Boneless chicken thighs are one of my favorite proteins to cook. I’m sharing 14 Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes for dinner that you can make in any season.
The Best Boneless Chicken Thigh Recipes
When it comes to cooking weeknight dinner, chicken is one of my all-time favorite ingredients. It’s always on regular rotation in our house. I’ll never run out of new ways to use chicken in everything from sheet pan dinners to stir-fries, and roasts to braised chicken dishes.
Like the age-old dark meat vs. light meat debate, you have chicken breast people, and then you have chicken thigh people. I’m firmly in the thigh camp because they’re so juicy, taste great and are hard to mess up! Boneless chicken thighs are extra convenient since this they come with the bone and skin already removed. Boneless skinless thighs cook more quickly than bone-in chicken thighs, and they’re super versatile.
Today, I’m sharing my best chicken recipes featuring boneless chicken thighs that you can make any night of the week.
What Is the Best Way to Cook Boneless Chicken Thighs?
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are an easy ingredient to use in tasty, healthy dinners, and there are so many ways to cook them. Here are some of the cooking methods (which you’ll also find in the recipes below):
- Baking and Roasting: Oven-baked chicken thighs are a hands-off way to achieve succulent chicken with golden, crispy skins.
- Pan-Frying: Cooking chicken thighs in a skillet or cast iron skillet is a quick, easy method. It’s useful for stir-fries and perfect for searing and braising.
- Grilling: Grilled chicken is great in the summertime, or any time of the year. Add some chicken marinade and you’ll 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 lock in moisture and flavor while cutting down on cooking time.
- Air Fry: The air fryer is a quick way to whip up chicken thighs, place them in an air fryer basket in a single layer 400F and cook them about 14 minutes, turning halfway until cooked through in the center.
What to Serve With Chicken Thighs
No matter which way you cook them, chicken thighs are extremely versatile and pair great with loads of sides. Below are some healthy side dishes that go well with chicken:
- Vegetables: Pair your chicken thigh recipes with veggie sides like Garlic Butter Mushrooms, Herb Roasted Carrots, or Sautéed Zucchini.
- Salad: Chicken thighs pair with just about any salad. Try a side of superfood-packed Quinoa Salad with Kale, or make a BBQ Chicken Salad.
- Rice: Serve chicken over white rice, Cauliflower Rice, or, use chicken thighs to make Greek Chicken Meal Prep Rice Bowls.
- Potatoes: Serve chicken thighs paired with a Baked Potato, Smashed Potatoes, or Sweet Potato Fries.
- Pasta: Enjoy chicken thighs as an add-in to your favorite pasta recipes, like 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 just know you’ll want to make ASAP.
2. Food Cart-Style Chicken Salad with White Sauce
3. Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers
4. Chicken Shawarma Kebab Salad
7. Chicken and Zucchini Yakitori
8. Chicken Tzatziki Bowl
12. Chicken Cacciatore
13. Arroz Con Pollo (Latin Rice and Chicken)
How to Tell When Chicken Is Done
Boneless chicken thighs cook quicker than bone-in thighs. The easiest way to tell if your chicken is done cooking is to take the temperature at the thickest part of the thigh using an instant-read thermometer. If the temperature inside registers 165ºF with a meat thermometer and the juices run clear when you cut into the chicken, your thighs are done!
Are Chicken Thighs Healthy?
Yes! Chicken meat is a great natural source of lean protein that’s low in fat and carb-free. Protein helps to build and maintain muscle, and other nutrients found in chicken, like selenium, support healthy immune function. Chicken thighs are dark meat, and they’re especially high in vitamins B12 and B6, iron, and zinc.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
I’m a thigh girl through and through, but every cut of chicken has its place! Visit the recipe finder for even more healthy chicken recipes featuring chicken thighs, chicken breasts, drumsticks, and more.