Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Name: Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 5 Bone-in Chicken Thighs; 1 teaspoon Olive Oil; 1/8 teaspoon Sea Salt; 1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper; 1/8 teaspoon Garlic Powder; 1/8 teaspoon Paprika

5 from 71 votes

Total 45

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Juicy and crispy baked chicken thighs are a family favorite dinner. Busy cooks love how this easy chicken thigh recipe only takes 5 minutes of active prep and the rest is hands-off.

Try my baked chicken shawarma next!

baked chicken thighs in juice with silver serving spoon in white baking dish

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Chicken thighs are arguably the juiciest, most flavorful part of a chicken. Unlike chicken breast, thigh meat is dark and has more fatty tissue, which makes it naturally moist and delicious with almost no effort.

That's what makes this baked chicken thighs recipe your secret weapon. On a busy night, this fuss-free entree demands very little attention and delivers mouthwatering results – and gets devoured. Since dark meat is nearly foolproof, I always recommend it for beginner cooks, just like this baked chicken legs recipe. You can hardly go wrong.

You probably already gathered that when you roast chicken thighs, you're hands-free to make sides. So I recommend a veggie quinoa salad or kale salad. If you want more starch, smashed potatoes or mashed potatoes are always a win. My sauteed mushrooms and onions recipe can be perfectly timed for another perfect side dish.

Table of Contents hide

1) Ingredient notes

2) How to bake chicken thighs

3) Seasoning chicken thighs

4) How long to bake chicken thighs

5) Frequently asked questions

6) How to make chicken thighs crispy

7) Tips to make the best baked chicken thighs

8) What to serve with roasted chicken thighs

9) Can I freeze baked chicken thighs?

10) More chicken recipes

11) 📖 Recipe

12) Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Ingredient notes

This recipe uses a few pantry staples that you likely have on hand but you can easily make substitutions. See recipe card below for quantities.

chicken thighs - I'm using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs. Feel free to cut off excess skin to make the pieces more uniform.
olive oil - Use any cooking oil and very little, at that.
garlic powder, paprika, salt & pepper - This super simple spice combination has tons of flavor and can be customized. It goes with everything!

seasoned uncooked chicken thighs in white baking dish next to containers of salt, pepper, paprika, oil, and garlic on green background

How to bake chicken thighs

There's no marinating or messy prep with this chicken entree – just a few simple steps and hands-free baking. Get the full recipe below with printable ingredient amounts and instructions.

Step 1: (Optional) Rest chicken thighs about 20 minutes at room temperature. This isn't required but it removes the chill which makes the thighs bake more efficiently and uniformly.

Step 2: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Pat chicken dry with a paper towel to remove all excess moisture.

Step 3: Place thighs in baking dish and lightly brush the top surface with oil and sprinkle on the seasonings.

chicken thighs in white baking dish are brushed with oil

seasoned uncooked chicken thighs in white baking dish on blue-green background

Step 4: Bake chicken thighs uncovered for 30-45 minutes until they reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. You are welcome to cook them to a higher internal temperature.

baked chicken thighs in white baking dish with food thermometer inserted in one piece registering 166 degrees Fahrenheit

Step 5: Loosely cover chicken thighs and rest 5 minutes. Serve warm. I always recommend a little chopped parsley for a pop of green.

Seasoning chicken thighs

Roasted chicken thighs are so versatile when it comes to seasoning. In this recipe, paprika gives them red-orange color and mild, sweet flavor. Garlic powder is the savory glitter that adds even more texture to the crispy skin. You can easily swap these out for Italian seasoning, Cajun seasoning, or fajita seasoning – they're delicious with any cuisine!

How long to bake chicken thighs

Baking time varies based on 1) weight 2) oven temperature 3) chicken temperature before it goes in the oven 4) how crowded the pan is.

An average bone-in, skin-on chicken chicken thigh weighs 3 to 6 ounces. A boneless, skinless chicken thigh weighs about 3 ounces.

Here's a reference point for how long to bake average sized bone-in chicken thighs (reduce time by half for boneless).

425°F (218°C) for 25-40 minutes
400°F (204°C) for 30-45 minutes
375°F (190°C) for 40-50 minutes
350°F (176°C) for 45-55 minutes

I usually bake thighs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It's the perfect temperature to roast vegetables in the same oven and the timing allows me to make side dishes while the chicken bakes.

Frequently asked questions

Should I wash chicken thighs before cooking?

No, it isn't necessary because bacteria is eliminated when chicken is cooked properly. Rinsing chicken only creates more tasks and more opportunities for cross-contamination.

Can I cook chicken thighs from frozen?

Yes. According to the USDA, frozen chicken can be cooked in the oven with about 50% added cook time. Use a food thermometer to ensure a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit before serving.

How do I know when chicken thighs are done?

Chicken thighs should cook until they reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. They'll continue to tenderize beyond that internal temperature up to about 190 degrees Fahrenheit.

baked chicken thighs stacked on white plate

How to make chicken thighs crispy

Method 1: Once thighs are baked, transfer them from the baking dish to a clean baking sheet. Place thighs at least 6 inches under a broiler for 2-5 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning.

Method 2: You can bake thighs on a cooling grid over a baking sheet for the entire duration. This promotes air circulation and prevents chicken thighs from sitting in fat, which helps the skin get crispier as it bakes.

Tips to make the best baked chicken thighs

You can substitute boneless thighs for bone-in thighs and they'll cook in about half the time.
Always use a food thermometer to confirm a safe minimum internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit for chicken.
Before serving, allow chicken thighs to rest 5 minutes before cutting because it prevents the juices from escaping.

baked chicken thighs in their juice with silver serving spoon in white baking dish on blue table

What to serve with roasted chicken thighs

Serve this delectable entree with roasted mushrooms, sauteed asparagus, or baked potato salad for a family dinner everyone loves!

Can I freeze baked chicken thighs?

Yes! Allow thighs to cool completely and refrigerate in an airtight container up to 5 days or freeze up to 90 days (longer if vacuum sealed). To thaw, transfer to the refrigerator for an overnight stay.

More chicken recipes

Turn leftover chicken thigh meat into scrumptious Chicken Shepherd's Pie.

📖 Recipe