From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Chicken thighs are inexpensive, moist, tender, and juicy; here are quick and easy recipes that start with this ingredient. Remember we learned in How to Cook Beef those muscles which the animal uses more often have more myoglobin in them and are darker in color? Chicken thighs fall into this category, which is why they are called 'dark meat'. The meat has more flavor and more fat than chicken breasts, so they are an excellent choice for any chicken crockpot recipe. And you can buy thighs that are already boned and skinned, for super quick preparation.

Bone-in chicken thighs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 170 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. Boneless chicken thighs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer. The flavor of chicken thighs, while more intense than breasts, is complemented by just about any ethnic cuisine.

Enjoy these easy recipes for dinner this week.

Start With - Chicken Thighs

• Crockpot Chicken and Dumplings
  This old fashioned recipe is perfect for a cold winter night. The hot and fluffy dumplings are such pure comfort food.
• Crockpot Honey Chicken
  I love the combination of chicken with dried fruit. This easy recipe uses just five ingredients.
• Chicken and Veggie Stir-Fry
  This super easy five ingredient stir fry recipe can be adapted to your family's tastes. Use any vegetable combo you like, as long as they are cut in approximately the same size pieces.
• Peachy Crockpot Chicken
  This super easy slow cooker recipe is so good for you too.
• Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs
  Chicken thighs cook in about 20 minutes on top of your stove. This flavorful recipe is very inexpensive too.
• Crockpot Chicken Cacciatore
  Thighs and drumsticks cook to perfection in this spicy sauce in your slow cooker. You could use all thighs or all drumsticks if you'd like.
• Chicken Fajitas
  This spicy recipe is delicious wrapped in warmed flavored flour tortillas topped with shredded Pepper Jack cheese.
• Tuscan Chicken Sandwiches
  I love this recipe - the richly flavored chicken is the perfect filling for focaccia sandwiches.
• Bean and Chicken Crockpot Tacos
  Cannellini beans and taco seasoning mix are the secret ingredients in this delicious taco filling recipe.
• Lemon Thyme Chicken Thighs
  Get dinner on the table in under 45 minutes! This quick and easy skillet meal is full of fresh flavor.
• Peanut Chicken
  The combination of salsa, peanut butter, and ginger sounds odd, but it really is fabulous. Serve this dish with lots of hot cooked rice.
• Lemon Tarragon Scalloppini
  This fragrant recipe uses pounded boneless skinless chicken thighs so it cooks in minutes.
• Chicken Fricassee
  Slow simmering brings out the wonderful flavor in this complex, yet easy to make, one dish meal.
• Slow Cooker Lemon Chicken
  Lemon and chicken are wonderful partners. Try this excellent crockpot recipe and serve it over hot rice or noodles to soak up all the sauce.
• Crockpot Jambalaya
  This delicious one dish meal is bursting with the flavors of the Old South. Make sure you have lots of hot cooked rice to soak up the sauce.
• Crockpot Chicken Alfredo
  Broccoli and roasted red peppers add color and great flavor to this simple slow cooker recipe.
• Skillet Curried Chicken
  Apples, onions, mushrooms, and curry powder are the secret ingredients to this delicious one dish skillet dinner.
• Coq au Vin
  This classic French dish is best made with dark meat. Fresh vegetables and spicy sausage complement the tender and juicy chicken.
• Crockpot Sweet and Sour Chicken
  Just four ingredients combine in your slow cooker for a wonderfully flavored entree.
• Crockpot Chicken and Shrimp
  This recipe is flavored with Greek cheeses and seasonings. It is fancy enough for company, yet simple enough for weeknight meals.
• Roasted Thai Chicken
  Lemon grass, chilies, and ginger root add fabulous flavor to this tender and juicy roasted chicken.