While chicken breasts may be the most common part of the chicken to eat, the tastiest part is the chicken thighs. It’s delicious enough to eat on its own but also super versatile to use in a plethora of dishes. These are the BEST healthy chicken thigh recipes and ideas that will ensure that come dinnertime, you’ll have something different to enjoy. You’ll find recipes that involve baking, stir-frying, frying, and stuffing, made in one pot, slow cooked, and more. Plenty of options helps keep things exciting. Let’s jump in.
Benefits of cooking chicken thighs
As much as I love chicken breasts, the thighs are where all the flavor is. This is why almost every recipe I’m including here needs very little prep to make them shine.
It’s healthy. While chicken thighs are higher in fat than chicken breasts or turkey, they also contain more iron and zinc, along with protein and vitamin B12. They are affordable. Thighs are one of the most affordable cuts of meat, making them a budget-friendly option for those who want to cook healthy meals without breaking the bank. It’s so flavorful. Chicken thighs have more fat than chicken breasts, which gives them a richer, more flavorful taste. They also have a tender, juicy texture that makes them great for all kinds of cooking methods. It’s versatile. This collection of recipes prove how many kinds of dishes this chicken can be based around.
Simple chicken thigh recipes
These five recipes are staples in my household and should be in yours, too! They use classic kitchen equipment like an Instant pot or air fryer, and come together very quickly.
Skinless chicken thighs– 220 calories, 32 grams of protein, and 10 grams of fat. Boneless skinless chicken thighs– 206 calories, 32 grams of protein, Skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs– 239 calories, 32 grams of protein, and 12 grams of fat.
Air fryer chicken thighs. The quickest and fastest way to cook chicken thighs. Air frying them gives them a crispy skin and juicy meat. Sous vide chicken thighs. Made with or without a sous vide cooker, the longer cooking time yields super juicy and perfectly cooked chicken. Instant pot chicken thighs. Crispy skin, juicy meat, and ready in no time Cast iron chicken thighs. My family LOVES how crispy the skin gets and how flavorful the spice mix. Grilled boneless chicken thighs. A summertime staple. No need to marinate the meat beforehand.
Baked chicken thigh recipes
Oven baking chicken is always a safe bet, and these four recipes will elevate your oven-baked chicken game.
Honey garlic chicken thighs. A little sweet, a little savory, and perfect to pair with almost anything. Crispy baked chicken thighs. A tried and tested favorite, baking chicken thighs is hands-off and can be easily customized with a plethora of flavors. Oven fried chicken– Oven fried chicken thighs are a healthier and easier alternative to traditional fried chicken, without sacrificing flavor or crispiness. Pollo Asado. Mexico’s answer to grilled or oven-baked chicken. I like to shred the meat and serve them with salads or veggie sides.
One pan chicken thigh recipes
Are you a fan of one-skillet dinners? Here are a range of delicious dinner ideas using chicken thighs.
Moroccan chicken. Full of spices and perfect over some couscous, this comes together in no time. Hunan chicken. An easy-to-cook recipe that can be made within 10 minutes! It includes fresh vegetables stir-fried with tender chicken, finally covered with delicious Hunan sauce. Black pepper chicken. A healthier version of the PF Chang’s popular dish. Chicken masala. Who said Indian curries have to be high calorie foods? This homemade takeout favorite uses less butter, less oil, but is super flavorful. Butter chicken. Like the masala, just because it has butter in it’s name does NOT mean it unhealthy. Chicken Al Pastor. A healthier copycat version of Chipotle’s new chicken dish.
International chicken thigh recipes
I consider myself a very worldly person, and these recipes prove just that.
Peri Peri chicken. My family LOVES Nandos, so I’ve made a homemade version that is lean, filling, and so flavorful. The spice mix is spicy, sweet, and so good. Peruvian chicken. As the name suggests, this is Peru’s answer to baked chicken thighs. Don’t forget the green sauce. Satay chicken. My dad’s top secret (well, not anymore) recipe for grilled chicken skewers. Don’t forget the peanut sauce. Chicken Adobo. The #1 dish in the Philippines, chicken thighs are braised with an umami-forward sauce. Huli Huli chicken. This Hawaiian style grilled chicken thigh recipe is flavored with a spicy pineapple marinade. It’s a summertime staple in my household.
Keto chicken thigh recipes
Following a low carb diet and want some low carb dinner ideas that use chicken thighs? I got you covered!
Keto quesadilla. While you can use chicken breasts, I personally love chopped and seasoned chicken thigh pieces. You can use some leftover ones from above. Keto chicken soup. Cozy and comforting, the thigh meat falls apart making this soup utlra flavorful. Keto stir fry. Perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. Keto fried chicken. Thighs work best for frying, because it’s super juicy and holds onto the breading really well. Chicken parmesan. There’s nothing better than crisp and juicy chicken thighs made with two kinds of cheese and topped off with delicious sugo, marinara, or pomodoro sauce.
Recipe collection originally published January 2022 but updated to include new recipes for your benefit.
