10+ Easy Chicken Thigh Recipes for Quick and Delicious Meals

Chicken thighs are a fantastic pick for quick, tasty meals. They cook faster than other cuts and always stay juicy and full of flavor.

You can whip up simple, delicious dishes with chicken thighs, even if you’re short on time or not exactly a kitchen pro.

If you’re looking for easy chicken thigh recipes that fit a busy schedule, you’re in the right place. You’ll find ways to get dinner on the table fast, whether it’s a weeknight or just a laid-back night in.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs
• Basic seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder)
• Optional herbs or sauces

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven or skillet.
2. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and any spices you like.
3. Cook the chicken thighs until they reach 165°F (74°C) inside.
4. Let them rest a few minutes before serving.

1) Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

Garlic butter chicken thighs are one of those go-to dishes you can throw together any night. The chicken stays juicy and tender, soaking up the rich garlic butter sauce.

You don’t need much—just garlic, butter, and a few seasonings. Bake it for about 30 to 40 minutes at 400°F (200°C), and the flavors really come together.

The garlic butter crust on top is just so good. I’d serve this with rice, veggies, or maybe a simple salad if you’re feeling healthy-ish.

Ingredients

• 4-6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Melt butter and stir in minced garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme.
3. Put chicken thighs in a baking dish.
4. Brush the garlic butter mixture over the chicken.
5. Bake 35-40 minutes until cooked through and the skin’s nice and crispy.
6. Let them rest a few minutes before serving.

2) Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Honey garlic chicken thighs make for a sweet, garlicky meal that’s honestly hard to mess up. The sticky sauce clings to the chicken and makes every bite juicy.

You don’t need a long list of ingredients, and you can cook these in the oven or on the stove. Pretty flexible for busy nights.

If you like it sweeter, add more honey. Want a bit of tang? A splash of vinegar does the trick. Some folks toss in red pepper flakes for heat—totally your call.

Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs (bone-in or boneless)
• 1/3 cup honey
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce (low sodium)
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
3. Mix honey, garlic, soy sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes in a bowl.
4. Put chicken in a baking dish and pour the sauce over it.
5. Bake 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
6. Spoon extra sauce over the chicken before serving.

Here’s a honey garlic chicken thighs recipe with a video if you want a visual guide.

3) Skillet Crispy Chicken Thighs

Crispy chicken thighs in a skillet? Super easy and satisfying. Just start with the chicken skin-side down in a cold pan—cast iron works best.

Let the fat render out and crisp up the skin as it heats. Cook over medium-high heat until golden, then finish in the oven so the meat stays juicy.

You can add fresh herbs or a quick pan sauce if you want to jazz it up. The crispy skin is the real star here.

Ingredients

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Salt and pepper
• Optional: garlic, fresh herbs (like thyme or rosemary)

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Place chicken skin-side down in a cold skillet.
3. Cook over medium-high heat until skin is crispy (about 7-10 minutes).
4. Flip thighs and move skillet to the oven.
5. Bake 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
6. Let rest before serving.

4) Oven Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs

Oven baked boneless chicken thighs couldn’t be easier. Just season them with salt, pepper, or whatever spices you like.

Lay them out on a baking sheet. Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).

Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes until juicy and cooked through. This method keeps things simple and the meat stays tender.

Try a dry rub or a quick sauce before baking if you want to switch up the flavor. Just keep the pieces in one layer for even cooking.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, or any spice mix you like

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rub chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and any spices.
3. Arrange thighs on a baking sheet in a single layer.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
5. Let them rest before serving.

5) Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Broiler Finish

Bake chicken thighs until they’re juicy, then blast them under the broiler for a crispy skin. This trick gives you a golden crust without drying out the meat.

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35 to 40 minutes. After that, broil for 2 to 3 minutes—watch closely so they don’t burn.

Add your favorite spice rub before baking for extra flavor. The broiler step makes a big difference.

Ingredients:

• Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Pat chicken dry and rub with olive oil and spices.
3. Arrange thighs on a baking sheet.
4. Bake 35-40 minutes until internal temp hits 170°F (77°C).
5. Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp up the skin.
6. Let rest before serving.

