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by Lisa Bryan
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Updated Dec 01, 2023
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When it comes to making the best dinners, I’m slightly obsessed with these chicken thigh recipes. From one-pan meals to classic baked chicken thighs, this tender cut of meat guarantees a juicy experience every time.
5 Reasons to Love Chicken Thighs
Let’s squash the age old debate of which is better – chicken thighs vs chicken breasts? It’s not that one is better than the other, they’re just different. And both can be enjoyed as part of a healthy, well-rounded diet. But here’s five reasons why I do love a good chicken thigh recipe:
- Incredibly Juicy and Crispy: Chicken thighs have more fat that chicken breasts – and that’s not a bad thing. It translates to more flavor and overflowing juiciness. Plus, the skin allows for a crispy golden outer layer.
- Hard to Overcook: If you often end up with dry, bland, over-cooked chicken breasts, switch to chicken thighs. The darker meat will stay moist, even if you accidentally over cook it.
- Economical: Bone-in chicken thighs are about 1/3 the cost of boneless skinless chicken breasts. That’s a huge savings when it comes to eating healthy on a budget and serving a large family.
- Versatile: When it comes to grilling, searing, and braising chicken thighs are your best friend. They can handle high-heat and long cook times equally as well.
Easy & Healthy Chicken Thigh Recipes for Dinner
If you’re a fan of simple yet impressive dinners, keep reading. These chicken thigh recipes will show you how to roast, sear, and sauté thighs with the best sweet and savory rubs, marinades, and sauces.
Greek Sheet Pan Chicken
This all-in-one meal creates the juiciest chicken thighs and beautifully caramelized vegetables. Bonus – it makes for a great meal prep dinner!
Teriyaki Chicken
Who says you can’t have restaurant-quality teriyaki chicken right at home? With this easy homemade teriyaki sauce, steamed veggies, and a fresh bed of rice – a delicious dinner is served in just 20 minutes.
One Pan Chicken And Rice
Nothing beats easy one pan dinners, especially when they’re this good. This recipe shines bright with Mediterranean flavors and perfectly baked fluffy rice.
Baked Honey Mustard Chicken
Don’t sleep on this herbed honey mustard marinade. It’s just what you need to jazz up a weeknight dinner with juicy chicken thighs!
Butter Chicken
This is Indian comfort food at its best! Juicy, marinated chicken thighs are smothered in a velvety, rich curry sauce. Then served with rice for the ultimate dinner combo.
BBQ Chicken
Come grilling season, this BBQ chicken is a quintessential cookout dish. Plus, I’ve got my secret homemade BBQ sauce to make with it!
Greek Lemon Chicken
This lemon herb marinade is what makes this Greek chicken recipe so satisfying! Plus, it’s super easy to make for the best weeknight dinner.
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
It’s time to skip the deep fryer and opt for these baked chicken thighs. Not only are they super tender, but they also have deliciously crispy skin. All thanks to the secret dried herb mix.
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Craving vibrant, bold flavors? These humble thighs are soaked in the best garlicky cilantro lime flavor, with a hint of sticky sweetness. Then, quickly seared in a pan for the perfect golden skin.
Roasted Balsamic Chicken With Brussels Sprouts
Another delicious way to cook your chicken thighs is straight on a sheet pan. And this recipe uses a homemade balsamic glaze that perfectly coats the chicken, Brussels sprouts and diced onions.
Basil Chicken With Kumquats
This is another one pan dish that really lets seasonal kumquats shine. When roasted, sliced kumquats become deliciously sweet and they pair beautifully with the basil chicken.
How to Meal Prep and Store Leftovers
The great thing about chicken thighs is that they stay juicy and flavorful, even after sitting in the fridge or freezer, and being reheated. That makes them your best friend when it comes to meal prep.
- To Store: you can store leftovers in the fridge for 3 to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months in an airtight container.
- To Reheat: it really depends on the recipe, but most often you can microwave leftovers for a couple of minutes until the meat is warmed through. If you’re trying keep the skin crispy, reheat in the oven at 350°F.
Want more recipes? Scroll through all the chicken recipes on this site for endless dinner inspiration.
10+ Best Chicken Thigh Recipes
5 from 10 votes
Prep: 10 minutes mins
Cook: 1 hour hr
Total: 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan
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Description
Chicken thigh recipes are the best for impressively easy, and healthy dinners! Enjoy this roasted basil chicken with kumquats for a burst of flavor. And feel free to switch the kumquats with cherry tomatoes for a year-round alternative.
Ingredients
- 4 chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup kumquats
- 1 red onion, sliced into wedges
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- salt and pepper
- fresh basil , for garnishing
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit.
Place the chicken thighs, sliced kumquats and red onion in a cast iron or oven safe dish. Drizzle olive oil over everything and use your fingers to make sure everything is coated, including both sides of the chicken.
Season the chicken with the dried basil, salt and pepper.
Transfer the pan to the oven and cook for 40-50 minutes or until cooked through.
If you'd like the top of the chicken more golden, turn the top broiler on for the last 5 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 19g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 111mg | Sodium: 91mg | Potassium: 324mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 170IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: chicken recipes, chicken thigh recipes
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