23 cheap, easy, delish chicken thigh recipes!

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Chicken thighs: the unsung hero of weeknight dinners and culinary delights! These juicy, flavorful cuts are not only easy to cook but also promise a delicious outcome every time. In this article, we’re putting the spotlight on chicken thigh recipes that will elevate your meals without the fuss. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or just starting out in the kitchen, get ready to be inspired by dishes that are both simple to whip up and irresistibly tasty.

Often overlooked in favor of the breast or wing, chicken thighs offer a richness that’s hard to beat. They’re versatile, budget-friendly, and soak up flavors like a sponge, making them a favorite for many mouthwatering dishes. As we delve deeper, you’ll discover a treasure trove of recipes that transform this humble cut into star-worthy meals. From crispy-skinned delights to tender, slow-cooked wonders, chicken thighs are about to become your go-to ingredient for easy and delectable dining.

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs on a platter.
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy

Big, meaty chicken thighs are cooked with onions and garlic to make a wholesome and delicious dish, and that gravy? OMG!!! It’d make an old shoe taste great – but serve it on mashed potatoes instead!
Get the Recipe: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Onion Gravy

Smoked Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs on a cutting board with tomatoes.
Smoked Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love

Smoked Chicken Thighs are smoking 101, just make extra because it’s terrific leftover in so many recipes!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Thighs

Chicken Paprikash

Chicken Paprikash on a platter with gravy.
Chicken Paprikash. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Made entirely in your Instant Pot, this easy meal has a thick, rich, and smoky gravy that transforms humble chicken thighs into a delish dinner!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Paprikash

Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

A plate of chicken thighs.
Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Cook What You Love.

Sticky sweet and loaded with garlic and honey, these easy peasy chicken thighs are bursting with flavor and juicy chicken! So easy and ready in literally minutes, you can be noshing on a delish meal in no time!
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs

Cream Cheese Chicken

Cream cheese chicken in a white skillet.
Cream Cheese Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This cream cheese chicken is your answer to boring weeknight meals! Seasoned with 5 flavor-packed spices, it’s creamy, indulgent & full of savory goodness.
Get the Recipe: Cream Cheese Chicken

Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Roasted chicken thighs with sweet potatoes and pecans.
Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

This dinner of chicken and sweet potatoes with caramelized pecans is so simple! Make everything on one sheet pan and dinner is ready in no time.
Get the Recipe: Sheet Pan Chicken & Sweet Potatoes

Sticky Thai Chicken

Thai chicken with sticky glaze and peanut garnish over white rice.
Sticky Thai Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

These sticky Thai chicken thighs are the perfect weeknight dinner. Ready in just 30 minutes, full of delicious Thai flavor and better than takeout!
Get the Recipe: Sticky Thai Chicken

Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Honey garlic chicken in a bowl served over rice.
Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken. Photo credit: Running to the Kitchen.

There’s no need for takeout when you can make this honey garlic chicken at home right in the slow cooker. With a sticky, sweet, addicting sauce (that’s way healthier than the Chinese takeout joint) and pieces of pineapple throughout, this EASY recipe will become a family favorite.
Get the Recipe: Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma

low angle shot of chicken shawarma on a white platter with harissa paste and tomatoes and cucumbers in the background.
Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Flavored with lemon juice, garlic, cumin, and other Mediterranean spices, this easy chicken shawarma recipe can be made entirely in your home oven. Or you can make it even more quickly using a combination of your Instant Pot and oven.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma

Gochujang Chicken

overhead shot of gochujang chicken with herbs and lettuce.
Gochujang Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Gochujang chicken is a delicious Korean recipe featuring the fermented red chile paste that is spicy and full of umami. This spicy Korean chicken recipe is easy to make either on the barbecue grill or in a grill pan on the stovetop.
Get the Recipe: Gochujang Chicken

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Overhead shot of a plate of chicken adobo with rice and scallions on the side.
Instant Pot Chicken Adobo. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

Instant Pot Chicken Adobo is a quick way to make this classic Filipino comfort food— tender chicken in a sweet and savory glaze.
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Adobo

Kung Pao Chicken

low angle shot of a bowl of kung pao chicken.
Kung Pao Chicken. Photo credit: All Ways Delicious.