6) One-Skillet Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs

Sometimes you just want a dinner that feels cozy but doesn’t leave you with a pile of dishes. This one-skillet creamy garlic chicken totally fits the bill.

Season the chicken, brown it in a skillet, and then make a quick garlic cream sauce in the same pan. It’s ready in about half an hour.

Serve it with rice or veggies to soak up the sauce. Super easy, super satisfying.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• Salt and pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup chicken broth

Cooking Instructions

1. Season chicken with salt and pepper.
2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Brown chicken thighs for 5-7 minutes per side, then set aside.
4. Add garlic to the skillet and cook 1 minute.
5. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, stir to combine.
6. Return chicken to skillet and simmer 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
7. Serve warm.

Want more tips? Check Cook With Dana.

7) Marinated Roasted Chicken Thighs

Marinated roasted chicken thighs are just packed with flavor. Mix up a marinade with soy sauce, garlic, honey, and spices.

Let the chicken soak in it for at least 30 minutes (overnight is even better). Roast at 425°F (220°C) for about 35-40 minutes until golden and crispy.

Serve with your favorite sides. If you’re into grilling, you could even toss these on the barbecue for a smoky twist.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken thighs
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix soy sauce, garlic, honey, pepper, and paprika in a bowl.
2. Coat chicken thighs and marinate 30 minutes or overnight.
3. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
4. Place thighs on a baking sheet and roast 35-40 minutes until crispy and cooked through.
5. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

8) Easy Oven-Baked Skinless Chicken Thighs

Juicy, flavorful chicken thighs with barely any effort? Yes, please. Just season your boneless, skinless thighs with salt, pepper, and whatever spices you’re into.

Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet, making sure they aren’t crowded.

Bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. Check that the internal temp hits 165°F (74°C) so you know they’re done.

You’ll end up with tender chicken that goes with just about any side.

Ingredients

• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• Optional: garlic powder, paprika, or your favorite spices

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Rub chicken with olive oil, salt, pepper, and spices.
3. Arrange thighs on a baking sheet, spaced out.
4. Bake 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
5. Let rest a few minutes before serving.

9) Garlic Crusted Chicken Thighs

Garlic crusted chicken thighs are seriously easy and come out super tasty. The outside gets that irresistible crispy garlic layer, while the inside stays juicy—what more could you want on a weeknight?

You don’t need much for this one. Just a handful of ingredients and you’re good to go.

Searing the thighs in a hot pan really makes the crust pop. After that, you’ll drizzle on a quick garlic butter sauce for extra flavor.

If you’re after something fast but loaded with garlicky goodness, this one’s a winner.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken thighs.
3. Melt butter in a skillet over medium-high heat.
4. Toss in the garlic and let it cook for about a minute, just until it smells amazing.
5. Lay the chicken in the skillet and cook each side for 4-5 minutes, until they look golden.
6. Move the skillet to the oven and bake for another 10-12 minutes.
7. Spoon the garlicky butter from the pan over the chicken when you serve it.

Want more tips or details? Check out garlic chicken thighs at RecipeTin Eats.

10) Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs with Herbs

Let’s talk about juicy baked chicken thighs. I just grab some fresh rosemary, thyme, and oregano, then sprinkle them over the chicken.

A little garlic and olive oil? Absolutely—those make everything better. I swear this combo keeps the chicken moist and adds a golden, herby finish.

I usually roast the thighs at 400°F (200°C). Thirty to forty minutes does the trick for crispy skin and juicy meat.

Double-check with a thermometer; you want at least 165°F (74°C) inside. No one wants undercooked chicken, right?

I love this recipe because it’s so low-effort. Fresh herbs give the chicken a bright, natural flavor—no need for anything fancy.

Ingredients:

• 4–6 chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cooking Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
3. Mix olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. Coat chicken evenly with the herb mixture.
5. Place thighs on a baking sheet, skin side up.
6. Roast for 30-40 minutes until skin is crispy and internal temperature hits 165°F (74°C).
7. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.