10+ Chicken Thighs Recipes to Spice Up Your Dinner Tonight

Chicken thighs are a go-to for lots of folks. They’re flavorful, easy to cook, and honestly, they just work in so many recipes.

You get juicy meat, tender texture, and a bit of forgiveness if you overcook them. Whether you’re new in the kitchen or just want something simple, chicken thighs deserve a spot on your menu.

You can whip up all kinds of tasty dishes with chicken thighs using just a handful of ingredients. With a few basic steps, you’ll have dinner on the table in no time.

Here’s a basic starting point:

Ingredients

• Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs
• Salt
• Pepper
• Olive oil or cooking oil
• Optional: garlic, herbs, spices, honey, soy sauce, lime, cilantro

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and any other preferred spices.
3. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
4. Brown chicken thighs for 3–4 minutes on each side.
5. Transfer to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until cooked through.
6. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.

1) Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Broiled Skin

Want that perfectly crispy skin? Bake your chicken thighs skin-side up at 400°F (200°C) for about 35-45 minutes. That’ll cook them through and start to render the fat.

When they’re done baking, switch on your broiler for 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them—nobody likes burnt skin. This step gives you that crunchy, golden crust.

Don’t move the chicken while it bakes. Just let it be. That’s how you get the skin to crisp up right.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: garlic powder or paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat chicken thighs dry and rub olive oil over them.
3. Season with salt, pepper, and any spices you like.
4. Place the thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 35-45 minutes without moving them.
6. Switch oven to broil and broil chicken for 3-5 minutes until skin is crispy.
7. Remove and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

2) Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs with Cilantro

This one’s a crowd-pleaser. You get juicy, tender chicken with a sweet honey and garlic glaze, finished off with fresh cilantro.

The sauce caramelizes as it cooks, giving the thighs a shiny, sticky coating. Bake or pan-fry—whatever’s easiest tonight.

Cilantro sprinkled on top adds a fresh, herby kick. Serve it with rice or roasted veggies for a complete meal.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons honey
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat.
4. Brown chicken thighs for 3-4 minutes per side.
5. Mix honey and garlic, then pour over chicken.
6. Transfer to oven and bake for 20 minutes.
7. Sprinkle cilantro before serving.

Find more details at Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs Recipe.

3) Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs with Homemade Spice Rub

Make your own spice rub with garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper. It’s simple and adds a ton of flavor—no need for a long marinade.

Coat the chicken thighs well with the spice mix. The skin crisps up in the oven while the meat stays juicy.

Bake at 425°F (220°C) for about 35-40 minutes. Check for an internal temp of 165°F (74°C) before serving.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly cracked black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
3. Pat chicken thighs dry and rub spice mix all over.
4. Place thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet.
5. Bake for 35-40 minutes until skin is crispy and internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).

4) Oven-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter

This recipe is as easy as it gets. Herb butter melts under the skin, locking in moisture and boosting flavor.

Roast at high heat for a crispy outside. Use fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra punch.

Let the chicken rest after roasting. This keeps the juices inside, making every bite worth it.

Ingredients

• 5 boneless skinless chicken thighs
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Mix the butter, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
3. Rub the herb butter under the chicken skin.
4. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken.
5. Place chicken on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes.
6. Let chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

For more tips, see herb butter chicken recipes here.

5) Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs with Lemon Garlic Sauce

This dish is all about fresh flavors and simplicity. The chicken cooks quickly in a bright, garlicky lemon sauce that keeps it tender.

Start by seasoning and browning the chicken. Then, make a sauce with lemon juice, garlic, and chicken stock.

Let it all simmer together until the chicken’s cooked through. It goes great with rice or veggies.

If you want, you can bake the chicken instead for less cleanup.

Ingredients

• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ cup chicken stock
• Juice and zest of 2 lemons
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
3. Brown chicken on both sides, about 5 minutes per side.
4. Remove chicken and add garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, and chicken stock to the pan.
5. Return chicken to the pan and simmer for 10-12 minutes until cooked through.
6. Serve hot with sauce spooned over the top.

