Skip to content

11 Healthy and Delicious Chicken Thigh Recipes 

By Summer Rylander
|
October 18, 2024
Courtesy of Happy Foods Tube

Chicken thighs don’t get nearly as much attention as breasts, but it’s high time for that to change. The darker meat found in chicken thighs is actually packed with tons of nutrients. Along with protein, chicken thighs contain vitamin E, more iron per 100 grams than some cuts of steak, and they’re a valuable source of the essential amino acid lysine, as well as B vitamins and unsaturated fats. If all that isn’t enough, chicken thighs are delicious, they’re far less fussy to prepare than chicken breasts, and they’re usually less expensive, too. To get you started, here are some of our favorite healthy chicken thigh recipes, so you can see just how versatile and delicious this cut can be.

Related: Sign up to receive delicious recipes, expert advice, and shopping tips in your inbox!

1. One-Pan Garlic Chicken Thighs

Garlic chicken thighs

Although this recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you can absolutely use bone-in, skin-on to maximize flavor. Garlicky chicken is pretty inherently delicious and a great weeknight meal. We’d serve these juicy thighs with sautéed green beans or roasted broccoli, with a squeeze of lemon over the whole plate.

Try this recipe from The Dinner Bite.

2. Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs with Brussels Sprouts

Sheet pan chicken thighs

We love a sheet pan dinner — it’s basically hands-off as soon as the prep is finished. Roasting these chicken thighs with Brussels sprouts, onion wedges, and garlic means that your protein is ready at the same time as your vegetables, and everything is all the more flavorful after roasting all together.

Try this recipe from Little Sunny Kitchen.

3. Pomegranate Chicken Thighs

Pomegranate chicken

We love the sticky, tart-meets-sweet ingredient that is pomegranate molasses. In this skillet dish, you bathe chicken thighs in rich, fruity flavor — which is well-balanced thanks to a dash of balsamic vinegar and a few cloves of garlic. Skip the honey if you’d rather tone down the sweetness, then pair the thighs with rice or a simply cooked ancient grain, like barley.

Try this recipe from Waves In The Kitchen.

4. Wine-Braised Chicken Thighs with Mushrooms

Wine-braised chicken thighs

Loads of garlic and shallots — along with a good glug of whatever wine you’ve got open — contribute to a flavor-packed healthy meal with this braised chicken dish. We’d go ahead and remove the skin if you don’t have time to sear the chicken thighs prior to braising, and don’t be shy about doubling the amount of sautéed mushrooms.

Try this recipe from The Mediterranean Dish.

5. Five-Spice Roasted Chicken Thighs

Five-Spice Roasted Chicken Thighs

These roasted chicken thighs are everything we want when we’re craving something flavorful and comforting, thanks to the warming spice blend Chinese 5-spice powder. Serve with brown rice and a steamed green of your choice — broccoli, bok choy, snap peas, or cabbage would all work nicely here — and dinner is a done deal.

Try this recipe from The Woks of Life.

6. Cilantro-Lime Chicken Thighs

Cilantro lime chicken thighs

Marinating boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a mix of olive oil, lime juice, cilantro, garlic, and a few pantry spices gives them tons of flavor. Cook them in a skillet, on the grill, or even in the oven. They’re delicious in a rice bowl with pico de gallo and sliced avocado, or you can chop them up and make them the base for tacos.

Try this recipe from All The Healthy Things.

7. Mediterranean Roast Chicken Thighs

Mediterranean roasted chicken thighs

This Mediterranean diet recipe is packed with tangy, acidic delights like olives and tomatoes, plus plenty of garlic, which puts it squarely on our will-make-again list. It’s an unfussy and satisfying meal that presents beautifully — you could even serve it to guests at a get-together

Try this recipe from Chocolate Moosey.

8. Air Fryer Chicken Thighs

Air fryer chicken thighs

Air fryers and chicken thighs were made for each other. Leave the skin on, and it gets super crispy. Remove it, and you’re sure to have juicy chicken in less time than roasting in the oven. Season however you like — lemon pepper, za’atar, paprika, white pepper, and five spice, to offer just a few examples — with just the tiniest bit of olive oil and let the air fryer do its thing. While you wait, sauté sliced zucchini with a little garlic and lemon zest to have on the side.

Try this recipe from Happy Foods Tube.

9. Gochujang Chicken

Spicy grilled gochujang chicken

Gochujang is a delicious fermented Korean chili paste, and this recipe uses it — along with gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) — to create a vibrant marinade. If you don’t have access to an outdoor grill, use a grill pan on your cooktop, or finish off the thighs in your air fryer or oven. Serve with rice or roasted sweet potatoes and sliced spring onion, and enjoy.

Try this recipe from My Korean Kitchen.

10. Coconut Turmeric Chicken

Coconut turmeric chicken thighs

Though you can use reduced-fat coconut milk with these chicken thighs, using the full-fat stuff lends a richer, more satisfying flavor and texture. We love that this dish incorporates kale for a nutrient boost, and we might throw in a little diced red onion to complement the fresh ginger and garlic. It’s also a fantastic way to incorporate a good amount of anti-inflammatory turmeric.

Try this recipe from A Saucy Kitchen.

11. Spinach and Swiss Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Thighs

Spinach- and cheese-stuffed chicken thighs

This is one of those healthy chicken thighs recipes that looks really fancy and impressive, but it actually so simple to make, with just 15 minutes of prep, and good-for-you ingredients like spinach and onion. The filling is quick to make, and rolling up the chicken thighs is easy (this would be a great task to get kids to help with). Make it for a weeknight meal, or impress dinner guests with it.

Try this recipe from Jo Cooks.

Read next: 10 Healthful Chicken Soups from Around the World

Good food
brings
people together.
So do
good emails.

What our editors love right now

Good food brings people together.
So do good emails.