10+ Chicken Thigh Recipes You’ll Love for Easy, Delicious Meals

Chicken thighs are a go-to for a lot of people. They’re juicy and full of flavor.

You can cook them in so many ways, so they fit right into your weekly routine. They offer tons of options for cooking, whether you’re feeling fancy or just need something quick.

Bake them, grill them, or toss them in a sauce—chicken thighs are always easy to work with. Just knowing a few basic recipes can make dinner way less stressful.

1) Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with Cilantro

Honey garlic chicken thighs are about as simple and tasty as it gets. The honey brings a mellow sweetness, and the garlic kicks up the flavor.

Cilantro on top keeps things fresh and bright. It balances that sticky, rich sauce.

You can throw these together on a busy weeknight. Serve with rice or veggies if you want a full meal.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Coat the chicken thighs with the sauce and put them in a baking dish.
4. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
5. Sprinkle chopped cilantro on top right before serving.

For more details, see this honey garlic chicken thighs recipe.

2) Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Crunchy Skin

Pat the skin dry before baking to get that crunchy finish. It really does make a difference.

Season well with salt, pepper, and whatever spices you like. Put the thighs skin-side up so the heat hits the skin.

Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 35-45 minutes. Just leave them alone—don’t flip or fuss.

Want even more crunch? Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end but keep an eye on them so nothing burns.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
3. Rub olive oil over the chicken.
4. Sprinkle on salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
5. Place thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 35-45 minutes—don’t turn them.
7. Broil for 2-3 minutes for extra crispiness.
8. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

See detailed tips at crispy baked chicken thighs from The Salty Marshmallow.

3) Oven-Roasted Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Roasting bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in the oven makes them super juicy. Season them with salt, pepper, and your go-to spices.

Pat the skin dry to help it crisp up. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).

Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Arrange the thighs skin-side up.

Roast for 30 to 40 minutes until the skin’s golden and the meat is cooked through. If you like, broil for a couple minutes at the end.

Let the chicken rest for a few minutes to keep it juicy.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
3. Rub with olive oil, then season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
4. Place on a baking sheet, skin-side up.
5. Roast for 30-40 minutes until skin is crispy and juices run clear.
6. Optional: Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up the skin.
7. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

4) Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Spicy Sauce

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs really soak up spicy sauces. You can season them well and cook them quick.

Try a sauce with honey, garlic, and chili for a sticky, spicy kick. It just clings to the meat.

Bake or pan-fry the thighs—whatever you’re in the mood for. This one’s a weeknight winner.

Serve with rice or veggies for a balanced plate.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp honey
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 tsp chili flakes (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix honey, garlic, chili flakes, olive oil, salt, and pepper together.
3. Coat chicken thighs in the sauce.
4. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
5. Let them rest for 5 minutes before serving.

5) Grilled Chicken Thighs for Shawarma

Grilled chicken thighs make shawarma extra juicy and flavorful. Marinate the thighs with cumin, paprika, turmeric, and garlic for bold flavor.

Grill on medium-high, turning every few minutes. Look for golden color and nice char marks.

Cook until the internal temp hits 165˚F (74˚C)—about 8-10 minutes per side. That’s the sweet spot for juicy meat.

Serve with flatbread, fresh veggies, or a cool tzatziki sauce. It’s an easy way to bring shawarma home.

Ingredients

• 2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and spices in a bowl.
2. Coat chicken thighs with the marinade. Let them sit for at least 1 hour.
3. Preheat grill to medium-high.
4. Grill thighs, turning every 3-4 minutes.
5. Cook until internal temp is 165˚F (74˚C).
6. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

6) Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Cheese

Stuffed chicken thighs are a fun way to shake up dinner. Fill boneless, skinless thighs with fresh spinach and creamy cheese.

Spinach brings a mild, green flavor, and cheese makes everything smooth and rich. Swiss, cream cheese, or ricotta all work.

