Easy Stove Top Chicken Thighs

Name: Easy Stove Top Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 pounds Boneless skinless chicken thighs (✅); 1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice; 3 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 teaspoon orange zest; 1 teaspoon salt; 4 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon thyme; 2 tablespoons olive oil

Jump to Recipe Save Recipe Pin Recipe

Our easy stove-top chicken thighs are perfect for families looking for a delicious, affordable, and hassle-free dinner option that kids will adore. The dish features tender chicken thighs with a touch of sweetness from maple syrup and a refreshing tang from fresh orange, making for a mouthwatering gluten-free meal.

Cooking chicken thighs on the stove never disappoints whether cooked as a weeknight dinner meal or for a dinner party. Learning how to pan-cook chicken thighs is a must!

seasoned chicken thighs and orange wedges in a skillet

Boneless skinless chicken thighs offer numerous advantages. They’re easy to prepare, requiring less prep work than bone-in, skin-on chicken. Their higher fat content ensures moist and tender results, preventing dryness during cooking. Versatile in various recipes, from grilling to slow-cooking, they suit diverse culinary preferences. Cost-effective compared to chicken breasts, they’re a budget-friendly option. Overall, boneless skinless chicken thighs provide convenience, rich flavor, and affordability, making them a preferred choice, especially for busy households.

By chance, if you’re looking for more delicious dinner ideas, check out Skillet Chicken and Apples, Crockpot Ranch Pork Chops, Gluten Free Lasagna, No Peek Beef Tips with Crockpot Sweet Potatoes.

chicken thighs, olive oil, spices, maple syrup and an orange on the counter

Table of Contents

Ingredients

2 pounds Boneless skinless chicken thighs ✅
1/3 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
3 tablespoons maple syrup
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon salt
4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
2 tablespoons olive oil

Gluten-Free Guide: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten.

raw chicken thighs on a paper towel lined baking sheet

seasoned raw chicken thighs on a paper towel lined baking sheet

How To Make

Pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper.

Sear the chicken

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet. Once the oil is hot add the chicken thighs and sear over medium-high heat for 5 minutes without flipping. After 5 minutes, flip and cook for an additional 10 minutes.

Boil orange juice with maple syrup and butter

Over medium heat, add orange juice and maple syrup to a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in orange zest and thyme.

Pour sauce over the chicken

Once the chicken is cooked pour the orange sauce over the chicken and use tongs to toss the chicken into the sauce.

maple syrup with orange zest and spices in a skillet

Serve

Serve hot with your favorite sides.

Serving Suggestions

While these skillet boneless chicken thighs are delicious on their own, it’s always good to round out the meal with a few other options as well. Our go-to is steamed carrots, a side salad or any of these side dish recipes:

spoon drizzling maple syrup sauce on top of chicken in skillet

What are boneless skinless chicken thighs?

If you prefer dark meat, you will want chicken thighs to be your chicken meat of choice. Chicken thighs also tend to be more tender and juicier than other cuts of meat, and often cost less at the store as well.

Chicken thighs are the top portion of the chicken leg and are low carb and full of flavor. Cooking with chicken thighs is always a great idea because there are so many options to choose from!

Are all chicken thighs boneless?

All chicken thighs start by having the bone, but during the process, the bones can be removed to sell as “boneless” in the store. Some people prefer using boneless skinless chicken thighs more than the bone-in option because they’re easy to work with and cook up perfectly.

Any recipe I’ve used them in, they cook wonderfully and taste delicious. They are a kid favorite as well. For an alternative flavor, you can swap olive oil for coconut oil in one pan creating an epic stovetop chicken dish.

Chicken on the stove top recipes is perfect for kids, families, and anyone who is looking for a delicious recipe that doesn’t take a lot of time.

Always cook the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

top-down view of seasoned boneless skinless chicken thighs in skillet

How To Defrost Chicken Quickly

If you want to make the best chicken thigh recipes but you find that your boneless chicken thighs are frozen, there are ways that you can get them unthawed quickly!

Grab your frozen chicken thighs and put them in a tightly sealed plastic bag
Make certain your sink is empty and fill it with cold water
Take your plastic bag with chicken thighs and immerse into the sink full of water
Set a timer and change out the water every half over to keep it nice and cold
For every pound of chicken, it will take a little over an hour to thaw completely and be ready to cook

Tips for Making Chicken Thigh Recipes

Not a fan of orange zest or thyme? Skip it or use your favorite herb instead.
Broil for 3-5 minutes for golden brown chicken.
Use a large stainless steel, non-stick or cast iron pan that can easily fit 5-6 chicken thighs.
Allow the seared chicken thighs to cook fully on each side. Do not attempt to move until ready to flip. If you find the chicken sticking to your pan, it is not ready to flip. Chicken should easily lift off the bottom of the pan.
Looking for a way to use chicken breasts? I have you covered with my Buffalo Chicken Breast and Air Fry Frozen Chicken Breasts.
To cook frozen chicken thighs straight from the freezer, pick between our recipes for Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs or Boiled Chicken.
Instead of tossing the chicken in the sauce, serve on the side. This can be a great option for picky kids who may be hesitant to try new foods. Dipping allows your picky eater to do a taste test of the sauce.
Serve leftovers with any leftover sides the next day or shred to incorporate into a recipe like soups, casseroles, tacos, burritos and enchiladas.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you cook boneless skinless chicken thighs on the stove?

When cooking chicken, it’s important to make certain that it’s cooked all the way through. As a matter of fact, having a meat thermometer when cooking chicken thighs is a must-have item in my house. That way, you never take a chance of not having it cooked properly, eliminating the guessing game and the worry!

For this boneless thighs recipe, the cooking time is going to be at least 20 minutes. Depending on the temp of your skillet, this time could be longer or shorter. This is why a meat thermometer is so handy!

How long to cook boneless skinless chicken thighs on the stove?

These skillet chicken thighs take about 15-20 minutes of cooking time on the stove top.

What is the proper internal temperature of chicken when done?

The internal temperature should always be 165°F before serving.

Can you use bone-in thighs?

Fresh bone-in thighs can be swapped for boneless thighs if preferred. The cooking time will need to be adjusted based on size as typically bone-in takes longer to cook. Our suggestion would be to increase the cooking time by 5 minutes, temp the chicken then repeat if needed.

skillet with seasoned boneless skinless chicken thighs

Storing Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

In the fridge: Store up to 3 days in a covered container.

In the freezer: Store up to 3 months in a covered container or in a Ziploc bag. Store whole or shred prior to freezing.

Reheating Instructions

Wondering if you can reheat chicken thighs the next day? You’re in luck because this boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe tastes delicious the next day.

While many people reheat items in the microwave, I’m not a big fan of that method. It doesn’t evenly reheat and can cause the chicken (and just about everything) to dry out. Instead, reheat your pan-fry chicken thighs in the oven.

1. Start by preheating your oven to 325 degrees.
2. Place the boneless skinless thighs on a baking sheet so that they are spread out and not touching.
3. Use a bit of coconut oil or olive oil and brush the tops of the chicken lightly.
4. Set your timer and bake for around 20 minutes or so, or until they feel warm all the way through.

Kids In The Kitchen

Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.

Let the chicken rest after cooking before slicing to keep moist and juicy.
Prevent overcrowding the skillet by cooking the chicken in a single layer with space between each thigh. Do not stack or overlap the chicken thighs.
Make a double batch of sauce if looking for a dipping sauce to serve on the side.

More Chicken Thigh Recipes

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

Rate Recipe Add to Recipe Box