Tasty Chicken Thigh Recipes for Dinner

The Humble Chicken Thigh: Weeknight Dinner MVP

The chicken breast gets all the glory, but sometimes you crave something a little more flavorful, a little more forgiving. Enter the chicken thigh, the dark horse (or should we say dark meat?) of the poultry world. Chicken thighs are where it's at for busy weeknight dinners. They're affordable, easy to cook, and bursting with juicy flavor.

Why Chicken Thighs Rule

• Flavor Champs: Dark meat naturally has more flavor than white meat, and chicken thighs are no exception. They stand up to bold seasonings and sauces beautifully.
• Hard to Dry Out: Unlike chicken breasts that can turn into dry cardboard if you look at them wrong, chicken thighs are more difficult to overcook. They stay moist and tender thanks to their higher fat content.
• Versatile: Chicken thighs can be baked, grilled, pan-seared, or slow cooked. They take on whatever flavors you throw at them, making them perfect for everything from a light lemon piccata to a hearty Moroccan tagine.

Chicken Thigh Dinner Inspiration

Here are a few ideas to get your chicken thigh dinner party started:

• Sheet Pan Simplicity: Toss chicken thighs with veggies like broccoli, peppers, and onions, drizzle with olive oil and herbs, and throw it all on a sheet pan for a fuss-free dinner.
• Global Thighs: Take your tastebuds on a trip! Try a jerk chicken marinade for a Caribbean twist, a harissa yogurt sauce for a Moroccan flair, or a classic Japanese teriyaki glaze.
• One-Pot Wonder: For a cozy and hands-off meal, try a one-pot chicken thigh dish. Braise them with white beans, kale, and sausage in a rustic Italian style, or simmer them in a fragrant Thai curry with vegetables.

Here are some of my favorite recipes to try. Click thru the links to find great chicken thigh dinner inspo.

Lemon Chicken Tray Bake by Gluten Free Tranquility

Marry Me Chicken by Low Carb Spark

Baked Italian Chicken by Marcellina in Cucina

Garlic Mushroom Chicken Thighs by The Forked Spoon

Sweet and Spicy Chicken Thighs by 24 Bite

Apple Cheddar Stuffed Thighs by Burrata and Bubbles

Lemon Chicken and Rice Casserole by Grandbaby Cakes

Apple Cider Chicken Thighs by Brittney Breaks Bread

Greek Yogurt Chicken by Bites with Brie

Spanish Chicken and Rice by Grand Baby Cakes

Puerto Rican Chicken and Rice by The Good Hearted Woman

Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs by Healthy Life Trainer

Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs by Sunny Little Kitchen

 Oven Baked Thighs with Onion Gravy by Cook What You Love

Instant pot Butter Chicken by Pressure Cooker Recipes

Chicken Thigh Tips

• Pat it Dry: For crispy skin, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels before seasoning.
• Season Well: Don't be shy with the spices! Chicken thighs love bold flavors.
• Cook to Temperature: The safe internal temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F (74°C). Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.

So next time you're planning your dinner menu, consider giving the chicken thigh a chance. It's a delicious and versatile weeknight hero that will leave you satisfied and wanting more.

Find more favorite chicken recipes here:

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

Nashville Hot Chicken Fried Potatoes

Peanut Butter Chicken and Noodles

Restaurant Chicken Copycat Recipes

 

If you are hoping to save some cash on your food expenses, cutting out dinners in restaurants is usually the first to go. I gathered some of the best copycat chicken recipes to share with you. From copycats of Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings, to Panera panini dupes, this list has something for everyone. You will want to try all of these dishes to get the flavor you crave, from your home kitchen. I hope you will leave a comment to tell me what copycat recipes you have been making at home.

Panera Chipotle Chicken Panini  by Sweet Tea and Thyme

This panini tastes just like the chipotle chicken option from Panera. This is so easy to make at home when you crave fast food, but don’t want to go out.