Roll up the thighs and bake or pan-sear until cooked through. It’s honestly not as fussy as it sounds.

Check out this Spinach and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs recipe if you want more details.

Ingredients

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup fresh spinach, chopped
• ½ cup cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil spray or olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Mix spinach and cheese in a bowl. Add salt and pepper.
3. Spread the mixture over each thigh.
4. Roll up and secure with toothpicks if you need to.
5. Spray a baking dish with oil, place the thighs inside.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through and juices run clear.
7. Let them sit a few minutes before serving.

7) Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

Cilantro lime chicken thighs are fresh and zesty, and you can whip them up fast. Lime juice and cilantro give a bright, herby punch.

Marinate the chicken in lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, cumin, and chili powder. Let it soak for a bit so the flavors really get in there.

Bake or grill—either way, you’ll end up with juicy, flavorful chicken. Pair with rice, salad, or grilled veggies.

You can always add more garlic or tweak the spices if you want. That’s the beauty of it.

Ingredients

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

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix olive oil, cilantro, lime juice, garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add chicken thighs and coat well. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
4. Bake on a sheet for 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
5. Serve with your favorite sides.

Find more recipes like this at All the Healthy Things.

8) Chicken Thighs Braised in Honey and Garlic

Braising chicken thighs in honey and garlic makes them meltingly tender and flavorful. The honey’s sweetness mellows out the garlic.

Brown the thighs in a hot skillet first. Add garlic, honey, soy sauce, and a splash of vinegar.

Let the chicken simmer in the sauce until it’s cooked through and juicy. Serve with rice or veggies for a cozy meal that feels a little special—but honestly, it’s easy.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Brown chicken thighs on both sides.
2. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
3. Toss the garlic into the same pan. Cook until it smells amazing—just a minute or so.
4. Pour in the honey, soy sauce, and vinegar. Give it a good stir.
5. Put the chicken back in. Turn the heat to low.
6. Cover and let everything simmer for about 25-30 minutes. The chicken should be cooked through.
7. Serve while it’s hot.

9) Mayonnaise and Lime Zest Marinated Chicken Thighs

It’s honestly so easy to get juicy chicken thighs with just mayonnaise and lime zest. The mayo keeps the meat moist, and the lime zest wakes everything up with a bright kick.

I like to toss in a bit of grated ginger for a gentle warmth. Salt and pepper help round out the flavors.

Let the chicken marinate for at least an hour. It makes a difference.

When you cook the thighs—whether you grill or bake—they stay tender and pick up loads of flavor. This is one of those recipes that feels like cheating it’s so simple, but it works every time.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the mayonnaise, lime zest, ginger, salt, and pepper.
2. Add the chicken thighs and coat them really well.
3. Cover and pop in the fridge for at least 1 hour.
4. Preheat your grill or oven to 375°F (190°C).
5. Cook the chicken until it’s done—about 20-25 minutes, or until the thickest part hits 165°F (75°C).
6. Let the chicken rest a few minutes before you dig in.

If you want more details, check out the Ginger-Lime Chicken Recipe.

10) Chicken Thigh Fajitas with Peppers and Onions

Fajitas with chicken thighs, peppers, and onions? Yes, please. Just slice everything up and cook it all together over medium-high heat.

You want the chicken to stay juicy and the onions to get a little char. That’s where the flavor lives.

Pile the filling into tortillas. Top with salsa, sour cream, or whatever you’re feeling that day.

Ingredients

• 1 pound chicken thighs, sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, sliced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 tablespoons cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat some oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

2. Toss in the sliced chicken thighs. Cook them for about 5 minutes.

3. Add the bell peppers and onions right into the pan.

4. Sprinkle in chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper.

5. Keep cooking for another 7-10 minutes. Stir things around often, and let the chicken get fully cooked and a little charred at the edges.

6. Serve it up hot with tortillas or whatever sides you like best.

For more details, check chicken thigh fajitas with peppers and onions.