These baked chicken thighs are crispy on the outside and juicy inside, with the most delicious seasonings. They are incredibly easy to make and perfect for dinner any night of the week!
Oh How We Love These Baked Chicken Thighs!
When my family asks, “What’s for dinner?” and I answer baked chicken thighs, happy cheers can be heard all around!
Picture this: mouthwateringly juicy chicken, coated in the most amazing savory blend of seasonings, with crackly, crispy skin hot out of the oven. And the best part? These baked chicken thighs will only take you 10 minutes to prep, then your oven does the rest.
This is one of those recipes that you’ll find yourself making again and again. I just love how chicken thighs are always so juicy and tender, since the dark meat holds more flavor and moisture than chicken breasts. You can make this recipe with bone-in or boneless chicken thighs – it will turn out amazing either way.
Without a doubt this is the best chicken thigh recipe I’ve ever tried. The key ingredients, I believe, are the Italian seasoning and brown sugar. Tender, delicious, and SOOOOO easy. It tastes much more gourmet complicated than it really is.
Karen
Fast, budget-friendly and exceptionally delicious, these baked chicken thighs are a meal the whole family will love. I like to serve them with these easy Drop Biscuits and Roasted Vegetables.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chicken Thighs: If you want maximum crispiness, opt for bone-in skin on chicken thighs. If you want to slice up the chicken to add to salads or sandwiches, I recommend using boneless chicken thighs.
- Seasonings: This recipe uses a variation of my favorite Chicken Seasoning to season the chicken. For the seasoning rub you’ll need Italian seasoning, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. The brown sugar helps the seasonings to caramelize on the chicken as it bakes. If you want a sugar free recipe you can omit it.
- Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings to stick and the skin to get crispy.
How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs
Here’s a quick overview of the recipe steps. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions below.
Mix together the seasonings.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps to get the skin extra crispy, similar to making Baked Chicken Wings.
Rub all sides of the chicken first with olive oil and then with the spice rub. If using skin-on chicken, try to get some of the seasonings on the meat under the skin for maximum flavor. Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up in the baking dish.
Bake, uncovered, at 400° F, until chicken is cooked through.
To get skin-on thighs extra crispy, you can broil the chicken during the last few minutes of baking. Be sure to use a broiler-safe baking dish.
The Secret to Amazing Juicy, Tender Chicken Thighs
Did you know that chicken thighs are at their most tender, juicy and flavorful cooked to 175-190° F? It’s true! While the USDA states that chicken is safe to eat cooked to 165° F, chicken thighs actually get even better if you cook them to a higher temperature. Use a meat thermometer to test the internal temperature of the chicken to determine when it’s time to pull it out of the oven. Unlike baked chicken breast, you don’t have to stress about overcooking your chicken with this recipe!
How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs
At 400° F, bone-in chicken thighs will take 30-40 minutes to cook in the oven. Boneless, skinless thighs will take about 10 minutes less. The exact cook time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs. The best way to check when chicken is done is to use an instant read or meat thermometer to check the internal temperature.
Serving Ideas
These chicken thighs go with just about any side dish! Here are a few ideas:
- A starch, such as rice (see How to Cook Rice) or Mashed Potatoes.
- Vegetables. Try Roasted Broccoli or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.
- A fresh, crisp salad, such as Broccoli Slaw or a Greek Salad.
If you have leftover chicken, you can add it to a salad or wrap, or use it to make Chicken Salad for sandwiches.
Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
For the Seasoning:
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning, or dried oregano
- 2 teaspoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt, or ½ teaspoon table salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients:
- 3 pounds skin-on bone-in chicken thighs, 8 bone-in thighs, see note below about boneless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400° F. Set out a 13×9-inch or similar baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the seasonings until well combined.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in the baking dish.
- Rub both sides of the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken, rubbing it on both sides of the chicken thighs. Try to rub some of the rub underneath the skin as well as on top of the skin for the most flavorful chicken. Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up on the pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven (uncovered), without moving or turning, until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken (not touching the bone) reaches at least 165° F. This will take about 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken thighs.
- If desired, you can broil the chicken for a few minutes to get the skin extra crispy. Be sure to use a broiler-safe baking dish/pan and do not put parchment paper under the broiler.
Notes
- If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, they will take about 10 minutes less to cook through.
Recipe originally published in 2018, post updated in April 2022 and May 2024 to include more helpful information.
I made this dish tonight. My husband and I loved it. I used the recipe aside was. No modification.
Yummy yummy yummy😋😋😋
This. Is. So. Good! Made it as written, didn’t change a thing, delicious. Thank you!
Just made these!!! Gave them a quick marinade with Kraft Italian dressing and
Kikoman teriyaki sauce. Let them drain and top them with fresh ground pepper and sea salt, Sicilian seasonings, and dark brown sugar. Skinside up. Cooked with a baked potato on a baking pan. The skin was so crispy, and the flavors were so darn good. Two thighs and one baked potato probably under $2.00, including 2 Hawaiian rolls. Easy prep easy cook!