Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs are easy to make and the most delicious oven-baked chicken thighs ever! They're coated in pantry-staple spices and baked until crispy on the outside and unbelievably juicy inside. With one simple tip, this baked chicken thighs recipe turns out perfect every single time.
We love to serve these thighs with a creamy cucumber salad and some greek lemon potatoes. If you love chicken recipes, also try our perfect baked chicken breasts!
These babies are JUICY! If you've ever wondered how to bake chicken thighs, you're in the right place. This is the recipe we reach for again and again and it never fails to make us happy.
Why these are our go-to baked chicken thighs
- The combination of simple, pantry-staple spices gives them tons of flavor.
- They are always juicy. We cook them with the skin on (but give instructions on how to prepare them if you'd prefer not to eat the skin) which ensures they never dry out.
- Based on the popular Perfect Baked Chicken Breasts recipe so you'll know they'll be a hit.
- After only 5 minutes of prep and they'll be ready to hang out in the oven and cook themselves.
- Sugar-free! Many chicken thigh recipes call for sugar, but we think it's unnecessary. This recipe is crazy delicious AND healthy.
- Whole30 + keto + gluten-free. All the good things.
- Leftovers are great sliced off the bone and served over salad for lunch. 1 recipe = 2 meals. Love meal prep!
How to make this baked chicken thighs recipe
This is one of those āstaple recipes' that you'll end up reaching for again and again. Only rather than reading the recipe each time, you'll simply head to your pantry and start pulling out the spices. It's a very simple recipe that is based on the popular Perfect Baked Chicken Breast recipe.
- Mix the spices together in a small bowl.
- Drizzle the chicken thighs with some olive oil.
- Sprinkle the spices over the chicken.
- Bake.
That's it! After only 5 minutes of prep, these babies cook themselves. Dinner doesn't get any easier than this.
How long to bake chicken thighs
Chicken thighs can vary widely in size which means that the time it takes to cook them also varies. An average bone-in chicken thigh weighs about 6 ounces and will yield 2 Ā½ ā 3 ounces of meat.
You'll want to cook your chicken thighs for 35-40 minutes at 420 degrees Fahrenheit.
If the thighs you're cooking are very small, check them after 30 minutes. If they're very big, they may need 45 minutes to fully cook. Chicken thighs are pretty forgiving, so if they stay in your oven for an extra few minutes, chances are they'll still be juicy.
What to serve with oven baked chicken thighs
We often eat these baked chicken thighs with a big green salad tossed in one of my favorite salad dressing recipes. They go especially well with the Creamy Balsamic Vinaigrette or Lifesaving Lemony Salad Dressing. It's a really quick and easy weeknight meal that takes almost no time to put together.
A big pile of roasted veggies (cooked in the oven at the same time as the chicken) is another great option.
If you're feeling extra hungry, make a side of Garlic Smashed Red Potatoes, Greek Lemon Potatoes, or some perfect basmati rice for a full meal.
Favorite chicken recipes
- Perfect Baked Chicken Breasts
- Honey Garlic Chicken Thighs
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Easy Chicken Bites
- Asian Chicken Sheet Pan Dinner
- Baked Sesame Orange Chicken
Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons paprika
- 1 tablespoon EACH: onion powder and garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon EACH: chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 lb bone-in chicken thighs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. For easier cleanup, line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Mix the paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.2 tablespoons paprika, 1 tablespoon EACH: onion powder and garlic powder, 1 teaspoon EACH: chili powder, oregano, salt, and pepper
- Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken thighs then sprinkle the thighs with the spices. If you're not planning on eating the skin, sprinkle the spices under the skin. (see notes)2 tablespoons olive oil, 3 lb bone-in chicken thighs
- Place the chicken thighs on the baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. (see notes)
Video
Notes
Nutrition
We have thoroughly tested this recipe for accuracy. However, individual results may vary. See our full recipe disclosure here.
These chicken thighs look good. I love chicken thighs.
Wonderful flavours! Will definitely make again.
It’s by no means subpar, but I felt it was missing something. Hear me out: serving it with peanut butter when you pull it out was the chef’s kiss on this dish.
Wondering if you think this would stay juicy in a warmer or chafing dish for up to an hour? Thinking of making for a group of 200.
Bone in chicken thighs are really forgiving. They should stay nice and juicy for a long time in a warming dish.
Recipe was OK. Too much paprika for me. Chicken was juicy and my dog loved the bones from my trash can! Ahhh
Yay, my family finally eats my chicken!!! Your the BEST!
I don’t like chicken thighs but when I made made these, I stand corrected. I love these! I have made them several times now (one in oven fir dinner) & am planning a company dinner making these. WOW. these are great!
Hi Kristen,
This was absolutely so good! ( made it tonite) I live alone and sometimes it hard to find an easy, delicious recipe for one. I halved the recipe.
The spices work perfectly together…the skin was crisp and the chicken soooo tender and juicy!
After following all directions….I did put some Japanese mayo under the skin, and took anothers suggestion on using the same spices for onion chunks, cooked in the same pan!! They got really charred, but still good….however next time, Ill wait about 8 minutes before adding the onion to the chicken.
I used my air fryer at 400f for 20 min. Used a small solid bottomed pan.
Thank you so much for a tasty, juicy recipe!!
Wow! Thank you so much for this recipe. It was quick easy and best of all, Delish!! Ā Iām sharing this one with my son.Ā
I did make this chicken thigh recipe and it was/is wonderfully delicious. I had 4 thighs which is great for additional meals since I live alone. And yes, the meat is so moist an tasty. Thank you1
Easiest and best chicken thigh recipe. I served it with Spanish rice. Next time I will add black beans to the rice .
Hello Kristen! I havenāt made these yet but they sound perfect. Can these be made with boneless thighs? If so any changes? Thank you
Hello Lorie,
If using boneless chicken thighs, the cooking time should be reduced to about 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
cooked this for lunch as it was amazing. super delicious. the only other ingredient I included into the dry rub was a little bit of brown sugar.
definitely will use this recipe again and again. I’m sure it would be excellent for pork tenderloin too or pork shoulder (pulled pork). very versatile. thank you.
I make mine the exact same way and they come out really good. Doing them tonight with fresh green beans and red potatoes, and corn bread.