Name: Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomato Sauce and Za’atar
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 25 min
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons za’atar, (divided); 1 teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs; Kosher salt and black pepper; Extra virgin olive oil; 1 medium yellow onion, (halved and thinly sliced); 2 medium garlic cloves, (thinly sliced); 3 cups fresh cherry tomatoes; 1 large lemon, (zested and juiced); 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, (for garnish)

These skillet chicken thighs with cherry tomato sauce are a quick, flavor-packed dinner you can put together in one pan and just 20 minutes!

A serving of the skillet chicken thighs on a plate with a fork. Next to this is a knife, the rest of the recipe in a skillet with a serving spoon, and a glass of water. — Photo Credits: Mark Beahm

All you need is one trusty skillet and a package of chicken thighs for a bold, yet easy dinner. It’s no secret that chicken thighs are one of my favorite shortcut ingredients to get dinner on the table fast.

To put together this quick meal, I coated them in a warm spice blend with za’atar, paprika, and a hint of heat from red pepper flakes. After browning them, I simmer them in a simple cherry tomato sauce, brightened with lemon and finished with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

What I love most about this recipe is how the pan does the work. Flavorful cherry tomatoes have intense sweetness—they’re never watery like larger tomatoes, even in the colder months. Sautéed, then simmered, with onion and garlic, they collapse quickly into a rustic sauce.

It’s perfect in late summer when you can practically get cherry tomatoes by the bucketful, but it’s consistently good even made with less-than-perfect tomatoes. You can serve this dish over fluffy couscous, warm rice, or just with some crusty bread to soak up the sauce.

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomato Sauce

For the Chicken Thighs:
For the Cherry Tomato Sauce:

Ingredient Spotlight
How to Make Skillet Chicken Thighs and Cherry Tomato Sauce
Make it Your Own
What to Serve with Skillet Chicken Thighs
More Weeknight-Friendly Chicken Thigh Recipes
Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomato Sauce and Za’atar Recipe

Ingredients for skillet chicken thighs including chicken thighs, cherry tomatoes, za'atar, sweet spanish paprika, garlic powder, aleppo pepper, salt, black pepper, olive oil, onion, garlic, lemon and parsley.

Ingredients for Skillet Chicken Thighs with Cherry Tomato Sauce

This easy skillet chicken is made with just a few ingredients, but don’t let that fool you—the flavor is incredible! The real magic comes from a few well-chosen seasonings. Here’s everything you’ll need.

For the Chicken Thighs:

Chicken thighs: I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs because they require no prep, cook quickly, and stay juicy. You can substitute breasts or tenders, if you prefer, but know that they’ll cook faster and, because they’re leaner, they’re more prone to drying out, so adjust the cook time accordingly.
Za’atar: This earthy, tangy spice blend does double duty in these skillet chicken thighs: first in the spice rub to give the chicken deep, herbaceous flavor, and then again to season the cherry tomato sauce. More on this spice cabinet staple of mine in a moment.
Sweet Spanish paprika adds warmth and depth of flavor—and beautiful red-orange color—without any heat.
Garlic powder, in combination with fresh garlic in the tomato sauce, gives the chicken a boost of its distinctive, savory flavor.
Red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper: Use either for a touch of gentle heat. I love Aleppo pepper’s fruity, slightly smoky flavor.
- READ MORE: What Is Aleppo Pepper and How to Use It
- TRY IT: Grab a bottle of our Aleppo-style pepper
Kosher salt and black pepper: Season generously to bring out all the flavors.

For the Cherry Tomato Sauce:

Extra virgin olive oil helps brown the chicken and onions to give the sauce a round, rich flavor. I always cook with a bold, peppery olive oil. I tested this recipe with our Arbequina olive oil, which has an herbal quality that goes so well with za’atar.
- READ MORE: Cooking with Olive Oil: Everything You Need to Know
- TRY IT: Arbequina Olive Oil from California’s Northern Central Valley
Onion and garlic form the base of the sauce and add sweetness and depth.
Cherry tomatoes give this quick pan sauce loads of sweetness and tangy flavor. You can use grape tomatoes or slightly larger salad tomatoes, too.
Lemon juice in the sauce balances the richness of the chicken and olive oil. I like to add lemon zest at the very last moment to keep its fresh aroma.
Fresh parsley: A final sprinkle gives the skillet a fresh, clean finish and nice color contrast.

Ingredient Spotlight

If you’ve been cooking Mediterranean food with me for a while, you’ve already heard me talk about za’atar. It’s one of my favorite spice blends and an absolute staple in my kitchen!

This earthy, citrusy, and slightly nutty blend is made with wild thyme (or oregano), toasted sesame seeds, and tangy sumac. It’s bold but balanced, and it has a way of transforming everyday ingredients into something truly special.

READ MORE: What is Za’atar and How to Use It
TRY IT: If you don’t already have za’atar in your spice drawer, grab some at our shop.

A closeup of chicken thighs in a cherry tomato sauce in a skillet.

How to Make Skillet Chicken Thighs and Cherry Tomato Sauce

This one-pan chicken dinner comes together quickly and is full of bold, comforting flavor. Here’s how:

Mix the seasoning. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon za’atar, 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes or Aleppo pepper
Season the chicken. Pat dry 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, then season them on both sides with the spice blend and a generous pinch of kosher salt and black pepper (about 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon each).
Sauté the aromatics. In a large non-stick or cast-iron skillet with a lid, heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add 1 thinly sliced yellow onion and a pinch of salt. Cook for about 4 minutes, then add 2 sliced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds more.
Sear the chicken and cook the cherry tomato sauce. Zest and juice 1 large lemon. Add the seasoned chicken thighs to the skillet. Cook undisturbed for 4 to 5 minutes on one side, until golden brown, then flip. Pour in 3 cups fresh cherry tomatoes, the lemon juice, 1 teaspoon za’atar, and another pinch of salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes, until the tomatoes burst and create a silky sauce. You can help them along by gently crushing them with the back of a spoon.
Finish and serve. Remove the skillet from the heat. Drizzle with a little more extra virgin olive oil, then sprinkle with lemon zest and 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread, rice, or couscous.

Make it Your Own

It’s easy to riff on this one-pan supper. Here are a few ways you can customize it:

Make it smoky: Swap the sweet paprika for smoked Spanish paprika to give the sauce a dose of smoky flavor.
Add roasted red peppers: The combination of red peppers and tomatoes is a classic. Add in a drained jar of store-bought roasted red peppers or simply drop in some homemade ones to give the sauce an extra layer of flavor.
Add olives for a briny bite: Stir in a handful of pitted Kalamata olives with the tomatoes for a deliciously savory twist.
Make it spicy: Double the red pepper flakes or add a dab of harissa along with the tomatoes to give the sauce an extra kick.

A serving of the skillet chicken thighs on a plate with a fork. Next to this is a knife, the rest of the recipe in a skillet with a serving spoon, a small bowl of chopped parsley, two lemon wedges and a glass of water.

What to Serve with Skillet Chicken Thighs

I love this simple chicken with another new favorite recipe, Lemony Spinach Couscous. You could also serve the chicken and sauce over bulgur, brown rice, or farro, or serve it with crusty olive bread to soak up the delicious cherry tomato sauce. Add a refreshing and crunchy Italian chopped salad to add a rainbow of vegetables and flavors that complement its sweet, savory flavor.