You can find more ideas on cooking lemon garlic chicken thighs here.

6) Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs

Cilantro lime chicken thighs just feel fresh and lively. Marinate them in lime juice, cilantro, olive oil, and spices for juicy, flavorful meat.

Bake or grill—whatever’s easiest for you. Lime gives a zesty kick, and cilantro adds a herbal note.

Serve with rice, salad, or veggies. It’s a no-fuss way to get dinner on the table.

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 chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

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

For more details, visit this Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs recipe.

7) Stuffed Chicken Thighs with Spinach and Cheese

Stuffed chicken thighs always feel a little fancy, but they’re actually super easy. Fill them with spinach and cheese for a creamy, fresh bite.

Sauté spinach to get rid of extra water, then mix it with cream cheese and Parmesan or Swiss. Stuff, roll up, and bake until golden.

This meal packs in protein and greens all in one. The cheese keeps the chicken moist, which is always a win.

Ingredients:

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 cup chopped fresh spinach
• 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan or Swiss cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil spray

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Sauté spinach in a pan until wilted. Let it cool.
3. Mix spinach with cream cheese and Parmesan or Swiss cheese.
4. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper.
5. Spread the cheese mixture onto each thigh and roll them up.
6. Place stuffed thighs in a baking dish and spray lightly with cooking oil.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until cooked through and golden on top.

Find more tips for stuffed chicken thighs with spinach and cheese at Julia’s Album.

8) Sticky Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Sticky soy glazed chicken thighs are surprisingly easy to whip up. The sauce comes together with soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.

As the chicken cooks, that sauce transforms into a sweet, savory glaze. It clings to the thighs, making every bite a little addictive.

Brown the thighs in a pan to get things started. Pour in the sauce and let it simmer until it thickens and the chicken gets tender.

Pair these with rice or steamed veggies—honestly, whatever you have on hand. It’s a quick meal that still feels pretty special.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp fresh ginger, grated
• Freshly cracked black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat a pan over medium heat and brown chicken thighs on both sides.
2. In a bowl, mix soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and ginger.
3. Pour sauce over chicken and simmer for 10-15 minutes, until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through.
4. Sprinkle with freshly cracked black pepper before serving.

9) Spicy BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs

Spicy BBQ baked chicken thighs come together with just a handful of ingredients. The chicken gets coated in a bold mix of spices for heat and flavor.

Pop them in the oven until the skin crisps up and the meat stays juicy. Use whatever barbecue sauce you like—sweet, smoky, tangy, or all three.

Baking keeps things simple and the thighs turn out tender every time. Serve with veggies or rice if you want a full meal.

If you like a little kick but don’t want to fuss, this one’s for you.

Ingredients

• 6 bone-in chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• ½ cup barbecue sauce

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Mix olive oil, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
3. Rub the spice mix all over the chicken thighs.
4. Place the thighs on a baking sheet lined with foil.
5. Bake for 25 minutes, then brush with barbecue sauce.
6. Bake for another 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.

10) Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms

Chicken thighs with mushrooms in a slow cooker—now that’s easy comfort food. The chicken turns out juicy, and the mushrooms bring a mellow, earthy vibe.

Toss in garlic and onion to deepen the flavor. Add a spoonful of Dijon mustard or a sprinkle of oregano if you’re feeling fancy.

Let the slow cooker do its thing while you get on with your day. The flavors meld together in a way that only slow cooking can.

Serve it with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes. Whatever you like, really.

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 chicken thighs
• 8 oz mushrooms, sliced
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Put the chicken thighs in your slow cooker.

2. Toss in the mushrooms, onion, and garlic on top of the chicken.

3. In a bowl, stir together the chicken stock, Dijon mustard, oregano, salt, and pepper. Pour that mixture over everything in the slow cooker.

4. Set it to low and let it cook for about 6 hours. Check if the chicken’s nice and tender—sometimes it takes a little longer, depending on your slow cooker.

5. Plate it up with whatever sides you like best.

If you want more details (or just want to see how someone else does it), check out this slow cooker chicken and mushrooms recipe.