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Stove Top Chicken Thighs Recipe – make the easiest, juiciest boneless skinless chicken thighs with a simple seasoning in a pan on the stove top. Quick to prepare, these are perfect for a weeknight dinner. Serve with potatoes, steamed vegetables or a salad. These chicken thighs made on the stove top can be used in meal prepping and refrigerate and freeze very well.

Stove top chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet

Have you ever bought boneless skinless chicken thighs? If not, you are missing out.

Less expensive than chicken breast meat and loaded with an amazing chicken flavor, these are great for grilling, stove top or oven cooking, to be used in soups, stews or even skewers.

I buy them all the time and we either grill or quickly cook them in a cast iron skillet on the stove top.

It takes less than 15 minutes and you can use your favorite seasoning in this Stove Top Chicken Thighs Recipe. 

For bone in skin on chicken thighs follow the same cooking method, but allow then to cook for 8-10 minutes per side, until a thermometer inserted reads 165 F.

How many oz is a boneless skinless chicken thigh?

Boneless skinless chicken thighs are chicken thighs, along with the drumstick, cut above the knee. They have the skin and bone removed. Considered “dark meat”, they have higher fat content than chicken breasts.

Medium sized skinless boneless chicken thighs are usually between 2-4 oz each.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs in a pan

How much chicken thighs should be served per person?

For a main course, serve 1/2 pound of boneless skinless chicken thighs or 3/4 pounds of bone in chicken thighs. I usually serve a little less than 1/2 pound of boneless skinless thighs per person, when I cook.

How long it takes to cook chicken thighs on the stove top?

Cooking time varies, depending on the size of the chicken thighs and if they are boneless skinless or are bone in skin on chicken thighs.

A regular (not large) boneless skinless chicken thigh is usually around 3 oz. Make sure all fat and skin is removed from the meat, season with the desired seasoning and cook for 3-4 minutes on the stove top, until golden on both sides.

The meat should be perfectly cooked and juicy.

A thermometer inserted into the cooked chicken thigh meat should read 165 F, in order for the meat to be safe to eat.

boneless skinless chicken thighs in a black cast iron skillet

What is a good seasoning for boneless skinless chicken thighs?

Salt + Pepper is the way to go, when cooking chicken thighs, but you can add a few more spices to enhance the flavor. Paprika and smoked paprika are great seasonings for chicken thighs. Add garlic, cumin or thyme if you’d like. 

In this chicken thigh recipe I used:

  • grape seed oil (olive or vegetable oil can be substituted)
  • salt
  • black pepper
  • paprika
  • smoked paprika
  • ground cumin
  • garlic powder or fresh garlic cloves
  • soy sauce (optional)
  • lemon juice for drizzling after the meat is cooked

Raw boneless skinless chicken thighs on a cutting board

More chicken thigh recipes:

I cook with chicken thighs all the time and I’ve created a list of my favorite Top 10 Boneless Skinless Chicken Thigh Recipes. The Grilled Chicken Thighs and Baked Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs are my all time favorite.

How to make Stove Top Chicken Thighs ?

Making chicken thighs on the stove top is very easy.

Just make sure the raw chicken is at room temperature. Drizzle with olive oil and soy sauce.

Season with salt, pepper, paprika, smoked paprika and garlic. 

Heat oil in a cast iron skillet on the stove top over medium high heat. 

Add chicken thighs and cook for 4 minutes per side, until golden brown and crispy on the outside. A thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the meat reads 165 F.

Remove from the pan and let the meat rest for 5 minutes, then serve with a drizzle of lemon juice.

Cooked chicken thighs in a pan

How to store baked chicken thighs?

Baked, grilled or stove top chicken thighs can be cooked chicken thighs can be stored in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Reheat in the microwave or on the stove top. Use in grain bowls, serve with rice, use in casseroles or salads.

Can you freeze these boneless skinless chicken thighs?

These cooked boneless chicken thighs can be frozen in an air tight freezer safe containers for up to 2 months.

What to serve boneless skinless chicken thighs with?

This boneless skinless chicken thigh recipe on the  stove top comes together in under 20 minutes, so I recommend making a simple salad to pair with the meat. My Keto Cabbage Salad, Cucumber Yogurt Salad or Shopska Salad are all great choices to serve with chicken thighs.

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Stove top chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet
5 from 2 votes

Stove Top Chicken Thighs

Stove Top Chicken Thighs Recipe - make the easiest, juiciest boneless skinless chicken thighs with a simple seasoning in a pan on the stove top.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Servings: 2

Ingredients 

  • 4 boneless skinless chicken thighs, about 3 oz each
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 tsp Black pepper
  • Paprika, can use 1/2 tsp regular and 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder or 1 minced garlic clove
  • 1 tsp soy sauce, optional
  • 2 tbsp grape seed or vegetable oil, divided
  • Lemon juice, optional

Instructions 

  • Trim the chicken thighs from any extra fat.
  • Season with 1 tablespoon of oil, soy sauce, garlic, cumin, paprika, salt and pepper.
  • Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over medium high heat on the stove top. Add chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165 F.
  • Drizzle with some lemon juice (optional) and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 397kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 44g, Fat: 23g, Saturated Fat: 4g, Cholesterol: 215mg, Sodium: 951mg, Potassium: 554mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 54IU, Calcium: 20mg, Iron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Tried this recipe?Mention @cookinglsl or tag #cookinglsl!

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Hi! I'm Mira.

I share simple, mostly low-carb and Keto recipes, that don't take a lot of time to make and use mostly seasonal, easy to find ingredients. I'm a supporter of healthy eating, but you'll also find some indulgent treats too.

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2 Comments

  1. This is our new go-to recipe when needing to cook up some leftover thighs. Goes with just about anything and tastes great!