Boneless chicken thighs are one of my favorite proteins for cooking. I share 14 Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes for dinner that you can prepare at any time of the year.
The best recipes for boneless chicken thighs
When it comes to making a weeknight dinner, chicken is one of my all-time favorite ingredients. In our house there is always a regular rotation. I will never run out of new ways to use chicken for everything from sheet metal dishes to stir fries and roasts to braised chicken dishes.
As with the age old debate between dark meat and white meat, there are people with chicken breasts and then people with chicken thighs. I’m firmly in thigh camp because they’re so juicy, taste great, and don’t go bad! Boneless chicken thighs are especially handy since the bones and skin are already removed. Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook faster than bone-in chicken thighs and are extremely versatile.
Today I’m sharing my best boneless chicken thigh recipes you can make any night of the week.
What is the best way to prepare boneless chicken thighs?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are an easy ingredient for delicious, healthy dinners and there are so many ways to prepare them. Here are some of the cooking methods (which you can also find in the recipes below):
- Baking and Roasting: Oven baked chicken thighs are an easy way to prepare juicy chicken with golden, crispy skin.
- Frying in the pan: Cooking chicken thighs in a skillet or cast iron skillet is a quick and easy method. It’s useful for stir-fries and perfect for searing and braising.
- Grilling: Grilled chicken tastes great both in summer and at any time of the year. Add some chicken marinade and you have juicy chicken with a delicious smoky, charred flavor.
- Instant Pot: Cooking chicken thighs in the Instant Pot or pressure cooker is a great way to retain moisture and flavor while reducing cooking time.
- air fry: The air fryer is a quick way to prepare chicken thighs, place them in a single layer in an air fryer basket at 400°F and cook, turning halfway through, until cooked through the middle, about 14 minutes.
What to serve with chicken thighs
No matter how you cook them, chicken thighs are extremely versatile and go great with many side dishes. Below are some healthy side dishes that go well with chicken:
- Vegetables: Pair your chicken thigh recipes with vegetarian side dishes like garlic butter mushrooms, roasted herbed carrots, or sautéed zucchini.
- Salad: Chicken thighs go well with almost any salad. For a side, try a superfood-packed quinoa salad with kale or make a BBQ chicken salad.
- Rice: Serve chicken over white rice or cauliflower rice, or use chicken thighs to make Greek chicken rice bowls.
- Potatoes: Serve chicken thighs with a baked potato, mashed potatoes, or sweet potato fries.
- Pasta: Enjoy chicken thighs as a complement to your favorite pasta recipes, such as spaghetti carbonara. For a low-carb option, try zoodles (zucchini noodles).
14 Healthy Chicken Thigh Recipes
These are some of my favorite boneless chicken thigh recipes that I know you’ll want to make asap.
2. Food Cart Style Chicken Salad with White Gravy
If you’re as obsessed with your local Halal food truck as I am, you’ll love this fresh and easy Chicken Salad, dressed with a homemade version of the famous Halal White Sauce. It’s an easy meal prep idea topped with flavorful, seasoned boneless chicken thighs and a dash of harissa.
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3. Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers
You won’t believe how much flavor this Peruvian chicken recipe packs together on a skewer! These savory chicken skewers are loaded with spices and grilled to perfection, served with creamy avocado aji verde (a fresh twist on spicy Peruvian green sauce!).
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4. Chicken Shawarma Kebab Salad
Make your own succulent grilled chicken shawarma kebabs and serve them on a bed of fresh vegetables, ripe tomatoes, cucumber and feta. Pair this Greek-inspired salad with a side of tzatziki for a light and healthy lunch or dinner.
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7. Chicken Zucchini Yakitori
When the weather is warmer, these flavorful grilled chicken skewers with fresh zucchini and spring onions hit the spot. This is an easy BBQ idea made with boneless chicken thighs marinated in homemade Japanese-style yakitori sauce with sake, honey and garlic. Really tasty!
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8. Chicken Tzatziki Bowl
Transform boneless chicken thighs into this easy Mediterranean-style chicken tzatziki recipe. These bowls are an easy meal prep idea featuring tender chicken thighs that have been marinated in yogurt, grilled and topped with quinoa, tomatoes, cucumber and olives with a sprinkle Lemon and feta cheese is served.
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12. Chicken cacciatore
Chicken cacciatore is a favorite Italian family recipe that consists of sautéed chicken thighs cooked in a rich tomato sauce with peppers and mushrooms. Fine dining at its best!
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13. Arroz Con Pollo (Latin Rice and Chicken)
I grew up on my mom’s recipe for Arroz con Polo, aka Colombian Rice and Chicken, and now I make my own lighter version at every opportunity! This Latin American classic is a stew made with flavorful chicken thighs cooked alongside seasoned rice and vegetables.
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This is how you can tell when the chicken is ready
Boneless chicken thighs cook faster than boneless chicken thighs. The easiest way to tell if your chicken is done cooking is to take the temperature at the thickest part of the thigh with an instant-read thermometer. If the internal temperature reads 165°F with a meat thermometer and the meat juices run clear when you carve the chicken, your thighs are done!
Are Chicken Thighs Healthy?
Yes! Chicken is a great natural source of lean protein that’s low in fat and zero in carbohydrates. Protein helps build and maintain muscle, and other nutrients found in chicken like selenium support healthy immune function. Chicken thighs are dark meat and are particularly high in vitamins B12 and B6, iron and zinc.
More easy chicken recipes
I’m a thigh girl through and through, but every piece of chicken has its place! Visit the Recipe Finder for even more healthy chicken recipes featuring chicken thighs, chicken breasts, chicken drumsticks and more.