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    30 Best Chicken Thigh Recipes

    September 13, 2022

    From Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes to classics like French coq au vin, we’ve rounded up our 30 favorite chicken thigh recipes for your cooking (and eating) delight!

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    one pot braised chicken and kale with white beans in a cast iron skillet

    30 Best Chicken Thigh Recipes

    If you’ve ever wondered what chicken thighs are good for, well we’re here to tell you! Chicken thighs are good for SO many things, and they deserve their moment in the sun! Or rather, their moment on your stove top, grill or in your Instant Pot! Chicken thighs are loaded with protein, and although they are “dark meat”, they’re healthier than you think. Best of all? They’re usually much more affordable than chicken breasts, not to mention vastly more flavorful. In light of this, we’ve rounded up our 30 best chicken thigh recipes to make it easier than ever for you to start cooking this fantastic and overlooked cut of chicken. From simple one-pot braised chicken thighs to Instant Pot chicken thigh recipes to classics like French coq au vin, there’s a chicken thigh recipe here to suit every taste, every season and most dietary concerns, too!

    Coq Au Vin with carrots, mushrooms and chicken in a pot with a spoon
    homemade chicken cacciatore recipe in a while pot with olives and tomatoes.

    Our Best Bone-in Chicken Thigh Recipes

    • One-Pot Braised Chicken with Kale and White Beans (cover photo). Crispy seared chicken thighs get a slow braise alongside kale and creamy white beans. The whole healthy mess is finished with briny capers and fresh tarragon in this easy one-pot chicken dinner.
    • Coq au Vin. Coq au vin, sounds fancy right? In reality, this classic French dish is a simple, one-pot wonder full of layered, rich flavors that is perfect for your next family meal or dinner party.
    • Chicken Cacciatore. Chicken thighs get meltingly tender thanks to a simmer in tomatoes, red wine, garlic and olives in this classic Italian chicken cacciatore recipe.
    Braised Chicken with Potatoes, shallots, lemons in a white braiser with Chive Butter Sauce
    Baked chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet surrounded by asparagus, olives, and tomatoes.

    Baked Chicken Thigh Recipes to Write Home About.

    • Braised Chicken with Potatoes and Chive Butter Sauce. Moist, tender chicken thighs, rich with the flavor of their essential chicken-ness, enhanced simply by fresh garlic, shallots and lemon—what could be better than that?
    • Baked Chicken Thighs With Asparagus. Bathed in a garlicky white wine-Dijon sauce and cooked with kalamata olives and cherry tomatoes, these crispy-skinned baked chicken thighs with asparagus are all gussied up for spring.
    • Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs. When you bake skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs in the oven, the skin crisps up beautifully, holding in all of the flavorful juiciness of that rich, tender dark meat. It’s pure, roasted chicken thigh magic.
    • Spicy Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Garlic, honey, soy sauce and sriracha make a dreamy marinade for chicken thighs in this easy recipe.
    French onion chicken in a braiser with gruyere cheese and caramelized onions
    chicken Provençal with green and black olives, tomatoes, shallots, and white wine in a large braising pot

    Get These Chicken Thigh Recipes in Your Oven ASAP!

    • French Onion Chicken. You love French onion soup, right? Insanely savory and covered in gooey cheese, what’s not to love?! Well, French onion chicken thighs are basically French onion soup, made into a hearty one-pot dish.
    • Chicken Provençal. Green olives, tomatoes, shallots, fresh thyme, white wine and plenty of garlic create a deeply fragrant, flavorful base for this delicately date-sweetened braised chicken thigh Provençal.
    • One Pot Chicken Stuffing Casserole. Crispy bites of Italian sausage finish this classic stuffing recipe. Nestle some chicken thighs into the stuffing as it bakes, and voila—a one-pot chicken stuffing casserole that everyone will love.
    • Braised Chicken With Lemon and Olives. Simply braised with Meyer lemons and olives, this lovely recipe shows how little help chicken thighs need to be transformed into a beautiful meal.
    lemongrass chicken thighs with scallion oil and Asian bbq sauce on a plate with a serving spoon
    Peanut Sauce Marinated Chicken Skewers on a plate with cucumber salad

