There’s no shortage of delicious chicken dinner ideas around here. From comforting chicken casseroles to creamy chicken pastas, chicken always finds its way to the table in new and creative ways. And if you ask Ree Drummond, there’s one cut she’ll choose time and time again: chicken thighs. As she puts it, “If I had to choose a cut of chicken to eat the rest of my days, I would choose thighs every day of the week, and nine hundred times on Sunday!”
It’s easy to see why! Chicken thighs are naturally juicy, incredibly flavorful, and perfect for family dinners and beyond. This collection has all the best chicken thigh recipes, including easy Instant Pot dinners, grilled chicken favorites, and healthy chicken options that are still packed with flavor. There's barbecue-style chicken you can make right in your own oven (no grill required) and a sweet and savory honey-garlic chicken recipe that'll have your friends begging for the recipe. There's also dishes that work well at breakfast and brunch, too (namely, the best chicken and waffles recipe).
What's more, the tasty meals on this list won't break the bank or take up too much of your time (hello, 30-minute meals!). Plus, they rely mainly on simple ingredients straight from your pantry. So, what are you waiting for? Go get cooking!
Orange Chicken
Homemade orange chicken served over a bed of fluffy rice will satisfy your cravings! Bite-sized pieces of chicken thighs are fried until perfectly crisp, then tossed in a glossy sauce.
Get Ree’s Orange Chicken recipe.
Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken
A quick marinade of creamy coconut milk, lime, spicy sambal oelek, honey, and ginger infuses every bite with bold flavor before the thighs caramelize on the grill. Serve over rice with fresh cilantro, lime wedges, and an extra drizzle of sauce.
Get the Spicy Coconut Grilled Chicken recipe.
Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs
If you're looking to upgrade your usual chicken dinner, this recipe does the trick. Honey and garlic create a bold, sticky sauce while oven-roasting ensures tender meat and perfectly crisp skin.
Get Ree’s Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe.
Chicken Shawarma Salad
Here’s a hearty, protein-packed salad: Marinated in a creamy Greek yogurt mixture with warm spices, the grilled chicken stays juicy before being piled onto crisp romaine with fresh veggies, crunchy pita chips, and a drizzle of homemade tahini dressing.
Get Ree’s Chicken Shawarma Salad recipe.
Mango Salsa Chicken
Bring a tropical twist to your dinner table! Tender chicken thighs cook alongside flavorful rice, then get topped with a fresh, colorful mix of mango salsa, avocado, and cilantro. It has sweet, savory, and zesty flavors in every bite.
Get Ree’s Mango Salsa Chicken recipe.
Oven BBQ Chicken
Yes, you can make barbecue-style chicken right in your own oven—no grill required. The secret is the irresistible sauce, which starts with your favorite bottled barbecue sauce and gets a flavorful boost from sweet peach preserves, fresh garlic, and a splash of hot sauce.
Get Ree's Oven BBQ Chicken recipe.
Marry Me Chicken
The name says it all! This delicious dish is sure to win everyone over with its moist chicken slathered in a dream-worthy sauce made of heavy cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes. It's a one-pan meal that only takes 30 minutes to serve up.
Get Ree's Marry Me Chicken recipe.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are what make this meal so special! Since the chicken cooks right alongside baby potatoes and carrots, you'll have an entire meal to devour at the end of the day—all with minimal effort.
Get Ree's Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs recipe.
Chicken Stroganoff
This recipe takes a classic beef stroganoff recipe but swaps the red meat for tasty chicken thighs instead. The hearty, creamy mushroom sauce with chicken can be served over cooked egg noodles or even creamy mashed potatoes or cooked white rice.
Get Ree's Chicken Stroganoff recipe.
Lemon-Herb Chicken Thighs with Snap Pea Salad
Get a head start on dinner by marinating the chicken for this dish the night before. The zingy marinade calls for lemon zest and juice, olive oil, parsley, basil, garlic, and salt and pepper, all whisked together. Serve the chicken with couscous and snap pea salad.
Get Ree's Lemon-Herb Chicken Thighs with Snap Pea Salad recipe.
Chicken Cacciatore
This Italian dish is like a hearty stew that's made with bone-in chicken thighs. You can serve it up over noodles as long as you remember to spoon over all that delicious sauce!
Get Ree's Chicken Cacciatore recipe.
Bourbon Chicken
A sticky-sweet sauce made from bourbon, apple juice, and soy sauce gives this chicken recipe a ton of flavor. It's delicious on its own but it can also be served up over a bowl of rice.
Get the Bourbon Chicken recipe.
Chicken Florentine
Chicken Florentine feels like a special occasion dish thanks to it's lusciously creamy sauce, but it actually couldn't be easier! The whole thing can be on the table in less than an hour!
Get the Chicken Florentine recipe.
Smothered Chicken
Dredging the chicken thighs in flour before searing helps them get deeply browned and crispy. Oh, and did we mention it's fried in bacon drippings before being smothered in a creamy gravy? We're drooling, already!
Get the Smothered Chicken recipe.
Coconut Chicken Curry
Chicken curry is a beautifully bright and flavorful dish that's surprisingly easy to make. The warm spices and fragrant coconut milk make it an all-around crowd-pleaser.
Get the Coconut Chicken Curry recipe.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
It only takes 30 minutes to get dinner on the table with this method for cooking chicken in your air fryer. Be sure to use bone-in, skin on chicken thighs to prevent the chicken from drying out.
Get the Air Fryer Chicken Thighs recipe.
Chicken Fried Chicken
This fun twist on chicken fried steak uses boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead. The crunchy dish is best served with a good helping of gravy!
Get the Chicken Fried Chicken recipe.
Chicken Teriyaki
Skip the takeout and make your own chicken teriyaki instead. This 30-minute recipe is sticky, slightly sweet, and deeply savory.
Get the Chicken Teriyaki recipe.
Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
This cozy chicken soup is loaded with hearty chicken, wild rice, and veggies. Serve it up with a crusty loaf of bread for dunking and you'll warm right up.
Get Ree's Instant Pot Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup recipe.
Cornbread Waffles with Spicy Chicken
There's no wrong way to eat waffles, but there's definitely a right way—topped with crispy chunks of fried chicken! This classic dish gets the true Southern treatment with a drizzle of spicy hot honey on top!
Get Ree's Cornbread Waffles with Spicy Chicken recipe.
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