26 Of Our Best Chicken Thigh Recipes
Photo, Carmen Cheung.
You can bake it, braise it, fry it, put it in soup, savoury pies or serve it as the star of the show—one thing you can always count on is that the chicken thigh is an incredibly versatile (and affordable) cut of meat. Break away from boneless skinless chicken breasts and try one of these flavourful recipes tonight!
How to Cook Chicken Thighs
The thigh is often considered the tastiest part of the bird because it has a higher fat content, resulting in a more flavourful cut of meat. (It’s also a more economical alternative to buying chicken breasts.) As the meat in chicken thighs is firmer, it requires a bit more time to cook than a chicken breast. Methods like braising or roasting work beautifully, as you'll see in the cooking methods for our chicken thigh recipes below.
Peri Peri Chicken Pilaf
Peri peri is a Portuguese or African spice blend made of dried chilis, garlic and citrus peel. Sprinkle it over chicken and cook in rice for a quick pilaf. Get this peri peri chicken recipe.
Miso-glazed chicken thighs and king oyster mushrooms
This chicken, mushroom and broccoli recipe comes together on a sheet-pan, making clean-up super easy. Get our miso-glazed chicken thighs and king oyster mushrooms recipe.
Chinese-style lemon chicken
For a weeknight treat, fry up your favourite, lemony take-out staple at home. Get this lemon chicken recipe.
Moroccan chicken tagine
With almonds, raisins and olives, this flavourful tagine comes together in 40 minutes, meaning you can enjoy it on busy weeknights. Get our Moroccan chicken tagine recipe.
Sheet pan orange chicken with sweet potato
When it comes to weeknight dinners, few things top a quick one-pan recipe. This one involves baked veggies paired with sweet and tangy chicken. Get our sheet pan orange chicken with sweet potato recipe.
Skillet chicken pot pie
We like to use store-bought pie crust to make this one-pot dinner. It saves on time and mess. Get this chicken pot pie recipe.
Quick chicken posole
A spicy chicken and bean soup that’s perfect for big-batch cooking or when you have a few guests over. Get this chicken posole recipe.
Crispy chicken thighs with grilled celery and orange salad
20 minutes of prep, and 35 minutes total, will land you this fresh, fast weeknight meal. Get our crispy chicken thighs with orange salad recipe.
Udon noodle soup
Skip regular chicken soup for this tasty Japanese version! Topped with kimchi, green onion, mushroom and a soft-boiled egg, it’s the just the thing to get you through this last stretch of cold weather. Get this udon noodle soup recipe.
Quick coq au vin
Elegant, delicious meals don’t have to be time-consuming or pricey. Ready in just 40 minutes, tender chicken is paired with simple vegetables and an amazing sauce for a weeknight dish that’s entertaining-worthy. Get this coq au vin recipe.
Chicken chili verde
A spicy green chicken and bean soup to kick that cold that’s been hanging around too long. Top with your choice of avocado, jalapeños, cheese, cilantro and tortillas (for crunch). Get this chili verde recipe.
Nutty Chicken Stew With Squash
Creamy butternut squash, chunky tomatoes and pieces of juicy chicken make this dish a comforting (and easy) meal for weeknights this winter. Get this nutty chicken stew with squash recipe.
Orange soy-braised chicken thighs
Cooked in an orange-soy mix, these sweet-salty braised chicken thighs are best served over rice. Get this braised chicken recipe.
Chipotle-Garlic Chicken Pasta
This saucy garlic-chicken pasta is what easy, end-of-the-week eats are all about. Pair with crusty french bread and red wine, and dig in. Get this chipotle chicken pasta recipe.
Japanese Fried Chicken Bites (Karaage)
Tip: Don't let deep-frying scare you. The trick is to use a heavy-bottom pan for even heat distribution. Get this Japanese fried chicken bites (karaage) recipe.
Chicken caccitore
A two-for-one weeknight dinner! Make caccitore tonight—and tomorrow you’ll be able to whip up a tomato, chicken and rice soup in just 3o minutes. Get this chicken caccitore recipe.
Braised Chicken And Tomato Stew
A classic method of cooking less-tender (and more affordable) cuts of meat and vegetables, braising starts with a pan-sear so the food gains colour and flavour. It’s then cooked gently, covered, in barely bubbling liquid until exceedingly tender. Get this chicken and tomato stew recipe.
Gingery Chicken Congee
This simple but delicious rice porridge is a classic Asian breakfast and a Test Kitchen staff favourite. It’s especially good for anyone who prefers savoury over sweet for breakfast. Get this gingery chicken congee recipe.
Tagine-style sticky chicken
You’ll love this fragrant, Moroccan-inspired dish—it gives eating at home a flavourful twist. Get this sticky chicken recipe.
Herbed chicken with mint-pepper salsa
This simple salsa-topped chicken livens up the weeknight with a little extra kick on the side: crisp jalapeño pan fries. Get this herbed chicken recipe.
Chicken and dumplings
While the chicken thighs get golden, whip up a batch of herbed dumplings. The result is a warm and hearty family staple. Get this chicken and dumplings recipe.
Spanish chicken with golden rice
Dine in, Spanish style tonight. This golden rice and spiced chicken combo fits the bill perfectly. Get this Spanish chicken recipe.
Finger-lickin’ Cajun chicken
Topped with saucy tomatoes, this five-ingredient Cajun chicken will have you licking your plate clean, too. Get this Cajun chicken recipe.
Hong Kong Chicken Curry
This dish is both bright and mellow, thanks in part to the addition of punchy curry powder and rich coconut milk. The trio of carrots, potatoes and peas helps the meal come together easily with fridge and pantry staples. Get this Hong Kong chicken curry recipe.
Chicken and leek pie
The leeks, thyme and garlic makes this a deliciously fragrant dish. It also tastes as good as it smells! Get this chicken and leek pie recipe.
Warm chicken salad
Roasted grapes, onions and chicken meet creamy goat’s cheese, adding a gourmet feel to your salad. Get this warm chicken salad recipe.
How to break down a chicken
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