Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs – The most amazing oven baked chicken thighs! These chicken thighs come out crispy on the outside and amazingly tender and juicy on the inside. Baked chicken thighs are so easy to make with only a few ingredients and one pan!
Ok, folks! One of the questions I get asked most often is how to cook chicken thighs. Try these with a side of our Classic Baked Mac and Cheese, so good! They’re so easy to make, and this has become one of my most popular recipes! If you’re looking for other fun chicken thigh recipes, try these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs and these Greek Chicken Thighs! We’re also loving these Grilled Chicken Thighs during the summer months and of course Crispy Baked Chicken Wings all year long!
Questions that I hear about them the most are:
- How long do I cook chicken thighs in the oven and at what temperature?
- How do I cook chicken thighs in a pan but make sure they turn out crispy on the outside?
- Should I use boneless skinless chicken thighs are bone in with skin?
I think people love the thigh meat because it’s super flavorful, but they just aren’t as familiar with cooking them as they are the breast meat. Luckily, it’s an incredibly easy process that takes only a few minutes of prep and then the thighs bake up to crispy tender perfection on a sheet pan.
And, I am here to answer those questions for you today with my favorite baked chicken thigh recipe ever, plus a quick video that shows just how I make them!
Let’s go directly into tips for success when making baked chicken thighs:
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Pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning. The natural moisture from the chicken can prevent getting a really good sear. These thighs basically sear right in the oven, so this is an important but quick step to take.
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How long and at what temperature should you bake the thighs? You’ll want to bake these at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes without moving or turning them during the process. This temperature and time ensure that crispy outside and juicy inside we’re looking for. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before being consumed.
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Use a rimmed baking sheet. The chicken will produce some of its tasty natural juices, and you don’t want those running off the pan into your oven!
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I use bone in and skin on chicken thighs for this recipe. I find that it produces the best results. However, if you have boneless skinless on hand or that is just your preference, they work just fine with this recipe as well! They may take about 10 minutes less to cook, so just keep an eye on them.
I hope you guys enjoy this simple chicken recipe as much as my family does! As always, leave me a comment if you have additional questions, I’m happy to answer them!
Be sure to check out our video for this recipe below and follow along on Facebook to see all of the yummy food videos we share!
~Nichole
Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 3 Pounds Chicken thighs, About 6-8
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- 2 Teaspoons Salt
- 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
- 2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
- 2 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning
- 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 Teaspoon Paprika
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and set aside.
- Remove the chicken thighs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels. Arrange the chicken thighs on prepared baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil rubbing the oil into the chicken to coat.
- In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika. Sprinkle the spices over the chicken evenly.
- Bake chicken in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes.*
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If you’re looking for other tasty chicken recipes for dinner try these:
If you’re looking for baking recipes, these are some of my readers favorites:
Can you use a cast iron skillet for baking the chicken instead of a baking sheet or pan?
Simple, easy, very good!
Have made this MANY times with rave reviews from family and guests. Sometimes I switch up the seasonings but the patting dry, rubbing with olive oil and cook time are all what makes it so good’
I commented some time ago, but I need to comment again. I make this on average once a week. I made this for a last minute Christmas dinner when our plans changed and we wound up hosting a dozen people. I have never had a single complaint. The only thing I change is that I substitute oregano and basil for the Italian seasoning. (I don’t care for rosemary). I also mix the oil with the seasonings and rub it on the chicken like a paste.
This recipe is so close to the traditional Italian style chicken that we made for Sunday dinner every week. I never used Rosemary either. I always used Garlic, Pepper, Basil, Parsley, Oregano and Paprika. I am trying this recipe above in the baking sheet with tin foil. Never did it that way. Always used a baking pan or pyrex baking glass dish to bake. The only difference is we would add potatoes to make roasted potatoes in with the chicken, and Peas. If not Peas, green beans.
I have already used the recipe two times and it has turned out well both times. I cooked my chicken for about 30-40 minutes and then turned the oven down to about 300 and cooked it another 20 minutes or so…the last 20 minutes I covered it with foil and it was very tasty and tender. Love cooking thighs this way. Thanks for the recipe. ?
Wow! I rarely buy thighs, but with this recipe, they will become a staple. Can’t believe how incredibly easy they were to make and the results were off the charts delush!!
Made this tonight for dinner and it was ???. I used boneless skinless thighs and seasoned them with garlic powder, pepper and seasoned salt after I rubbed them down in extra virgin olive oil. Will definitely be making this often! And even though they were skinless, they still had a nice a crispness on top.?
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe. I cooked it tonight for my papa and he really isn’t a big fan of chicken but that’s what I had to cook, so I thought maybe if I make it different he would love it and guess what, he’s eating it and loving it! I’m so happy I really do love it also and will only cook my chicken like this from now on. You’re awesome Salty Marshmallow! ????????❤??
Cooked this tonight for 10 picky eaters at the group home where I work. It was quick, and easy and they ALL LOVED IT! I will be making this again! I cooked it just as directed, but used chicken legs (drumsticks). Thank you for the great recipe. I will be making this at home as well. Tastes a lot like good rotisserie chicken.
Since I found this recipe, it’s the only way I make chicken thighs! We love it! Thank you!!
2nd time I made this in a week. It’s a quick, easy, delicious dinner! The chicken stays juicy and I love how crispy the skin gets! So good!
Made this last night. Easy and very impressive! Tastes as close to yummy rotisserie chicken from the store as I’ve ever found! Will be my go to baked chicken recipe from now on. Super good!! Thank you!
I’ve made this a few times now. It’s always a hit in our house. I’ve really been enjoying your recipes!