    Our Best Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes

    • Lemongrass Chicken Thighs. Seasoned with some of the defining flavors of Vietnamese cuisine—heady, citrusy, lemongrass, tons of fresh ginger, and fish sauce—these succulent chicken thighs are a true treat.
    • Peanut Sauce-Marinated Chicken Skewers. When is chicken for dinner (again!?!) not lame? When you start with moist, juicy chicken thighs, and marinate them in a rich and creamy peanut sauce until they are imbued with tons of nutty, garlicky, soy sauce-y goodness.
    • Cilantro Lime Chicken Thighs. A quick marinade of lime, garlic, bright cilantro, and a touch of honey transforms boneless, skinless chicken thighs into just the juicy, tender surge of sunshine that your dinner routine needs.
    • Chicken Street Tacos With Mango Slaw. Citrus marinated chicken thighs, juicy mango and cabbage slaw come together atop warm corn tortillas to make this yummy weeknight meal.
    Za'atar chicken sheet pan dinner with roasted cauliflower
    chicken marbella on a plater with olives, capers, dates and a butter pan sauce

    Easy, Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs For Dinner.

    • Za'atar Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner. Another super easy chicken thigh sheet pan dinner! For this one, we're dressing up basic cauliflower and chicken with our latest favorite secret ingredient: za’atar!
    • Sheet Pan Chicken Marbella. Chicken Marbella is all about a certain Moroccan-ish (by way of the Upper West Side of Manhattan) combination of flavors—olives, capers, prunes, garlic—all used to make chicken thighs absolutely irresistibly delicious!
    • Five Spice Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner. This five spice chicken sheet pan dinner is so delicious and easy, we guarantee it’ll become the new standard for weeknight dinners.
    • Sheet Pan Olive Bar Chicken. Full of rich flavors, almost NO prep, and using only one pan, this skinless chicken thigh recipe is destined to become a new favorite.
    Shredded chicken thighs covered with marinara over polenta in a bowl with fresh basil
    instant pot chicken tagine in a large white bowl topped with fresh mint and cilantro

    More Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes we Know You're Going to Love.

    • Instant Pot Chicken Marinara With Polenta. How about a 3-ingredient chicken thigh recipe that's ready in just under 30 minutes. Helloooo dinner!
    • Instant Pot Chicken Tagine. An intoxicating blend of spicy, sweet and savory ingredients make this Instant Pot chicken tagine a memorable chicken thigh recipe that’s ready fast.
    • Jerk Chicken Tacos. Fresh lime juice and homemade jerk seasoning liven up the simple grilled chicken thighs that fill these fun pineapple-loaded jerk chicken tacos.
    • Sticky Ginger Soy Glazed Chicken. A delightfully sticky, gingery glaze takes chicken thighs to new heights. YUM.
    easy homemade harissa grilled bone-in chicken thighs on a platter with harissa aioli
    Grilled Chicken Shawarma Kebab skewers with lemon, hummus and a tomato cucumber salad

    Delicious, Grilled Chicken Thigh Recipes.

    • Easy Harissa Chicken. This easy, quick harissa chicken—made with a jar of roasted red peppers, plenty of garlic, and smoked paprika—is sure to become your new favorite dinner!
    • Grilled Chicken Shawarma Kebab. A warmly spiced marinade and a quick turn on the grill and dinner is done!
    • Grilled Jerk Chicken Kebabs. Loaded with warm spices and brightened up with pineapple and peppers this family-friendly dinner is always a hit!
    perfectly crispy fried chicken on a platter shown with a bowl of sliced pickles and pickled cabbage.
    pan-fried Boneless Skinless Crispy Chicken Thighs on a plater

    Pan-Fried or Deep Fried? Either Way, we Love These Fried Chicken Thigh Recipes.

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    30 Best Chicken Thigh Recipes

    Questions & Reviews

    Join the discussion below.

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    • Linda

      What if you don't have a metal cooling rack? What else can I use?

      if you don't use the metal cooling rack the chicken won't get as crispy since it will be sitting in juices.

    • SHANA

      I love your recipes. Do you have a book?

      Thank you! Our first book comes out this April! You can pre-order it on our website or Amazon!

    • Deborah

      This is a terrific recipe, and I have used it many times. I love the recipes from Modern Proper, always a hit.

      Thanks Deborah!

    • Gail

      Recipes often say their recipe is the best...NO this is the best recipe for chicken thighs that is so easy!

      Thank you Gail, we appreciate that! Glad you loved it.

    • jenn

      The crispy baked chicken thighs were a hit in my house! Can't wait to try some more of these recipes.

      Thanks Jenn! We are excited for you to try more as well!