Quick and easy Pan Fried Chicken Thighs for a delicious weeknight entree.
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Mmmm chicken thighs are my most favourite protein! Well, let’s not get carried away, I don’t think it gets any better than BBQ Pulled Pork or Instant Pot Carnitas… But besides those, chicken thighs are my most favourite protein!
There are so many things you can do with them from fancy dishes like Prosciutto Wrapped Pesto Chicken Thighs to slow cooker deliciousness like Thai Coconut Curry Chicken.
Wether you are looking for a quick protein for an easy weeknight dinner or something to pair with a salad, these Pan Fried Chicken Thighs are sure to please!
Why it works
- These epic Pan Fried Chicken Thighs are ready in no time. 5 minutes of prep and 15 minutes to fry!
- They are boldly flavoured with delicious spices and fried in hot oil so the outside is crisp, leaving the inside nice and juicy.
- There are loads of dishes that can be created with this yummy recipe, making them as versatile as they are easy.
Ingredients
- boneless skinless chicken thighs
- paprika
- basil
- garlic powder
- thyme
- onion powder
- cayenne
- ground black pepper
- sea salt
Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – It’s a rare day in my house when I bring boneless skinless chicken thighs home from the supermarket. I just can’t justify spending three times as much on a product I can do myself in no time… unless of course they are on sale, then I go CRAZY!
Deboning chicken is super easy! Here’s how to do it: Remove the skin. Flip the thigh over so you have access to the underside. Cut beside the bone on both sides, all the way down, until the bone has been completely exposed. Cut underneath the bone and try not to cut all the way through to the other side of the thigh. Remove the bone and feel around for any other little bits of cartilage that may have been left behind. You can remove the larger chunks of fat you see as well. Do you want watch the process? Here is a great video so you can see it done.
Pan fried chicken thighs recipe
Heat a pan on medium high heat and add some oil. Toss the chicken thighs with a touch of oil, then with the spices.
Once the oil in the pan is hot, sear the chicken thighs until fully cooked. The internal temperature should read at least 165° at the thickest part of the largest thigh. That’s it! Enjoy 😘
Expert Tips
- Unless you can find a good deal on boneless skinless chicken thighs, deboning them yourself is super easy. Follow this tutorial to learn how it’s done!
- Do you like spicy foods? Try doubling the cayenne in this recipe.
- It’s important to check your chicken with a digital meat thermometer. Uncooked chicken can make you very sick, whereas over done chicken is dry and not as appealing.
How do you fry chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet?
The exact same way you would in any skillet! Make sure you don’t skip out on the oil and pre heat your pan. I love my cast iron skillet and use it all the time.
After the chicken has been removed, clean your pan right away. If it is beautifully seasoned, do what you normally do to take care of it.
If you find the chicken has stuck a bit, you can try simmering some water in the pan for a minute or two to loosen the browned bits. Scrape the pan clean with a non abrasive tool, then wash and dry as normal.
What pairs with Pan Fried Chicken Thighs
There are so many dishes that pair great with Pan Fried Chicken Thighs! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Mama Bear’s Garden Salad
- Mashed potatoes
- Roasted Vegetables
- Cheesy Focaccia Flatbread
Low Carb Side Dishes
Looking for some yummy low carb sides to pair with these delicious Pan Fried Chicken Thighs? Here are a few options:
- Green Beans with Bacon and Almonds
- Kale Caesar Salad
- Cauliflower Rice
- Tomato Basil Flatbread
- Broccoli Salad with Bacon, Cheddar and Kale
Here are some other recipe you might like:
Prosciutto, Pesto and Feta Stuffed Flank Steak
Prosciutto Bocconcini Stuffed Low Carb Burgers
Spinach and Feta Stuffed Greek Chicken
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Pan Fried Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken thighs about 8 thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ¾ tsp garlic powder
- ¾ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ¼ tsp ground cayenne
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- 1 ¼ tsp sea salt
Instructions
Equipment Needed
- Medium mixing bowl
Directions
- Heat a pan on medium high heat and add 1 tbsp oil. Mix 1 tbsp olive oil into the thighs, then toss them with the paprika, basil, garlic, thyme, onion, cayenne, pepper and salt.
- Once the oil in the pan is hot, sear the chicken thighs until fully cooked. The internal temperature should read at least 165° at the thickest part of the largest thigh.
- Serve hot or cool to top a salad.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Unless you can find a good deal on boneless skinless chicken thighs, deboning them yourself is super easy. Follow this tutorial to learn how it’s done!
- Do you like spicy foods? Try doubling the cayenne in this recipe.
- It’s important to check your chicken with a digital meat thermometer. Uncooked chicken can make you very sick, whereas over done chicken is dry and not as appealing.
I recently got a cast iron skillet and love it! I’m loving the golden crust on these chicken thighs!