36 Chicken Thigh Recipes That’ll Have You Switching To The Dark Side

Winner, winner, chicken thighs for dinner! If you’ve ever found yourself yearning for a juicier, more flavorful chicken dinner, then it’s time to embrace the dark side—chicken thighs! With a touch more fat and a whole lot of flavor, chicken thighs are the unsung heroes of weeknight cooking. Whether you’re baking, braising, grilling, or frying, these versatile cuts always deliver succulent, mouthwatering results that will have you wondering why you didn’t make the switch sooner.

Say goodbye to dry, lackluster chicken dinners and hello to the tender, flavorful goodness of chicken thighs. From budget-friendly meals to easy weeknight dinners, these chicken thigh recipes are here to elevate your cooking game. Whether you prefer them crispy, juicy, or fall-off-the-bone tender, we’ve got the perfect recipe to showcase the delicious potential of this often overlooked cut of chicken.

Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

A mouthwatering Hawaiian grilled chicken dish, bursting with flavors of succulent meat, served on a plate adorned with juicy pineapples and vibrant tomatoes. Perfect for a romantic date night.
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: xoxoBella.

This recipe for Hawaiian BBQ chicken is so easy. It’s a delicious combination of chicken, BBQ sauce, pineapple, and more. Chicken is a neutral-tasting option and suits all kinds of flavors, so pairing it with Hawaiian ingredients works perfectly.
Get the Recipe: Hawaiian BBQ Chicken

Incredible Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Incredible Buffalo Chicken Thighs.
Incredible Buffalo Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Buffalo Chicken Thighs are perfectly spiced, crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside, perfect for Buffalo wing lovers who want more of a meal!
Get the Recipe: Incredible Buffalo Chicken Thighs

Skillet Pineapple BBQ Chicken

Skillet Pineapple BBQ Chicken.
Skillet Pineapple BBQ Chicken. Photo credit: Budget Bytes.

A quick pan sauce drenches tender chicken thighs and thick pineapple slices in this easy Skillet Pineapple BBQ Chicken.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Pineapple BBQ Chicken

Baked Chicken Thighs In Cast Iron Skillet

Baked Chicken Thighs In Cast Iron Skillet
Baked Chicken Thighs In Cast Iron Skillet. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

These cast iron skillet chicken thighs are so easy and absolutely delicious way to get crispy skin and juicy chicken, every time you make it!
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Thighs In Cast Iron Skillet

Lemon Garlic Recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Lemon Garlic Recipe For Crock Pot Chicken Thighs
Lemon Garlic Recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen.

Let’s dive right into a recipe for Crockpot Chicken Thighs that I have come to love. Loaded with lemon, garlic, and butter, this is one stand-out weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Garlic Recipe for Crock Pot Chicken Thighs

Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs.
Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Get Inspired Everyday.

These Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs are easy to make and great for easy weeknight meals and entertaining.
Get the Recipe: Skillet Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

Butter Chicken (Slow Cooker)

Butter Chicken (Slow Cooker).
Butter Chicken (Slow Cooker). Photo credit: Sugar and Soul.

Slow Cooker Butter Chicken with coconut milk has tender, moist chicken in a creamy, savory sauce that’s packed with authentic Indian flavor! Serve it up with rice or naan bread!
Get the Recipe: Butter Chicken (Slow Cooker)

Tandoori Chicken Thighs

Tandoori Chicken Thighs Recipe.
Tandoori Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Easy Chicken Recipes.

These tandoori chicken thighs are bursting with Indian flavors. Marinated in yogurt and seasoned with spices, they come out wonderfully tender and juicy!
Get the Recipe: Tandoori Chicken Thighs

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken.
Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Jo Cooks.

These Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken thighs are your new favorite chicken dish complete with a sweet and savory sauce, believe me it’s just that good.
Get the Recipe: Brown Sugar Garlic Chicken

Spinach And Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Spinach And Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs.
Spinach And Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Jo Cooks.

Spinach and Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs – simple and delicious recipe that’s healthy, easy and quick to put together.
Get the Recipe: Spinach And Swiss Cheese Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Marsala Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Marsala Chicken Thighs.
Slow Cooker Marsala Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: This Silly Girl’s Kitchen.

Cooking low and slow these Slow Cooker Marsala Chicken Thighs make a delicious and easy weeknight dinner that the whole family can enjoy.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Marsala Chicken Thighs

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs.
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Jo Cooks.

This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is a force to be reckoned with! Simple and deliciously baked chicken with a mustard and honey glaze!
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Pollo A La Coca-Cola

Pollo A La Coca-Cola.
Pollo A La Coca-Cola. Photo credit: Mama Maggie’s Kitchen.

Pollo a la Coca-Cola is made of tender, juicy chicken cooked in the most amazing sauce. Serve with rice and veggies for a yummy weeknight meal.
Get the Recipe: Pollo A La Coca-Cola

Baked Chicken With Soy And Garlic

Baked Chicken With Soy And Garlic.
Baked Chicken With Soy And Garlic. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This Oven Baked Soy Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe is easy, tasty, and healthy, the perfect blend of sweet and savory with soy sauce, garlic, molasses, and more!
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken With Soy And Garlic

Hot Honey Chicken Thighs

Hot Honey Chicken Thighs
Hot Honey Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Pink Owl Kitchen.

