Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe (2024)

Crave-worthy in 35 minutes! These oven-baked chicken thighs are the ultimate weeknight hero – crispy skin and juicy meat, all with minimal fuss.

This recipe costs about $10.26 to make four servings. That is just $2.57 per serving!

Table of Contents

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

There are a lot of Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipes out there on the internet. I’ve added my recipe because it is an easy, fuss-free main dish bursting with flavor. And don’t even get me started on the crispy skin!

Chicken thighs are dark meat naturally more flavorful than other pieces, such as the breast. When you add my simple spice blend before baking, these are off-the-charts delicious.

The skin is perfectly crisp, while the meat is juicy and tender. This recipe is versatile because it is a basic chicken recipe that goes well with almost any side dish. You can even increase the spice for this recipe by adding a pinch of chili powder and cayenne.

These Oven Baked Chicken Thighs are my top recommendation for a hands-free, simple chicken recipe to add to your menu rotation. If you’re looking for a broiler recipe, check out my Broiled Chicken Thighs.

What You’ll Love About This Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe:

Crispy skin, juicy inside:Forget dry chicken – crispy perfection meets tender, flavorful meat in every bite.
Easy as 1-2-3:Toss, bake, devour. Minimal effort, maximum comfort food satisfaction.
Budget-friendly feast:Feed the crew without breaking the bank. Chicken thighs are your wallet’s secret weapon.
Always a hit:I’ve served these for weeknights and dinner parties. No matter the setting, folks rave about them!

Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients & Cost:

Per Serving Cost: $2.57

Recipe Cost: $10.26

This recipe celebrates the magic of transforming everyday staples like chicken thighs and seasonings into pure comfort food bliss.

8 chicken thighs ($9.80):Flavorful and forgiving, chicken thighs are the budget-friendly hero of weeknight meals, always juicy and delicious.
2 Tablespoons olive oil ($0.28):Ensures even seasoning and promotes crispy skin. Plus, it imparts a delicious, mild flavor.
1 teaspoon salt ($0.01):Salt plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor and texture of chicken thighs. Salt pulls moisture from the surface of the chicken towards the inside, concentrating the natural flavors. Additionally, salt breaks down proteins in the meat, making them more tender and juicy.
½ teaspoon pepper ($0.03):Pepper acts as a flavor “booster,” enhancing the other seasonings used in the recipe. It cuts through sweetness and fattiness, creating a more balanced and enjoyable taste profile.
½ teaspoon paprika ($0.01):It offers a subtle sweetness and a gentle heat. Plus, it promotes the Maillard reaction, the browning process that creates a flavorful, caramelized, crispy crust.
1 teaspoon garlic powder ($0.03):Garlic powder is slightly hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This helps keep the chicken thighs juicy and tender, even when baked.
1 teaspoon dried parsley ($0.10):It offers a slight citrusy brightness that cuts through fat and richness, keeping the flavor profile lively and refreshing.

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in January 2024.

How to Bake Chicken Thighs in Oven:

Check out the recipe card below for a recipe video.

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat.

Roasted Chicken Thighs Recipe Tools:

9×13-inch baking dish
Measuring spoons
Small prep bowl
Mixing spoon
Instant-read thermometer

Chicken Thighs In Oven Serving & Storage Tips:

SERVE: You can keep the roasted chicken thighs at room temperature for up to two hours before they will need to be refrigerated.

STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZE: Place the chicken in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag once the chicken is cool. Freeze for 4-5 months.

DEFROST: Defrost the chicken in the refrigerator overnight.

REHEAT: Warm the chicken in a 350-degree F oven for 10-20 minutes or until heated.

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs FAQs:

What temp should chicken thighs be cooked to?

The internal temperature should read 165 degrees.

Should I cover chicken with foil when baking?

Covering the baking dish before baking these chicken thighs is unnecessary. However, leaving it uncovered helps the skin get extra crispy during baking.

Can you overcook chicken thighs?

While you can overcook chicken thighs, it is more difficult than overcooking chicken breasts. This is another reason I love cooking chicken thighs. It results in juicy meat as long as you bake until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.

How long to bake chicken thighs?

It will take about 35-45 minutes to bake these chicken thighs.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?

I prefer baking chicken thighs at 400 degrees F. The thighs cook quicker and produce crispier skin, and the chicken is more flavorful due to faster browning.

Why are my baked chicken thighs rubbery?

Two main culprits: Overcooked, zapping moisture from the chicken. Or undercooked, not reaching high enough temp to melt collagen, the rubbery stuff. Aim for juicy inside, golden-brown outside, and 165°F internal temp for perfect thighs!

Do you put water in the pan when baking chicken?

You don’t need to add water to the pan when baking chicken. Doing so can lead to soggy skin and steamed, rather than roasted, flavor.

More Delicious Recipes:

Chocolate Chip Cake
Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
Loaded Potato Soup Crock Pot

Grape Salad with Cream Cheese
Grilling Chicken Breast
Hungarian Goulash Recipe

Smoked Chuck Roast
Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles
Teriyaki Steak

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Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs

Author A Food Folks and Fun Original

Recipe Cost $ $10.26

Serving Cost $ $2.57

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes minutes

Total Time 35 minutes minutes

4 people

This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is ready to eat in just 35 minutes. When chicken thighs are roasted in the oven, they are so juicy with deliciously crispy skin.

Equipment

9×13-inch baking dish
Measuring spoons
small bowl
mixing spoon
Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients

▢ 8 chicken thighs bone-in, and skin-on, about 3 pounds
▢ 2 Tablespoons olive oil
▢ 1 teaspoon salt
▢ ½ teaspoon pepper
▢ ½ teaspoon paprika
▢ 1 teaspoon garlic powder
▢ 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions

PREP OVEN AND BAKING DISH:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.

PREP CHICKEN:

Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat.
Brush olive oil over the chicken thighs.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and parsley.
Sprinkle the seasoning blend over both sides of the chicken thighs and place them in the prepared baking dish.

BAKE:

Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees.

Video

Notes

You can use boneless skinless thighs for this recipe if you prefer.
I like to spoon some of the chicken juices about 10 minutes before it is finished to help everything crisp up in the final moments.
You can increase the spice for this recipe by adding a pinch of chili powder and cayenne.

Nutrition

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