Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs
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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.
Tried this recipe because I had all the ingredients already. I did boneless thighs, cut up potatoes and green beans with the spices on all! My husband and I loved this recipe!! I was thinking it might be too spicy, but it was good for us!
I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Gail!
Amazing crispy skin, juicy chicken, good flavor. Absolutely will make again!
So happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe, Allegra!
I made this recipe with a few adjustments! I brined the chicken in salt, lemon, cold water and vinegar for about 3 hours; then poured out the water and added all the seasonings mentioned above plus my Haitian spice and some brown sugar! I let that marinate for 2 hours and then baked! It was soooo good! I also added honey bbq sauce to it 10 min before it was done! Mmmmm…mmmmmm…mmmmmm!!!! This has become my favorite recipe for baked chicken!
I like the sound of your spice mix!
Is this recipe spicy??
No, not at all. š
so…. I made this last night and the whole family loved it! Ā my VERY picky kids asked for seconds and my hubby wanted the leftovers for today’s lunch. Ā unfortunately, there were no leftovers! Ā and…i have been asked to make this again!
thank you for the recipe. Ā 2 thumbs up!
So happy to hear that your family loves this recipe!
I’ve interested in making this meal. I tend to find bone-in thighs a bit of a pain, is it possible to adjust this for boneless thighs?
You can but boneless thighs cook much faster. I would chicken them after 15 minutes. š
love how it says “chicken” them instead of check on them! So perfect.
haha oops!!
Very good. Had to scale it down to half.
Love the spice mixture which is also exellent on oven roasted veggies and potatoes. Doesn’t get any easier than that!
That’s so great to hear! We use the spice mix on everything, too!
It was very tasty! Chicken was super moist. I have a picky eater and she served herself seconds! This recipe is a win in our household!Ā
That’s wonderful to hear, DeAnna! So happy that the recipe turned out for you!
My husband and I eat a lot of chicken but this recipe, “juicy baked Chicken Thighs” will certainly become a winner. We love the chicken thighs and this recipe looks soooooo easy.
Thank you so much,
Lovely, long-legged Lois š
That’s so wonderful to hear!
Just wondering why one person committed that getting baked at 420Ā° seems odd, rather than 425Ā°.. Some people’s kids. Delicious recipe especially when baking at 420…
Sounds promising based on the comments Imma give this a try and see how things goes.. š I’m currently doing all the steps for my devour time like Connan the barbarian Ā (12 pieces of thighs all to myself) …. To be continued…..
I hope you love them as much as I do!
where are the juices produced from? the olive oil?
From the meat itself. š
Please confirm ? 425degrees ? 420 seems like a strange temperature .
I bake them at 420 degrees, but 425 would also work. š
I love how these chicken thighs are made with all the stuff I already have in the pantry. No special or fancy seasoning involved. Just some good old-fashioned comfort food.
Isn’t it the best when you have everything you need for a recipe? So happy to hear that you like them!
These were absolutely delicious!! Always love a good chicken recipe!!
That makes me so happy to hear! Hooray!
Im making this today for my Dad and step mom I hope it is as good and easy as it looks and sounds can’t wait to make it and eat it thank you
I hope you and your family loved the recipe!
Love how delicious and flavorful these are! Haven’t had baked chicken thighs like these.
That’s so fantastic! So happy to hear they were a hit!
I have chicken thighs in my fridge, waiting to be made! Thanks for sharing your helpful tips on baking chicken thighs!
I hope you love the recipe as much as we do!
We love out chicken thighs! The best ever chicken cut! Always juicy and delicious! We loved your choice on these and they are so easy, they will become my go to chicken recipe!
It’s our favorite cut, too! So happy to hear you liked the recipe!