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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

If you're as obsessed with your local Halal food cart as I am, you'll love this fresh and easy chicken salad dressed in 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 drizzle of harissa.

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3. Peruvian Grilled Chicken Skewers

You won't believe how much flavor this Peruvian chicken recipe packs onto one skewer! These zesty chicken skewers are loaded with spices and grilled to perfection, served with creamy avocado Aji verde (a fresh spin on spicy Peruvian green sauce!).

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4. Chicken Shawarma Kebab Salad

Make your own juicy grilled chicken shawarma kebabs to serve over a bed of fresh greens, 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 and Zucchini Yakitori

Warmer weather calls for these flavor-packed grilled chicken skewers with fresh zucchini and green onions. This is an easy grilling idea made from boneless chicken thighs marinated in homemade Japanese-style yakitori sauce with sake, honey, and garlic. Seriously delicious!

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8. Chicken Tzatziki Bowl

Turn boneless chicken thighs into this easy Mediterranean-style chicken tzatziki recipe. These bowls are an easy meal prep idea with tender chicken thigh meat marinated in yogurt, grilled, and served over quinoa, tomatoes, cucumbers, and olives with a sprinkle of lemon and feta cheese.

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12. Chicken Cacciatore

Chicken cacciatore is a family-favorite Italian recipe made with sautéed chicken thighs simmered in a rich tomato sauce with bell peppers and mushrooms. Comfort food 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, a.k.a. Colombian rice and chicken, and now I make my own lighter version every chance I get! This Latin classic is a one-pot meal made with spicy chicken thighs cooked together with seasoned rice and veggies.

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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.

from What to Cook https://ift.tt/wMUlyOF