20 Chicken Thigh Recipes That’ll Make You a Thigh Advocate for Life

It’s time to give the humble chicken thigh the spotlight it’s been waiting for. These 20 recipes are juicy, rich, and packed with flavor that puts plain chicken breast to shame. Whether you’re craving something smoky off the grill, saucy from the skillet, or crispy from the oven, these dishes deliver comfort and satisfaction every single time. Warning: once you go thigh, you might not go back.

Easy Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters

These Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters are perfect for an easy dinner meal! Garlic and fresh lemon juice are used to season this delicious dish! Not only are these chicken quarters made in only 30 minutes, they're paleo and keto friendly too!
Get the Recipe: Easy Broiled Chicken Leg Quarters

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Honey Lemon Pepper Thighs with parsley on a white plate. — Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs is a flavorful and aromatic dish, perfect for an easy dinner recipe. It combines the sweet tanginess of honey, the bright zestiness of lemon, and the mild heat of black pepper.
Get the Recipe: Honey Lemon Pepper Chicken Thighs

Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Instant Pot Chicken and Rice in Instant Pot. — Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Make tender chicken thighs and fluffy rice at the same time with your Instant Pot. These come out perfect every time! Have dinner ready in about 40 minutes with very little hands on time!
Get the Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Thighs and Rice

Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Cast Iron Chicken Thigh in Creamy Tomato Sauce with a spoon in a cast iron skillet. — Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

This Cast Iron Keto Chicken Thigh Recipe in Creamy Tomato Sauce will be your new favorite dinner. It's a delicious meal and is made with simple ingredients that the entire family will love! ! It's dairy and gluten free!
Get the Recipe: Cast Iron Chicken Thighs in Creamy Tomato Sauce

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Paleo

Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs is a simple late night dinner. They come out juicy and delicious! These boneless skinless chicken thighs have only 2 ingredients and cooks in less than 20 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Teriyaki Chicken Thighs Paleo

Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs

Make juicy broiled chicken thighs in less than 25 minutes. With hints of lemon and garlic, this delicious low carb chicken thigh recipe is great for a weeknight dinner. It's sure to please even the pickiest of eaters!
Get the Recipe: Easy Garlic Broiled Chicken Thighs

Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

Smoked Chicken Drumstick with parsley on a white plate. — Smoked Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Lara Clevenger.

Deliciously smoky and juicy, our smoked chicken drumsticks blend flavor and tenderness perfectly. Indulge in BBQ perfection with every bite. Plus, it is great for a weekend barbecue.
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Drumsticks

Air Fryer Panko Chicken Thighs

Crispy panko-coated chicken thighs served on a white plate with a side garnish. — Air Fryer Panko Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

A perfect go-to for a quick and flavorful meal the whole family will enjoy. It's the amazing honey glaze that adds just the right touch of sweetness to the crispy Panko crust. Such a quick and healthier dish than traditional fried chicken.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Panko Chicken Thighs

Gluten Free Honey Baked Chicken Thighs

Honey and lemon baked chicken thighs with parsley on top in a baking dish. — Gluten Free Honey Baked Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Fitasamamabear.

Have dinner on the table in just 30 minutes with these ultra-juicy, honey-baked chicken thighs. Naturally dairy-free and gluten-free this busy weeknight dinner comes together with just a handful of ingredients and makes for a burst of sweetness in every bite.
Get the Recipe: Gluten Free Honey Baked Chicken Thighs

Blackened Chicken Thighs

Chicken coated in seasoning on a plate with tomatoes. — Blackened Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Downsizing Dinner.

Oven blackened chicken thighs.
Get the Recipe: Blackened Chicken Thighs

Pollo Asado

This Pollo Asado recipe features chicken thighs that are perfectly marinated in ingredients like cilantro, onion, orange juice, and lime juice. The chicken is cooked on the grill, on a grill pan, or in the oven.
Get the Recipe: Pollo Asado

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Three air-fried, sesame-crusted chicken thighs with broccoli on a white plate. — Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs. Photo credit: Trop Rockin.

Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs are a total lifesaver on busy weeknights. These juicy and tender thighs get a flavorful kick from olive oil and Everything Bagel seasoning. Air frying makes them super easy to cook in just 20 minutes, and they’re budget-friendly too. Plus, you can double or triple the recipe for meal prep or feeding a crowd.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Boneless Chicken Thighs

Chinese Five Spice Chicken: Family Favorite Recipe

A bowl with grilled chicken thigh, white rice sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds, and broccoli florets. — Chinese Five Spice Chicken: Family Favorite Recipe. Photo credit: Sassy Chopsticks.

Chinese five spice chicken is a delicious dish that bakes chicken thighs with a flavorful Chinese spice blend. It is incredibly versatile.
Get the Recipe: Chinese Five Spice Chicken: Family Favorite Recipe

Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Two chicken leg quarters on a grey plate sprinkled with parsley with a broccoli salad in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Enjoy air fryer chicken leg quarters for a perfect weeknight dinner. Crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, with delicious flavor.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Leg Quarters

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Four chicken drumsticks with parsley on a plate. — Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs. Photo credit: Upstate Ramblings.

Easy air fryer chicken legs are crispy outside and juicy inside for a family favorite meal! Get tasty, crispy drumsticks with minimal effort in 25 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Legs

Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Infused with flavor from the smoke and the added sweet and spicy tang of the glaze, these chicken wings are good eating! Easier to make than you might think, too!
Get the Recipe: Smoked Chicken Legs with Red Pepper Glaze

Colombian marinated chicken drumsticks

Chicken drumsticks on a plate. — Colombian marinated chicken drumsticks. Photo credit: At the Immigrant's Table.

This mouthwatering Colombian Chicken Drumsticks recipe is sure to win your dad's heart with its bold and irresistible flavors. The drumsticks are marinated in a tantalizing blend of spices, including cumin, paprika, garlic, and lime juice, which infuses them with a zesty and aromatic taste. Roasted to perfection, the chicken drumsticks are crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside, making them a true crowd-pleaser. Whether served as a main course for a family dinner or as a delicious addition to a backyard barbecue, this recipe is bound to make your dad's taste buds dance with delight.
Get the Recipe: Colombian marinated chicken drumsticks

Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

A close-up of chopsticks holding a piece of glazed, grilled chicken. The chicken appears juicy and well-cooked. — Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

There are a couple of reasons we think you’re going to love learning about how to make BBQ drumsticks in the air fryer. One is it it is much neater than cooking them on the grill.
Get the Recipe: Barbecue Sauce Chicken Drumsticks in Air Fryer

Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks

Close-up of a stack of seasoned, grilled chicken drumsticks, with one drumstick partially eaten, revealing moist, cooked meat inside. A lemon wedge and herbs are visible in the background. — Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks. Photo credit: Bagels and Lasagna.

You can get the taste of fried chicken without oil or the mess when you make these chicken drumsticks in the air fryer. Prep and cooking time is 30 minutes.
Get the Recipe: Air Fryer Chicken Drumsticks