Chick-Fil-A Sandwiches by Sparkles to Sprinkles

Make this perfect sandwich any day of the week, including on a Sunday to get the flavor you want. This is a great dupe that everyone will enjoy.

Parmesan Chicken Romano by Season and Thyme

This Cheesecake factory copycat is so easy and extra flavorful! It uses parmesan cheese to coat tenders for 6 ingredient dish the whole family will love.

Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings by Sweet Silly Sara

Make this dish when you want comfort food, but don’t want to wait for a table at Cracker Barrel. This is cozy, delicious and not too complicated to make for wholesome, country style food.

Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits by Sweet Tea and Thyme

These honey butter chicken biscuits are perfect for any meal; breakfast, lunch or dinner! You are going to love the combination of chicken, sweet honey and flaky biscuits. 

Olive Garden Tuscan Chicken by Three Olives Branch

This Tuscan chicken tastes like it came from Olive Garden, but it so easy to make at home even on a week night.

Olive Garden Chicken Veronese by Season and Thyme

Save some money and still get the flavor of great pasta from Olive Garden, at home. This recipe is creamy, hearty and sure to be a favorite way to serve chicken for dinner.

Ensenada Chicken Platter by Season and Thyme

Make a Red Robin copycat for dinner at home. This is flavorful with juicy chicken and a southwest salad on the side. You are going to love this for a weeknight dinner with the family that stretches your budget while offering great flavors.

Chipotle Chicken Fresh Mex Bowls by xoxo Bella

These tex mex bowls have plenty of chicken, tasty veggies and crunchy chips to make a great meal. Enjoy these for lunch or dinner and are so easy to make.

Ruth Chris Stuffed Chicken Breasts by The Feathered Nest

This stuffed chicken breast tastes just like the popular option from Ruth Chris! But, it is so budget friendly when you make it at home. It has plenty of cheese and a great blend of herbs.

Outback Alice Springs Chicken by Two Pink Peonies

Save some cash and still get the flavor of a great, cheesy meal from Outback with this recipe. Everyone loves Alice Springs chicken, and this recipe is so easy to duplicate at home.

CPK BBQ Chicken Salad by From Valerie’s Kitchen

This recipe makes a great dupe of the popular California Pizza Kitchen bbq chicken salad recipe. You are going to love this for lunch, or with pizza for a take out fake out meal.

Chicken and Rice by The Cagle Diaries

Get Cracker Barrel flavor any night of the week with this tasty and budget friendly dish. It has hearty mushrooms, chicken and rice with a creamy sauce that is irresistible.

Chicken Scampi by Amira’s Pantry

Save your cash and get the one of a kind flavor of Olive Garden chicken scampi at home. This recipe is fairly easy to recreate for a great weeknight meal.

Panda Express Black Pepper Chicken  by The Cooking Duo

Make this black pepper chicken for a fast and flavorful dish that has all of the flavor of Panda Express from your home kitchen. This is a great recipe for weeknight dinners.

Find more favorite recipes here:

Maple Brown Sugar Cookies

Homemade Coleslaw Dressing

20 Chicken Recipes You won't Want to Miss

I don't know if I ever mentioned to you guys that I stopped eating beef and pork? I mean, it is not that I don't love those two meats, but I am kinda going thru this picky eater stage and I am only consuming chicken and fish these days.

So, chicken or seafood every day takes some skill. I have to prepare it in different ways or I will dread dinner time! I turned to my fellow bloggers and started discovering some amazingly delicious recipes for dinner that I know you won't want to miss.

Here are 20 Chicken Dinners that you will want to try. From chili to wraps, tacos to fajitas, there is a chicken recipe for everyone in this collection!

