Winner, winner, chicken thighs for dinner!
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There's no shortage of chicken dinner recipes here at The Pioneer Woman. From hearty chicken casseroles to chicken pasta recipes—we're constantly coming up with new ideas to make chicken for dinner. And if you ask Ree Drummond, she'd confess that chicken thighs are one of the most flavorful ways to enjoy chicken! "If I had to choose a cut of chicken to eat the rest of my days," she says, "I would choose thighs every day of the week, and nine hundred times on Sunday!" Don't get us wrong—we love chicken wings and there’s something to be said about ground chicken recipes. But, it's so easy to incorporate chicken thigh recipes into your family dinners.
That's why we're rounding up our all-time favorite chicken thigh recipes right here, including an easy Instant Pot chicken thigh recipe you can "set and forget," a grilled chicken recipe, or a healthy chicken recipe to satisfy all of your dinner party guests. We've got barbecue-style chicken you can make right in your own oven (no grill required), an inspired honey balsamic baked chicken that'll have all your friends begging for the recipe. We've also got tons of dishes that work well at breakfast and brunch too (namely, our favorite chicken and waffles recipe). What's more, we've made sure that each of the tasty meals on our list won't break the bank or take up too much of your time (hello, 30-minute meals!). They rely mainly on simple ingredients straight from your pantry—things you already have at home or can use in other tried-and-true recipes. So, what are you waiting for? Let's get cooking!
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
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4
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.
5
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.
6
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.
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7
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.
8
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.
9
Chicken and Veggie Fall Skillet
Fresh herbs (like rosemary, thyme, and sage), along with spices (like cumin, paprika, and chili powder) are the key to making this family dinner even more flavorful. There's also a slew of seasonal veggies, pomegranate seeds, and balsamic glaze for good measure.
Get Ree's Chicken and Veggie Fall Skillet recipe.
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10
Sheet-Pan Chicken with Lemons and Olives
These chicken thighs are seasoned with a spice mixture of paprika, cinnamon, turmeric before getting roasted in the oven with lemon slices and olives. Serve it over couscous and dinner is complete!
Get Ree's Sheet-Pan Chicken with Lemons and Olives recipe.
11
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.
12
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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13
Instant Pot BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls
These bowls of shredded chicken thighs are loaded with color and flavor: Avocado, mango, jalapeño, sliced radishes, and a smattering of cilantro.
Get Ree's BBQ Chicken Grain Bowls recipe.
14
Oven BBQ Chicken
Yes, you can really make fantastic barbecue-style chicken right in your own oven—no grill required.
Get Ree's Oven BBQ Chicken recipe.
15
Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken
Here, fresh peaches and whiskey add intrigue, while olive oil and butter add tastiness.
Get Ree's Peach Whiskey Barbecue Chicken recipe.
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16
Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs
After devouring this recipe, you might wonder why you ever bothered with any other part of the bird. These thighs are the absolute best.
Get Ree's Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs recipe.
17
Orange Chicken
Talk about a restaurant-quality recipe! This crowd-pleasing dish makes use of our favorite part of the bird.
Get Ree's Orange Chicken recipe.
18
Chicken With Tomatoes and Garlic
Don't expect a super-thick sauce after you cook up this chicken thigh recipe. It's intended to be more on the broth-y side.
Get Ree's Chicken With Tomatoes and Garlic recipe.
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19
Chicken With Mushrooms and Artichokes
Sliced mushrooms and browned chicken come together beautifully in this luxurious weeknight dish. Don't forget the freshly grated Parmesan.
Get Ree's Chicken With Mushrooms and Artichokes recipe.
20
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
This fall-off-the-bone recipe starts with a flavorful rub of dried spices: Salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Then, all you have to do is sear the thighs right in the Instant Pot, and let it do the rest of the work!
Get the Instant Pot Chicken Thighs recipe.