These hot honey chicken thighs are crispy on the outside and incredibly tender and juicy on the inside. The sweet and spicy hot honey sauce creates a heavenly sticky glaze on the crispy chicken skin!
Get the Recipe: Hot Honey Chicken Thighs

Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs

Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs.
Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

These sweet and sour chicken thighs are loaded with authentic flavor. It’s easy to make and a blast of flavor in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Sweet and Sour Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki Recipe
Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki Recipe. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki thighs are the easiest weeknight recipe ever. The teriyaki sauce is easily made with only a few ingredients and is gluten-free. Quick and easy instant pot pressure cooker dinners are the best!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Teriyaki

Easy Apple Cider Chicken

Easy Apple Cider Chicken.
Easy Apple Cider Chicken. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

This apple-glazed chicken is sweet and tangy with beautiful color and amazing flavor. This chicken recipe is easy to make and so good!
Get the Recipe: Easy Apple Cider Chicken

Creamy Chicken Thighs

Creamy Chicken Thighs.
Creamy Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Cheerful Cook.

Enjoy the simplicity and flavor of Creamy Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. This recipe delivers crispy skin, juicy meat, and a rich, creamy sauce.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs are so easy to make! Bone-in or boneless chicken thighs taste delicious, on a bed of rice!
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Chipotle & Lime Chicken Thighs

Chipotle and Lime Chicken Thighs.
Chipotle and Lime Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: The Stay At Home Chef.

Chipotle and Lime Chicken Thighs require only a handful of ingredients, can be cooked in the oven or on the grill, and are juicy, crispy, and full of smokey flavor!
Get the Recipe: Chipotle & Lime Chicken Thighs

Easy Honey Chicken Thighs

Easy Honey Chicken Thighs.
Easy Honey Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Make honey-roasted chicken thighs in an oven or air fryer for juicy honey chicken everyone loves. This easy recipe is perfect for weeknights.
Get the Recipe: Easy Honey Chicken Thighs

Sweet And Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Bbq chicken in a skillet with two forks, using Chicken Thighs.
Sweet And Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Budget Bytes.

These Sweet and Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs are moist, tender, and have a huge flavor with very little effort. Perfect for weeknight dinners!
Get the Recipe: Sweet And Spicy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Honey Lemon Soy Chicken Thighs

Honey Lemon Soy Chicken Thighs.
Honey Lemon Soy Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Kitchen Divas.

Bake up these honey lemon soy chicken thighs for a quick, easy, healthy, and delightful dinner meal!
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Soy Chicken Thighs

Baked Chicken Thighs

Baked Chicken Thighs.
Baked Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Kristine’s Kitchen.

How to make the best oven Baked Chicken Thighs! Perfectly seasoned and juicy, with crispy skin. One of our favorite chicken thigh recipes!
Get the Recipe: Baked Chicken Thighs

BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs.
BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Brooklyn Farm Girl.

Easy BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe. Throw these boneless chicken thighs in the crockpot for 2 and a half hours for an easy meal.
Get the Recipe: BBQ Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

Creamy Chicken Mushroom

Chicken thighs with mushrooms and sauce in a skillet.
Creamy Chicken Mushroom. Photo credit: The Endless Meal.

This Creamy Chicken Mushroom recipe is a healthy and flavorful dinner that is ready in only 30 minutes. Made with garlic chicken thighs and a delicious mushroom sauce that’s made creamy with healthy cashew butter.
Get the Recipe: Creamy Chicken Mushroom

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore.
Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore. Photo credit: Healthy Seasonal Recipes.

This Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore is the perfect set-it-and-forget-it dinner for weeknights. The chicken thighs are meltingly tender!
Get the Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Chicken Cacciatore

Juicy Stove Top Chicken Thighs

Juicy Stove Top Chicken Thighs.
Juicy Stove Top Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Diethood.

Perfectly golden, tender, juicy, skinless, and boneless chicken thighs prepared on the stovetop. Easy and quick chicken dinner!
Get the Recipe: Juicy Stove Top Chicken Thighs

Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Grilled chicken on a plate with green onions.
Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Seasonal Cravings.

Soy-Glazed Chicken Thighs have the juiciest and most tender meat under a wonderfully crispy chicken skin. This family favorite comfort food has only 4 basic ingredients, plus the chicken thighs for easy weeknight dinners.
Get the Recipe: Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs

Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs.
Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Deb’s Daily Dish.

Baked lemon pepper chicken thighs are simply marinated with seasonings, lemon, and olive oil. They are quickly pan-seared and roasted in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Bone In

A white plate with chicken and rice on it.
Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Bone In. Photo credit: PinkWhen.

Crock Pot Chicken Thighs are tender and full of flavor with this simple sweet and spicy sauce and seasoning mixture. Delicious bone-in chicken thighs are smothered with a blend of spices and garlic and covered in a mouthwatering sauce.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Chicken Thighs Bone In

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs in a white bowl on a table.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Dishes Delish.

This air fryer chicken thighs recipe is pure, tasty comfort food! This recipe serves up juicy and flavorful chicken every single time, with minimal cleanup. Plus it takes less than 30 minutes to cook!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Grilled Chicken Thighs

Grilled Chicken Thighs.
Grilled Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: My Everyday Table.

This grilled chicken thigh marinade recipe is simple and delicious! The soy sauce in the grilled chicken thigh marinade doesn’t really give it Asian flavors, but imparts a savory flavor and browns the chicken so well. One try and you’ll be hooked.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Chicken Thighs

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken, Potatoes, And Spinach.
Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken. Photo credit: Live Simply.

An easy chicken and veggie-inspired sheet pan dinner made with chicken thighs, homemade honey mustard sauce, potatoes, and spinach.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Honey Mustard Chicken

Mediterranean Chicken Thighs with Veggies

Mediterranean Chicken Thighs with Veggies.
Mediterranean Chicken Thighs with Veggies. Photo credit: Fanntastic Food.

Simple and flavorful sheet pan Mediterranean chicken thighs with veggies are a great weeknight meal, and the leftovers make a tasty lunch!
Get the Recipe: Mediterranean Chicken Thighs with Veggies

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