Description
Juicy and crispy Baked Chicken Thighs are a simple, flavorful weeknight meal that require minimal effort, yet deliver satisfying results.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 6 pieces chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on or boneless skinless (Use bone-in for extra moisture or boneless for quicker cooking.)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (Used for coating the chicken.)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (Essential seasoning.)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder (Adds savory flavor.)
- 1 teaspoon onion powder (Enhances overall taste.)
- 1 teaspoon paprika (Can be smoked or sweet for different flavor.)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (For a gentle kick.)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or Italian seasoning (Optional for extra flavor.)
Optional Garnishes
- to taste lemon wedges (For a fresh finish.)
- to taste chopped parsley (For garnish.)
- to taste drizzle of honey (For caramelization.)
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 425 F.
- Line a sheet pan with foil for easy cleanup and place a wire rack on top if you have one.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels to ensure better browning.
- Toss chicken thighs with olive oil and seasoning mix until well coated.
- Place the thighs skin side up on the prepared rack or pan with space between each piece.
Baking
- Bake until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 175 to 190 F for bone-in thighs or 170 to 180 F for boneless thighs, which takes about 35 to 45 minutes for bone-in, and 18 to 22 minutes for boneless.
- If needed, broil for 1-3 minutes at the end for extra crispiness.
- Rest the chicken for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For next-level crispy skin, refrigerate oiled and seasoned chicken uncovered for 6-24 hours before baking. This allows the skin to dry out, leading to better crisping.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: dinner, Main Course
- Cuisine: American