Cheesy Chicken Taquitos
Peanut Butter Chicken
Dr. Pepper Smoked Chicken
Easy Chicken Marsala
Red Chicken Chili

Hot Chicken Salad Braid
Buffalo Chicken Avocado Ranch Wraps
Chicken with Bleu Cheese and Grapes
20 Minute Skillet Chicken and Spinach Parmesan
Chicken & Cheese Stuffed Shells

Roasted Chicken Fajitas
Chicken and Dumplings
Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Baked Chicken Fajitas
EasyTex Mex Chicken
Chicken Bacon Pizza
Garlic Chicken Pesto with Tomato Cream Sauce
Chicken and Cornbread Casserole

We love Cheesy Chicken Taquitos! This is one of my husbands favorite recipes! I can't wait to make my own Chicken Bacon Pizza and skip carry out pizza! Which of these recipes do you want to try first? Do you have a go to chicken recipe? I would love to hear about it!

Instant Pot Chicken Soup Recipes

Craving something cozy like chicken soup? This collection of instant pot soup recipes is just the thing to check out then! With some really tasty chicken soup recipes to browse, you can find something delicious in this collection to whip up in no time.

While you are here you can find some of my other favorite recipes here.

Jazzy Chicken Soup by Amy+Jacky

This is not your average chicken soup! It has been jazzed up properly with tomatoes and celery and lots of other goodies!

Chicken Enchilada Soup by Burrata and Bubbles

All of the flavor of a good enchilada but in soup form, cooked up in no time, in the instant pot! Sounds great doesn’t it?

Photo Credit: Cassidy’s Crave-able Creations.

Chicken Pot Pie Soup by Cassidy’s Crave-able Creations

This pot pie soup is so good! And it is guilt free with low carbs for a healthy lifestyle!

Instant Pot Thai Chicken Soup With Lemongrass And Ginger by The Instant Pot Table

This thai inspired soup has so many great flavors! And it comes together  in no time, thanks to your pressure cooker!

Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup by Chef Savvy

This comfort food classic cooks up fast. Save this recipe for steamy food for your soul in a flash, anytime you need it!

Chicken Tortilla Soup by Marathons and Motivations

This soup is so good! It has a great flavor, lots of color and warms you up on the coldest day!

Chicken Bone Broth by Maple + Mango

Homemade bone broth has never been easier than it is with an instant pot! Save this recipe for all of your broth needs.

Photo Credit: Pink When.

Crack Chicken Chili by Pink When

This chicken chili is so good it is borderline addictive. Try it and decide if you think it has been aptly named!

Chicken and Cabbage Curry Soup by Low Carb Yum

This curry based soup is so tasty! It is packed with good for you ingredients and will fill you up without too many extra carbs.

From Scratch Chicken Soup by Fearless Dining

This chicken soup is from scratch and promises to warm your soul! So good!

Looking for other tasty ways to make chicken?

Cracker Crumb Chicken

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Find more instant pot recipes here:

Creamy Mushroom Shrimp Pasta

Banana Cream Rice Pudding

Clucking Fantastic: Why Chicken Wins the Dinner Plate Race

 When it comes to dinnertime decisions, chicken often reigns supreme. But beyond its familiarity, there are many reasons why this poultry powerhouse deserves a permanent place in your weekly meal plan. Let's dig into what makes chicken such a cluck-tacular dinner choice.

A Nutritional Champion: Chicken is a lean protein superstar. A single serving packs a satisfying punch of protein, essential for building and maintaining muscle, while keeping fat content low. This protein power also helps you feel fuller for longer, aiding in weight management. But chicken's nutritional benefits extend beyond just protein. It's a great source of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, essential for energy production, and iron, which helps oxygen reach your cells.

A Culinary Chameleon: Chicken's versatility is unmatched. From succulent roasts to flavorful stir-fries, it takes on any culinary style with ease. Craving something comforting? Whip up a creamy chicken pot pie or a hearty chicken noodle soup. Feeling adventurous? Try a Thai curry or Mexican enchiladas. No matter your taste buds' desires, there's a chicken dish to satisfy.

Budget-Friendly Bird: Chicken is one of the most affordable protein sources available. This makes it a perfect choice for those looking to stretch their grocery budget without sacrificing quality. Plus, leftovers are a breeze! Shred leftover chicken for salads, quesadillas, or sandwiches, ensuring you get multiple meals out of one purchase.

