This easy Skillet Chicken Thighs recipe gives you super moist and juicy chicken in under 30 minutes! We think chicken thighs are seriously underrated. Bone-in with skin gives you amazing flavor and that perfect, crispy skin. With a touch of lemon for added freshness and tang, this 30-minute meal is just what you need to shake up your weekly dinner routine.
Love this recipe? Try our easy, Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Thighs.
Why Our Recipe
- Chicken thighs are juicy every time with the most beautiful, crispy skin.
- Perfectly cooked on the stovetop and ready in under 30 minutes.
- Easily repurpose leftovers for soups, salads, and tacos.
If you’ve been following this blog for a while then you know that we have a fondness for chicken thighs. They are just so dang delicious and versatile, we can’t get enough of them! They are a go-to cut for easy meals on busy weeknights, or when cooking for a crowd. We know it can be scary to venture away from the boneless skinless chicken you are used to, but we promise that once you taste that crispy skin, and the moist and tender meat, you’ll fall in love.
Ingredient Notes
- Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are perfect for this recipe. You can use boneless skinless, but you won’t get that delicious crispy skin.
- Lemon: Sliced and used for garnish, adding a fresh pop of color and tang.
- Herbs and Spices: Our blend of paprika, garlic and onion powder, dried oregano and basil, and black pepper adds a savory depth of flavor to this chicken.
- Butter: Helps to crisp up the chicken skin. Divide it into 8 pieces so each thigh gets its own little pat of butter.
Chicken Cuts
We prefer this recipe with bone-in chicken thighs with skin. You can always use this same method with different cuts of chicken like boneless skinless thighs or chicken breasts but for the most flavor, you want to use bone-in and skin-on.
Cooking time for different cuts of chicken can vary depending on size and thickness. If you’re cooking with chicken breasts, we recommend using a meat tenderizer to even out the thickness. Always cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165 °F. However, we prefer to let chicken thighs cook until 172°F for maximum flavor and juiciness.
Bone-in and Crispy Skin
Chicken thighs have a fair amount of meat on them, and a good crispy chicken skin is to die for. The trick to getting crispy skin is ensuring it doesn’t sit in any moisture and has direct heat to crisp it up. With chicken thighs, the dark meat stays juicy while the skin crisps, so it would take a lot for your meat to dry out. The bone also helps bring out the chicken’s flavors while keeping it moist.
To achieve perfectly crispy chicken skin, pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove any excess moisture before seasoning and cooking. Arrange the thighs in a single layer in your baking dish, ensuring they aren’t touching to allow heat to circulate evenly. Placing a small pat of butter on each thigh adds flavor and aids in crisping the skin.
Make it a Meal
Steamed Rice: A simple side of steamed rice is an excellent way to enjoy the flavorful juices from the chicken. Rice is a great option because it absorbs all the delicious drippings. You can use plain white rice or brown rice depending on your preference.
Potatoes: We love this crispy chicken paired with simple, roasted potatoes or served on top of fluffy, buttery mashed potatoes.
Vegetables: Add some green with some roasted broccoli or Brussel sprouts. You can always make things easy with our frozen veggies hacks. The whole point of this dinner is to keep things simple!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Refrigerate any leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container. They will stay good for up to 3 days.
Reheat in the microwave by placing a chicken thigh on a microwave-safe plate and cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate. Heat on medium power for 1 minute then check the chicken. Microwave in additional 30-second increments as needed until heated through. This method is quick but may not keep the skin as crispy.
Reheat in an air fryer by placing chicken thighs in a single layer in the air fryer basket and heat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-7 minutes, or until warmed through and the skin is crispy.
