10 Creative Ways to Use Chicken Thighs for Meal Prep

Picture coming home to a fridge stocked with homemade, ready-to-eat meals or prepped ingredients, eliminating the last-minute rush of deciding what to make for dinner. By prepping meals or ingredients ahead of time, you can minimize cooking time after a busy day, reduce stress around mealtime, and make healthier choices more accessible than opting for less nutritious takeout.

There are many ways to approach meal prepping. One popular method is to cook a staple ingredient in bulk, such as grains or proteins, and incorporate them into different meals throughout the week. To help you get started, we're focusing on one of our favorite proteins for meal prep: chicken thighs. We'll walk you through chicken thigh prep ideas, simple recipes for your Sunday meal prep, and 10 creative ways to use your prepared chicken thighs in quick dinners all week long.

Why Chicken Thighs are Perfect for Meal Prep

Chicken thighs are an incredibly adaptable protein, ideal for quick and easy meals. They’re perfect for meal prep because they’re simple to cook, stay juicy and tender after reheating, and can be enjoyed both warm and cold. With their ability to pair seamlessly with a variety of seasonings, chicken thighs can be used in countless meal prep combinations, from serving with grains and veggies to being incorporated into more elaborate dishes.

Chicken Thigh Meal Prep Ideas

Chicken thighs can be baked, pan-fried, grilled, or even slow-cooked. We recommend choosing one of these delicious meal prep recipes to cook a big batch (or even a double batch) of chicken thighs during your Sunday prep session. Then, use the prepared chicken throughout the week for quick and satisfying meals.

Crispy & Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs

"As the name suggests, these are crispy on the outside and tender on the inside! I absolutely love this recipe and didn’t change a thing. The only tweak I made was loosening the skin a bit to rub the seasoning directly on the meat. This is definitely a recipe I’ll make over and over! Thanks for sharing it." – Jac75

Simple Garlic Broiled Chicken

"I made this for dinner tonight, and it was a big hit! Even my picky 2-year-old ate every last bite :-). My husband couldn’t stop praising it and kept telling me how amazing it was as he was eating." – Marissa Aniel Johnson

Image by Anna.

Grilled Tandoori Chicken Thighs

"Having visited India and lived in Malaysia, where there’s a large Indian community, I know what authentic Tandoori tastes like. This recipe is fantastic, especially considering you're not using a traditional Tandoor oven." – CINDYG99

Photo courtesy of Kitchen Kitty.

Honey-Garlic Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs

"This recipe is simple to make and uses common pantry ingredients, which is always a win! I doubled the chicken thighs (but kept the other ingredients the same) and froze half for a quick meal later." – Paula

10 Creative Ways to Use Chicken Thighs for Quick Meals

All of these recipes use pre-cooked chicken, and most can be ready in 30 minutes or less—making them ideal for quick meals. You can easily substitute cooked chicken thighs wherever cooked chicken breast is called for in the ingredients list.

1. Main Course Green Salads

Lettuce-based salads provide the perfect base for meal-prep chicken. Use these ideas as a starting point, and feel free to add whatever ingredients you have on hand in the fridge. These salads are quick and come together in under 20 minutes.

Spinach Salad with Chicken, Avocado, and Goat Cheese

Image courtesy of Kim's Cooking Now!.

Kale, Swiss Chard, Chicken, and Feta Salad

Discover more main course salad recipes.

2. Main Course Cold Noodle and Grain Salads

Unlike fresh lettuce salads, cold pasta and grain salads improve as they sit and the flavors meld together, making them perfect for preparing in advance. You can make a large batch and enjoy it over several days. Here are two examples of noodle and grain salads where you can incorporate your prepped chicken thighs:

Sesame Pasta Chicken Salad

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Image courtesy of ephemeral.

3. Tex-Mex Inspired Dishes

Combine shredded or chopped cooked chicken thighs with cheese, then grill between flour tortillas for a fast and flavorful quesadilla. Or explore these other simple recipes to transform chicken thighs into a weeknight fiesta.

Mini Chicken and Mango Tostadas

Image courtesy of bd.weld.

Chicken Enchiladas II

4. Grain Bowls and Jars

By combining a hearty whole grain, fresh or cooked vegetables, and chicken thighs in a bowl or jar, you can create a filling and nutritious meal. A simple dressing or sauce brings all the ingredients together for a satisfying dish.

Baja-Style Chicken Bowl

Photo courtesy of Linda T.

Asian Chicken Salad in a Jar

Explore more recipes for noodle bowls and rice bowls.

5. Hearty Soups and Chilis

Prepare comforting meals quickly by adding chicken thighs to soups and chilis. It’s also an excellent way to turn a small amount of leftover chicken into a hearty, satisfying dish.

Chicken Zoodle Soup

Quick and Simple Chicken Chili

Image courtesy of Dinogo.

Discover more recipes for chicken soup and chicken chili.

6. Delicious Wraps and Sandwiches

Chop or shred your meal prep chicken thighs and use them as a filling for wraps or sandwiches. Alternatively, turn them into a rich and creamy chicken salad perfect for sandwiches.

Chicken Pesto Paninis

California Club Chicken Wrap

Photo courtesy of Molly.

Explore more recipes for chicken sandwiches.

7. Flatbreads and Pizzas

Swap the traditional pepperoni for cooked chicken and unlock a variety of exciting pizza options. Use store-bought pizza dough, tortillas, or pre-baked pizza crusts to speed up prep time.

Chicken Garlic Pizza

Image courtesy of LynnInHK.

BBQ Chicken Tortilla Pizza

Photo courtesy of Sugarplum. Sugarplum

Discover more recipes for chicken pizza.

8. Asian-Inspired Meals

Asian dishes are typically quick to make, especially when using pre-cooked chicken thighs. These recipes are also packed with vegetables, making them a great option for turning a small amount of leftover chicken into a hearty meal.

Thai Spicy Basil Chicken Fried Rice

Photo courtesy of ccasmoe20.

Spicy Chicken Noodles

9. Pot Pies and Casseroles

Turn leftover or prepped chicken thighs into comforting pot pies or casseroles. Though these dishes take a little longer to cook, most of the time is spent hands-off while the dish bakes in the oven.

Quick Chicken Pot Pie

Image courtesy of kemeky.

Broccoli Chicken Divan

Explore more recipes for chicken pot pie and chicken casseroles.

10. Pasta Dishes

You can never go wrong with pasta. Adding a lean protein like cooked chicken thighs to pasta dishes is a simple way to make a balanced, wholesome meal.

Greek Chicken Pasta

Chicken, Spinach, and Cheese Pasta Bake