The number one thing you need to know about bone-in, skin-on Baked Chicken Thighs is that my family SMASHES them anytime I serve them for dinner. Plates are licked clean, complaints are non-existent, plus they require 5 minutes of prep time and bake hands-off in the oven which I of course love. This easy baked chicken recipe is the unicorn of chicken dinners!
Watch How to Make Them
Ingredients Needed
I love this meal because it is SO SIMPLE. Aside from the chicken thighs, all you need are a handful of everyday, pantry staples.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs: are an economical and flavorful cut of chicken that’s very hard to overcook (more on that below). Seasoning mix: a simple blend of dried herbs and spices takes seconds to mix together and adds a ton of flavor. You’ll need salt, pepper, both onion and garlic powders, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Add a dash of cayenne pepper for a little heat. Extra virgin olive oil: helps the seasoning mix adhere to the chicken thighs, and gets the skin golden brown and crispy.
Why You’ll Love Easy Baked Chicken Thighs
My #1 Secret for Juicy and Tender Chicken Thighs
Overcook them. Yes! Dark meat becomes more tender the longer it cooks because it has more connective tissue than white meat. The connective tissues break down the hotter the internal temperature becomes which renders the chicken thighs juicy, moist, and tender. LOOK AT THIS GOODNESS!!
Baking Temperature and Timing
While chicken thighs only need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees as read by a meat thermometer, I recommend you bake them until they reach 180 – 190 degrees. This takes 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees. We swear by this Thermapen for taking accurate internal temperature readings. Honestly I’ve pulled the chicken thighs out of the oven at 200+ degrees from time to time and they’re still so delicious and tender. If you’re the type of person that gets nervous about undercooking chicken, then chicken thigh recipes are definitely for you.
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs
Baked Chicken Thighs lend themselves extremely well to the Midwestern “meat + veggie + starch” dinner trifecta. Since the oven is already on at 400 degrees, I typically serve the chicken thighs with a roasted vegetable or fresh salad plus some sort of potato. Here are some more side dish ideas to help round out the meal:
Roasted cauliflower: toss cauliflower florets with extra virgin olive oil and seasonings then roast for 15-20 minutes. Roasted broccoli: toss broccoli florets with extra virgin olive oil and seasonings then roast for 10-15 minutes Roasted brussels sprouts: toss shredded brussels sprouts with extra virgin olive oil and seasonings then roast for 10 minutes. Roasted potato wedges Roasted spaghetti squash Store-bought frozen french fries: sweet potato or regular Side salad Healthy Mashed Potatoes Seasoned Broiled Potatoes Baked potatoes Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms Gluten Free Focaccia Gluten Free Cornbread Creamy Garlic Shells Steamed green beans, sweet corn, or broccoli. Air Fryer Asparagus Air Fryer Corn on the Cob
Alright, let’s get this easy chicken dinner recipe on the table!
How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Pat the chicken thighs dry.
Start by trimming the chicken thighs of any excess skin then pat them very dry on both sides with paper towels.
Step 2: Place chicken thighs in a baking dish.
Transfer the chicken thighs into a 9×13″ or similar-sized baking dish. They can be touching but not overlapping.
Step 3: Combine the seasoning mix.
Next, in a small bowl stir together salt, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Feel free to use your favorite seasoning mix, or simply salt and pepper which is also very delicious.
Step 4: Drizzle the thighs with extra virgin olive oil.
Now drizzle extra virgin olive oil over the tops of the chicken thighs. Chicken skin is very fatty, so you just need a little bit to help the seasoning adhere to the skin.
Step 5: Sprinkle on the seasoning mix.
Sprinkle the seasoning mix over the top then use your hands to evenly coat the fronts, backs, and sides of the chicken thighs with oil and seasonings.
Step 6: Bake.
Pop the baking dish into a preheated, 400 degree oven then bake for 30-40 minutes or until the thickest part of the chicken thigh reaches an internal temperature of 180-190 degrees. Again, the chicken is technically cooked through and safe to eat at 165 degrees, but we’re tacking on extra baking time to render the thighs extremely tender and juicy. There is no need to rotate the pan or flip the chicken thighs at any point during the baking process.
Let the chicken thighs rest in the baking pan for at least 10 minutes then serve ’em on up! Wasn’t that easy?
Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400 degrees?
I recommend baking the chicken thighs at 400 degrees for less time to ensure the chicken thighs stay nice and juicy, vs baking for longer at 350 degrees and running the risk of drying them out.
What is the baking time for chicken thighs?
Bake bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for 30-40 minutes. Boneless skinless chicken thighs will need about 10 less minutes to bake.
What temperature does a chicken thigh need to be cooked to?
Technically chicken thighs only need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, though I recommend you bake them to 180-190 for very tender chicken thighs.
Can I freeze baked chicken thighs?
I recommend removing the meat from the bones then freezing the meat flat in a Ziplock freezer bag, vs freezing the entire baked thigh with the skin and meat still on the bone.
I hope you’ll give these juicy, best ever oven-baked chicken thighs a try for dinner tonight then let me know what you think! Enjoy!
More Irresistible Chicken Recipes
Easiest Baked Chicken Breast Chicken Meatballs One Pot Chicken and Rice Chicken and Smoked Sausage Gumbo Cast Iron Roast Chicken One Pot Gnocchi Chicken Pot Pie
Photos by Ashley McLaughlin
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