When it comes to quick and tasty chicken dinners, we head straight for chicken thighs. They’re juicy, flavourful and cook faster than chicken breasts or other bone-in cuts. That’s because they’re thinner than other chicken parts. They’re also easier on the budget—and if you find value packs on sale? Grab them. We’ve got all the chicken thigh dinner ideas you need, from our favourite chicken sheet pan recipe, to those sweet, sour and sticky sauces that kids love.
These recipes are also simple enough for kids to help with. Get them whisking up a marinade or tossing together a few simple ingredients. Sure, it might be a little messier, but raising kids who love cooking is worth it, right?
Image source: theHUB from Walmart.ca
Ready in: 1 hour
Why we love it: Sweet and sour with a hit of smoky heat—these juicy chicken thighs speak to all our barbecue cravings and the kids love them too. If you don’t want to barbecue, no problem. They’re easy to cook on a stovetop grill pan instead.
How kids can help: Let the kids measure and mix the marinade ingredients before you throw it all into the blender. They can also help toss the chicken in the sauce—just make sure they wash their hands well before and after.
Missing any ingredients? Order tomato sauce, maple syrup, chipotle peppers in adobo sauce and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: Love and Other Spices
Ready in: 1 hour
Why we love it: This chicken curry recipe is full of flavour. It has a nice kick to it, but if your family doesn’t do spicy, you can reduce the chili powder or cayenne pepper to half a teaspoon. You can even make your own homemade curry powder. It only takes five minutes.
How kids can help: Grinding whole spices is fun! But if you’re not feeling up to it, at least you can let the kids get their hands dirty marinating the chicken. (Again, wash those hands, little people!)
Missing any ingredients? Order turmeric, coconut milk, ginger and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: theHUB from Walmart.ca
Ready in: 45 minutes
Why we love it: This Caribbean-inspired dish is a crowd pleaser and perfect for kids who like their chicken less saucy. Serve with a side of rice and peas and tangy coleslaw for dinner with all the fixings.
How kids can help: There’s almost nothing to this recipe—all the more reason to let kids do the prep! Simply combine brown sugar, salt and spices, coat the chicken and add it to a roasting pan with butter.
Missing any ingredients? Order brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: Erik Putz (Today’s Parent)
Ready in: 30 minutes
Why we love it: This is one of our favourite easy chicken thigh dinner ideas for kids. It only takes 10 minutes to prep and it’s ready as soon as the rice is done cooking. Kids love the sweetness and the adults will appreciate the hint of sriracha in the sauce. It’s also the perfect recipe to reinvent for lunch the next day, like simple and delicious chicken lettuce wraps.
How kids can help: Let your kid mix up the marinade in a bowl: sweet chili sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic and sriracha. If you’re serving rice, you can also let them rinse it beforehand, they’ll love the sensory play here.
Missing any ingredients? Order low-sodium soy sauce, sriracha and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: theHUB from Walmart.ca
Ready in: 1 hour and 5 minutes
Why we love it: Just three simple ingredients—yogurt, lemon and garlic—make a creamy and flavourful Mediterranean-style marinade. You can easily sub the chicken leg quarters in this recipe with kid-friendly boneless chicken thighs. They’ll cook quicker too.
How kids can help: Put your kid’s muscles to work crushing garlic. You can also let them mix up the marinade and help dress the potato salad, including picking the feathery dill fronds from the stem.
Missing any ingredients? Order yogurt, lemon, fresh dill and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: Erik Putz (Chatelaine)
Ready in: 45 minutes
Why we love it: This is one of those easy, healthy dinner ideas that has it all—tangy chicken thighs, sweet orange slices, crispy kale, caramelized sweet potatoes and red onion cooked all on one baking sheet. The prep is so easy for this sheet-pan dinner—the oven does most of the work for you.
How kids can help: This recipe was practically made for helping hands. Just dump all the ingredients onto your baking sheet, toss with olive oil, smoked paprika, salt and mix it all up.
Missing any ingredients? Order kale, sweet potato, smoked paprika and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: theHUB from Walmart.ca
Ready in: 45 minutes
Why we love it: Crispy boneless chicken thighs in a rich and creamy mushroom sauce is a comforting and kid-friendly weeknight dinner. Serve with a side of pasta, rice or a big bowl of mashed potatoes for extra indulgence.
How kids can help: Let kids practice their chopping skills on those tender cremini mushrooms. A butter knife or plastic serrated knife is all they need.
Missing any ingredients? Order olive oil, mushrooms, heavy cream and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: Food Network Canada
Ready in: 6 hours
Why we love it: Soy sauce, honey, garlic and ginger make up the finger-licking sweet and sticky sauce in this kid-friendly chicken thigh recipe. If you like your sauce extra thick, simply add a bit of cornstarch at the end and cook a little longer.
How kids can help: Let them whisk this simple marinade together and pour it over the chicken thighs in the slow cooker. Then just set it and forget it.
Missing any ingredients? Order soy sauce, honey, garlic and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Image source: Jeff Coulson (Canadian Living)
Ready in: 30 minutes
Why we love it: If your kids love jalapeno poppers, then these crunchy, cheesy chicken thighs are a perfect kid-friendly dinner. This recipe earns bonus points for using five ingredients or less. In this case, all you need is boneless skinless chicken thighs, cheddar, cream cheese, jalapeno peppers and panko breadcrumbs.
How kids can help: Let your kid (carefully) pound the chicken thighs with the side of a rolling pin to tenderize them. How often do they get to smash things on purpose? They’ll love it.
Missing any ingredients? Order cream cheese, bread crumbs, cheddar cheese and more through Walmart.ca Grocery Pickup & Delivery.
Shop Chicken Thigh Recipe Ingredients
Article Sources
- 9 Surprising Benefits of Curry Powder. Healthline.
- Today’s Parent. Sweet and Saucy Chicken Thighs.
- 10 Health Benefits of Kale. Healthline.
- Cook Until the Juices Run Clear—Fact or Fiction? Cook’s Illustrated.
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