Baked Chicken Thighs
12 Comments
Posted: 05/10/23
Updated: 08/18/23
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An easy dinner recipe for weeknights! These Baked Chicken Thighs with the perfect amount of seasoning are so tender and juicy on the inside with a perfectly crispy skin! They are so easy to make with pantry staple ingredients and a fail proof method.
I don’t think there can ever be enough chicken recipes! We eat a lot of chicken and so I love to come up with new ideas so we don’t get bored.
These baked chicken thighs is one of my favorite recipes – quick, easy, and perfect for weeknights! Oh, and did you know you can make chicken thighs in the slow cooker too?
Don’t love thighs? That’s okay because I have amazing chicken legs, chicken wings, and bbq chicken marinade recipes you can make instead!
Why This Recipe Works
If you do love thighs, then keep reading because I think you will love this recipe.
- For this recipe, I use bone-in, skin-on thighs. They are roasted in the oven and come out so juicy with crispy skin.
- I use a really simple seasoning rub that gives them tons of flavor and helps crispy up the skin, too.
- They pair with so many side dishes so you can add this recipe to your weekly rotation and just change up the sides so it never gets boring!
Don’t feel like turning on the oven? Save this recipe for later and give my air fryer thighs a try instead!
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Breasts
- Chicken Thighs – Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs – about 6 to 8 thighs.
- Olive oil – Helps the chicken get that nice brown skin.
- Seasoning: We used a blend of sea salt, ground black pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika, chili powder and onion powder which is our famous BBQ Rub that you can purchase here and great on all chicken!
Switch up the Chicken!
Best part about this is that you can use any chicken you want. Switch out the thighs for drumsticks, wings or breasts. Just remember to adjust your cooking time accordingly.
Products Needed
How to Make Baked Chicken Breasts
Line the baking sheet with foil. This will make it easy to clean up.
In a small bowl, combine all of the seasonings.
Pat the thighs dry with a paper towel. Doing this will help make the skin really crispy as it cooks.
Place them on the pan and brush or rub them with the oil.
Coat them evenly in with the spice rub. Coat them on all sides and then make sure they are skin-side up before they go in the oven.
Bake the thighs for 35 to 45 minutes at 400°F or until the internal temperature is 165°F and the juices run clear.
Rest the chicken for five minutes before serving.
How to Store Leftover Chicken Thighs
Refrigerator – Let cool completely before placing chicken in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Freezer – Let cool completely before placing chicken in an airtight container. Place in the freezer for up to 4 months.
How to Reheat Chicken Thighs
Oven – This is our preferred way of reheating because it keeps the skin crispy. Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. Place chicken on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Brush tops of thighs with olive oil, then cover with foil. Cook until internal temperature reaches 165 degree F.
Microwave – Place chicken on a microwave safe plate. Cover dish with microwave safe plastic wrap and cook for 2 minutes at at a time or until internal temperature reaches 165 degree F. You can brush the chicken with olive oil before warming to keep it moist.
Pro Tips!
- We used bone-in and skin on chicken thighs because we think it produces the best results. You can also use boneless or skinless. If you use boneless it will take about 10 minutes less time to cook so keep an eye them.
- Don’t forget to pat the chicken dry with a paper towel. It will help the chicken sear and get nice and crispy!
- Remember to make sure you chicken is at 165 degrees F before consuming. We recommend using a meat thermometer to check it.
- To crisp up the skin turn on broiler and broil the chicken for 1-2 minutes or until skin is at preferred cripsiness. Remember to keep an eye on this as it turns crisp quickly! Don’t burn the skin!
- Let chicken sit 10 minutes before cutting to let the juices redistribute. This will help the chicken be juicy and tender!
What To Serve With Chicken Thighs
Need some side dish ideas to pair with your oven-baked chicken thighs? Here are some easy ones you might like to try:
- Beans: Pair them with Baked Beans or Calico Beans.
- Veggies: Roasted Sweet Potatoes, Smashed Potatoes, Crispy Broccoli, Air Fryer Asparagus, or Roasted Vegetables are always delicious!
- Salad: Cool and creamy Broccoli Salad or Dill Potato Salad work well, too!
- Bread: Try my Copycat Texas Roadhouse Rolls with Cinnamon Butter for a real treat! Or you might like some easy Breadsticks, too.
These are seriously the best baked chicken thighs! They are so juicy and that seasoned crispy skin just takes them over the top. I know this recipe is going to end up in your go-to favorites file – be sure to try them this week!
More Easy Dinner Recipes
I’ve got you covered with so many easy dinner recipes! Here are a few more you have to try:
- Make my Baked Meatballs and serve them with spaghetti and sauce or serve them with mashed potatoes or rice with gravy!
- Crock Pot Spaghetti is so easy and always a hit!
- Skip the box and make Homemade Hamburger Helper – is so easy and so much better!
- For an easy, comforting meal make Linguini Casserole. It’s so creamy and cheesy!
- Baked Parmesan Crusted Chicken is covered in Parmesan cheese and seasoned panko bread crumbs and baked until perfectly crispy.
Did you make this? If you snap a photo, please be sure tag me on Instagram at @julieseatsandtreats or #julieseatsandtreats so I can see your yummy treat!
Baked Chicken Thighs
Tender, juicy Baked Chicken thighs with crispy seasoned skin!
Video
Ingredients
- 3 pounds skin-on bone-in chicken thighs about 6-8
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
Rub
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with foil for easy clean up. Set aside.
- In a small bowl combine all the rub ingredients. Set aside.
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Drizzle thighs with olive oil, rubbing the oil into the chicken to coat.
- Sprinkle rub mixture evenly over the chicken thighs. Turn the thighs over and evenly sprinkle remaining seasoning mixture on top. Make sure chicken thighs are skin-side up.
- Place the baking sheet in a preheated oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature is 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove from oven let rest for 5 minutes and serve.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 468kcal (23%), Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 32g (64%), Fat: 37g (57%), Saturated Fat: 9g (56%), Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 189mg (63%), Sodium: 538mg (23%), Potassium: 416mg (12%), Fiber: 1g (4%), Sugar: 1g (1%), Vitamin A: 340IU (7%), Vitamin C: 1mg (1%), Calcium: 19mg (2%), Iron: 1mg (6%)
Ruth Ann says
Delicious will cook them this way all the time’s
Julie Evink says
Yay! Thank you Ruth!
Ruth Ann says
Delicious will cook them this way again. Will only coook your recipe for baked chicken drumsticks as well. Family loved both
Charlie says
Cooked these for dinner tonight with zucchini fritters and rice. We really enjoyed them.
Julie Evink says
So glad you enjoyed them Charlie! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Kathryn says
Is this correct to bake 40-45 min at 400? That’s a long time at such a high temp!
Julie Evink says
Yes that is correct.
Fran says
Best juicey crispy chicken thighs I’ve fixed, or eaten. Tasty you bet. Thanks for the recipe.
Julie Evink says
You’re welcome! Thanks for commenting and rating the recipe!
Malinda says
The kids loved this chicken!!! They liked it so much that there were no leftovers!!!
Danielle says
I love chicken and always looking for a new recipe! This one is a new favorite!
Alison says
Made the outside crispy and inside tender & flavorful! Love this new method of cooking chicken.