Time-Saving Savior: Weeknights can be hectic, but chicken comes to the rescue. Many cuts cook quickly, making them ideal for busy schedules. Throw together a simple lemon garlic chicken with roasted vegetables, or marinate chicken breasts for a quick and flavorful grill.

The Bottom Line: Chicken is a dinnertime MVP. It's nutritious, delicious, affordable, and versatile. So next time you're wondering what to make for dinner, consider the humble chicken. It's sure to become a weeknight staple and a crowd-pleaser at any gathering.

Find my favorite chicken recipes here:

Shredded Chicken Tacos

Copycat Cracker Barrel Chicken and Dumplings

Peanut Butter Chicken and Noodles

Chicken Salad Recipes to Cluck For

I have been on a chicken salad kick lately. It is an easy lunch, it tastes great, and there are so many economical ways to make it! I guess it is easy to see why I am clucking for chicken salad these days!

I have found some awesome recipes that I can't wait to try, and I know you are going to love them too! I had no idea there were so many yummy ways to make this lunch time staple. I also have a few tips to help you make the best chicken salad!

• Poached chicken breast is the best option for making chicken salad, but you can use a rotisserie or canned chicken if that makes it easier for you.
• Allow your chicken to cool, no matter how you cook it! Wait until it is cool to add it to the other ingredients.
• Cover your chicken salad tightly to keep it fresh while stored in the fridge.

Some of the best chicken salads I have ever made have been on a whim. Made by surveying what ingredients I have on hand and making them work for me. However, these all look superb and I will be modifying my shopping list to make these happen in my lunchtime future!

Buffalo Ranch Chicken Salad

Fajita Chicken Salad

Loaded Chicken Salad

Secret Ingredient Chicken Salad

Cranberry Apple Chicken Salad

Avocado Bacon Chicken Salad

Fiesta Chicken Salad

Barbeque Chicken Salad

Which of these sounds best to you? I think they all sound perfectly devourable!

Crock Pot Chicken and Dumplings

 There's nothing quite like a comforting bowl of chicken and dumplings on a chilly day. But who has the time to slave over a hot stove? This crock pot version is here to save the day (and your energy)!

This recipe is not only easy but also endlessly customizable. In the mood for something a little heartier? Throw in some frozen vegetables along with the chicken. Craving a bit more herbaceous flavor? Add some fresh thyme or rosemary to the pot.

Here's what you'll need:

Ingredients

½ onion, diced 2-3 chicken breasts 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp Italian seasoning 1 can cream of chicken soup 2 (14 oz) cans chicken broth 1 can instant biscuits 1 (16 oz) bag of frozen peas and carrots

Directions

Add onion, chicken breasts, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasonings, chicken broth and cream of chicken soup to the crockpot.

Cook on HIGH for 4 hours. Using a fork, shred the chicken by moving your fork around in a circular motion. Add frozen peas and carrots and stir.

Chop biscuits up and layer across the top.

Cook on HIGH another 2 hours. Serve warm and enjoy.

Notes If you over cook during the second half, the biscuits can begin to brown or burn against the side of the crock pot.

All crock pots/slower cookers do not heat the same. If at the 4 hour mark you need to add more liquid, do so, to avoid burning later.

Here are some tips for perfecting your crock pot chicken and dumplings:

• Don't overcrowd the crock pot. This can lead to uneven cooking.
• Shred the chicken before adding the dumplings. This will ensure the dumplings cook through without getting mushy.
• Use a spoon to distribute the biscuits evenly in the pot. This will help them all cook through at the same time.

This recipe is a little different from my cracker barrel copycat chicken and dumplings. I wonder which you will prefer? I can't make a decision. I love them both!

Find more of my favorite chicken recipes here:

Bacon Ranch Chicken Salad

Cracker Crumb Chicken Nuggets