, let them get some color.

4. In a bowl, mix together soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, brown sugar, and a bit of pepper.

5. Pour that sauce right over the chicken in the pan.

6. Slide the whole pan into the oven. Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken’s cooked through and smells amazing.

7. Take the chicken out for a minute. Put the pan with the sauce back on the stove and simmer it until it goes thick and sticky—keep an eye on it, it happens fast.

8. Drizzle that glossy sauce over the chicken and serve it up.

For more tips, check out Sticky Ginger Soy Glazed Chicken recipes from Budget Bytes.