These Baked Chicken Thighs are super crispy on the outside, incredibly juicy on the inside, and loaded with flavor. They need just a few ingredients, less than 10 minutes to prep and 35 minutes to bake. You won’t believe these are baked, and not fried.
Ok, guys. I have to admit that I cook these chicken thighs often. How often? At least three times a week. This recipe is easy to make, super versatile, and my entire family loves it.
If you want to try other delicious chicken recipes that I often make, make my Baked Lemon Garlic Chicken, Oven Baked Crispy Chicken Tenders that are a keto and gluten-free, or Cream Cheese Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast. Of course, don’t forget the most popular one: Air Fryer Chicken Wings with Buffalo sauce.
It’s not a secret that everyone loves the thigh of the chicken. It’s so flavorful, succulent, and that crispy skin… Oh, divine! If you’re usually cooking chicken breast because it’s easier, well, I have to tell you that baking bone-in chicken thighs are just as easy to make.
To season the chicken, I used my Italian Seasoning, and I highly recommend making yours. You can get creative and use any spice mix you prefer such as homemade chicken seasoning. Chicken seasoning is a great alternative, or you can use Taco seasoning. Whatever you prefer will work here.
Reasons You’ll Love Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Here’s why this is the best way to cook chicken:
- Super juicy meat with extra crispy skin.
- A budget-friendly meal that’s super versatile
- The method for cooking chicken thighs in the oven is super simple.
- Ready in less than 60 minutes with just a handful of ingredients.
How To Make Baked Chicken Thighs Video
Be sure to check out the step-by-step video we made for this recipe and follow along on Youtube and Instagram to see all of the delicious recipes we share!
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Thighs
This recipe needs just 2 pounds of chicken and a few spices. I love sharing recipes that don’t require tons of ingredients.
- Chicken thighs – I used about 2 pounds of bone-in skin-on chicken thighs.
- Olive oil – helps the seasoning stick to the skin, and it helps the skin get super crispy in the oven. You can use unsalted melted butter or avocado oil instead.
- Seasonings – I used a classic blend that includes paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning.
How to Make Baked Crispy Thighs
The secret to making crispy and juicy chicken thighs is to choose bone-in and skin-on. When baked at a higher temperature, the skin crips up nicely, and the bone brings so much flavor while keeping the meat moist. Here are a few steps you should follow to get the best results:
- Preheat the oven to 425F and line a baking sheet with foil to prevent them from sticking.
- Prepare the chicken: Make sure you wash and pat dry the chicken with clean paper towels before Seasoning just as I show in this video. This will prevent the chicken from getting soggy instead of crispy.
- Generously drizzle with olive oil and rub your favorite chicken seasonings on both sides.
- Bake chicken thighs for about 35-40 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165F and the skin looks crispy.
- Serve: Once done, serve warm with your favorite side dish. Enjoy!
How Long to Cook Chicken Thighs?
The best way to tell if your chicken is done and safe to eat is by using a meat thermometer. Insert it in the thickest part of the meat without touching the bone. 165F is the safe internal temperature you should aim for.
However, If you don’t have a meat thermometer, bake the meat until all the juices that come from the chicken are run clear and not pink around the bone.
Here are some recommended guidelines for baking bone-in chicken thighs:
- 350°F/ 175°C – 50-55 minutes
- 375°F/ 190°C – 45-50 minutes
- 400°F/200°C – 40-45 minutes
- 425°F/220°C – 35-40 minutes
Tips and Variations
- Choose chicken thighs that have the same size, so they cook evenly.
- Make sure to pat dry them to remove the extra moisture and allow the chicken to get crispy in the oven.
- Always check the doneness using an instant meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part without touching the bone.
- For some extra heat, brush the chicken thighs with hot sauce or sprinkle some chili flakes.
Can I Bake Boneless Chicken Thighs?
If cooking boneless skinless chicken thighs, reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
How To Serve Baked Chicken Thighs?
Chicken is such a versatile protein and can be served with so many side dishes. You can choose mashed potatoes, oven-baked vegetables, or a simple salad. There are endless options, but here are my favorites:
- Crispy Parmesan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Garlic Butter Whole Roasted Cauliflower Recipe
- Easy Air Fryer Asparagus
- Sauteed Eggplant Recipe
- Easy Fried Cabbage
Storing Leftovers
This recipe is great for meal prep, so you can bake chicken thighs in advance.
- Fridge– store oven-baked chicken thighs in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezer-cooked chicken thighs can be stored in the freezer for up to 4 months.
- Reheating– You can reheat them in the oven at 325F for about 10 minutes or in the microwave for 2-3 minutes.
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Marry Me Chicken
- Chicken Shawarma
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Easy Creamy Chicken Marsala Recipe
- Pizza Stuffed Chicken
- Easy Keto Teriyaki Chicken
- Easy and Juicy Grilled Chicken Kabobs with Vegetables
- One-Skillet Creamy Tuscan Chicken – Easy & Low Carb
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Description
Ingredients
- 2 pounds bone-in chicken thighs with skin
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°F / 220°C and line a baking sheet with foil or spray it with non-stick spray.
- Arrange the chicken on the baking sheet and pat dry with paper towels on both sides.
- In a small bowl, combine salt, garlic powder, pepper, paprika, and Italian Seasoning.
- Sprinkle the spice mix over the chicken.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes in the preheated oven or until the chicken reaches an inner temperature of 165°F. You can broil for an extra 2-3 minutes to crisp even more.
- Enjoy!
Video
How do we calculate the nutrition info?
These nutrition facts listed are determined using nutrition information from the USDA Food Database. Our nutrition facts are accurate, but if you are using different products, please make your calculations. Net carb count is calculated by subtracting both fiber and sugar alcohols because they don’t raise blood sugar.
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