This kung pao chicken is just like what you get at your favorite Chinese takeout restaurant. Tender bits of chicken, crunchy peanuts, a salty-sweet sauce, and a hit of spice all come together to make one delicious dish.
Get the Recipe: Kung Pao Chicken

Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

BBQ boneless chicken thighs on indoor grill.
Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

These juicy BBQ boneless chicken thighs will take your grill to the next level! Perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection.
Get the Recipe: Grilled BBQ Boneless Chicken Thighs

Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Bowl of black pepper chicken with chop sticks.
Chinese Black Pepper Chicken. Photo credit: Little Bit Recipes.

Discover the secret to a delicious black pepper chicken. This easy recipe will have you making a classic Chinese dish in no time.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Black Pepper Chicken

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Closeup overhead shot of 3 crispy chicken thighs in a black cast iron skillet.
Cast Iron Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

Ready in under 30 minutes, these Cast Iron Chicken Thighs have a wonderfully crisp, savory, salty exterior with a tender, juicy interior that can’t be matched.
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs

Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

A bowl of chicken and cabbage soup is shown on a rustic wooden cutting board with parsley and a red linen.
Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This Chicken and Cabbage Soup is a savory combination of chicken thighs, potatoes, vegetables, ginger, garlic, and spices. It’s a savory and delicious treat any time of year.
Get the Recipe: Chicken and Cabbage Soup with Ginger

Chicken Pastina Soup

A bowl of chicken pastina soup sits on a rustic wooden cutting board with lemons and dill in the background.
Chicken Pastina Soup. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This comforting and healthy savory Chicken Pastina Soup features tiny star-shaped pasta, chicken thighs, vegetables, lemon, and dill. It’s an easy weeknight meal that the whole family will love!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Pastina Soup

Lemon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Two crispy chicken thighs surrounded by lemon slices, mini sweet peppers, thyme, and cherry tomatoes.
Lemon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner. Photo credit: Two Cloves Kitchen.

This lemon chicken tray bake, or sheet pan dinner, is an easy weeknight meal that combines crispy, savory chicken thighs, fresh thyme, roasted sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and bright lemon for an incredibly flavorful dish.
Get the Recipe: Lemon Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner

Chicken Potato Stew

A bowl of stew with chicken and green onions.
Chicken Potato Stew in a black bowl. Photo credit: Ginger Casa.

This delicious, hearty chicken potato stew is so easy and made with frozen hashbrowns!
Get the Recipe: Chicken Potato Stew

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Fried chicken with lemon wedges on a plate.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Want crispy, juicy chicken without the fuss? Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a revelation! Using the air fryer ensures an even cook and irresistible crunch, but without the guilt of deep frying. This recipe is perfect for a quick, tasty dinner that pleases everyone at the table.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Glazed Air Fryer Chicken thighs

Asian chicken with sesame seeds on a plate.
Glazed Air Fryer Chicken thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Sweet, sticky, and perfectly crisp, these glazed Air Fryer Chicken Thighs are a total winner! The glaze adds a fantastic dimension of flavor, and the air fryer locks in that succulence. It’s an excellent twist on a classic, delivering gourmet flavors with minimal effort.
Get the Recipe: Glazed Air Fryer Chicken thighs

Sous Vide Chicken Thighs

A plate with sous vide chicken thighs and rice on it.
Sous Vide Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

If you’re looking for precision-cooked perfection, look no further than Sous Vide Chicken Thighs. The sous vide method guarantees a uniform temperature, ensuring that the chicken is juicy, tender, and cooked to absolute perfection.
Get the Recipe: Sous Vide Chicken Thighs

Crock Pot Ramen

Top view of slow cooker chicken ramen in the Crock Pot.
Crock Pot Ramen. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Crock Pot Ramen with chicken thighs is a game-changer! By slow-cooking the thighs, they absorb the ramen flavors while becoming incredibly tender. It’s an inventive way to use chicken thighs, creating a comforting, flavor-packed meal that feels like a warm hug on a cold night.
Get the Recipe: Crock Pot Ramen

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