Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs are a delicious and easy meal to prepare. These chicken thighs have a crispy exterior and a juicy interior and are often made with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, basic spices, Italian seasoning, and healthy fat like olive oil or butter.
The chicken thighs, cooked in the oven, provide the best, most tasty, and juicy result that is perfect for both lunch and dinner. They can be paired with a variety of side dishes, such as baked or roasted vegetables, potatoes, or rice, to create a well-rounded and flavorful meal.
To help ensure a smooth and successful cooking process, we have provided step-by-step instructions and a detailed video guide. Simply follow these resources to prepare tasty oven-baked chicken thighs in no time. This meal is sure to become a family favorite due to its ease of preparation and delicious flavor.
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What are Baked Chicken Thighs?
Baked Chicken Thighs are a simple and flavorful dish that has a crispy exterior and a juicy interior. It is usually made with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and seasoned with basic spices and herbs. The thighs are typically baked at a high temperature and finished under the broiler for a crispy exterior. These delicious thighs can be served for both lunch and dinner with a variety of side dishes.
Incorporating Oven Baked Chicken Thighs into your dinner rotation or meal prep routine is a great idea! Not only are they delicious and easy to prepare, but they are also perfect for gatherings with friends and family. With so many variations to choose from, you can tailor the dish to your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand.
Serve the chicken with a variety of side dishes, such as baked or roasted vegetables, potatoes, or rice dishes, for a complete and satisfying meal. Oven Baked Chicken Thighs are a versatile and tasty option that is sure to become a family favorite.
Ingredients and Substitutions
To make these Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs, you'll need some basic seasonings that you might already have in your kitchen cabinet. If not, they're easy to find at your local grocery store. I've also included some substitution suggestions in case you don't have certain ingredients on hand. Here's what you'll need:
- Chicken thighs: Bone-in and skin-on thighs are best in terms of flavor, but you can also use boneless and skinless thighs if that's more convenient for you
- Seasonings: I used chili, cumin, coriander, black pepper, garlic, and ginger powder, but you can also use other seasonings like cajun, chili, teriyaki sauce, or your own favorite chicken seasoning blend
- Lemon: Lemon juice adds a zesty twist to your thighs, and you can also use some lemon zest for extra punch. If you don't have a lemon on hand, lime juice will also work
- Italian seasoning - For a unique and fresh taste, try using Italian seasoning. If that's not available, oregano, basil, or other dried herbs of your choice can be used as a substitute
- Fat: Olive oil or any other neutral-tasting cooking oil will work. You can also use butter for a rich and buttery flavor
For a detailed ingredients list, please check out the recipe card below.
How to Bake Chicken Thighs in Oven?
This recipe for crispy Baked Chicken Thighs in the oven is a must-try! It's packed with zesty lemon flavor and basic seasonings that are sure to delight your taste buds. Plus, it pairs perfectly with a variety of side dishes, making it a perfect dinner option. Give it a try, you won't be disappointed!
Below are the high-level instructions for this recipe, but for detailed step-by-step instructions with photos and a video, please see the recipe card below.
- Prep Seasoning - First, grab a bowl and mix the ginger, garlic, cumin, chili, coriander, black pepper, coriander powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later
- Season - Next, grab a large bowl and add the skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs. Pour in the lemon juice, olive oil, and the prepared seasoning mixture, then mix everything until the seasoning coats the chicken thighs evenly
- Place Chicken Thighs - Line a baking tray with parchment paper, then place the seasoned chicken thighs on it. The parchment paper will help prevent the chicken from sticking to the tray and also allows it to cook with the moisture released from the chicken
- Rest the Chicken - If you've got a few extra minutes, go ahead and let those seasoned chicken thighs rest for at least 15 minutes. It'll give the flavors some extra time to sink into the meat and make it even more delicious
- Bake - Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the chicken for 35-45 minutes, or until it is cooked through. You can check the doneness of the chicken using a kitchen thermometer - the internal temperature of the chicken should be between 170-175°F when it is fully cooked
- Broil for crispy exterior - If you want a crispier skin on your chicken, you can switch the oven to broil mode for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking
- Garnish - Finally, remove the chicken from the oven and garnish it with fresh cilantro/coriander leaves
- Serve - Serve the crispy oven-baked chicken thighs with roasted vegetables, rice, or your choice of salad
How long do I need to Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven?
To make perfect chicken thighs, preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 35-45 minutes. Use a thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 170-175°F(according to NCC). If you want crispier skin, switch the oven to broil mode for the final 3-5 minutes of cooking. This will help to crisp up the skin of the chicken.
Tips
- Prep Chicken Thighs - To ensure your recipe turns out perfectly, it's important to properly prepare your chicken thighs. Make sure to thaw your frozen chicken thighs in the refrigerator or microwave, or by using cold running water. Also pat the thighs dry with clean kitchen tissue paper, as this helps to absorb the seasonings
- Seasonings - When it comes to seasonings, feel free to get creative! While this recipe calls for basic seasonings, you can also try using cajun seasoning, chili seasoning, teriyaki sauce, or any of your other favorite seasonings or marinades
- Temperature - To achieve perfectly cooked chicken thighs, it's recommended to bake them at a high temperature of 400°F for 35-45 minutes
- Bone-in or Bone-less - You can use either bone-in or boneless thighs for this recipe, although bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful
So get creative with your seasonings and don't be afraid to try out new flavors! With these tips in mind, you'll be well on your way to creating delicious, perfectly cooked chicken thighs.
Storage Suggestions
Freshly Baked Chicken Thighs are always packed with flavor and taste best when served immediately. However, if you have leftovers, they can be stored in the fridge for up to three days in a closed container. When you're ready to enjoy them again, just microwave them until they're warm or place them in the oven at a high temperature until the skin crisps up again.
Serving Suggestions
This crispy Baked Chicken Thigh pairs perfectly with a variety of roasted vegetables, such as broccoli, green beans, potatoes, and asparagus. It's a healthy and satisfying meal that's sure to please. If you're in the mood for something more filling, you can also serve it alongside white rice, brown rice, or jasmine rice.
Related Recipes
Looking for more delicious chicken thigh recipes? You're in luck! Below are some tasty options to try out, and you can find even more ideas in our roasted & baked meat recipes and chicken recipes sections.
- Chicken and Rice (one pot)
- Baked Chicken and Rice
- Tandoori Chicken
- Fried Chicken
- Baked Chicken Parmesan
- Roasted Whole Chicken
- Oven Baked Drumsticks
- Oven Baked Chicken Breast
- Baked Chicken Wings
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
So why wait? Get cooking and enjoy these delicious chicken recipes for dinner or for a meal plan! With so many tasty options to choose from, it's easy to mix things up and keep your meals interesting.
Recipe Video
I hope you're ready to cook up some delicious Baked Chicken Thighs! To make things even easier, I've shared a detailed video below. Just follow along and you'll have a mouthwatering meal ready for your family in no time. You can also find this recipe in a story format.
📖 Recipe
Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 5 Chicken Thighs, bone-in and skin on
- ½ tsp Ginger Powder
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder
- 1 tsp Chili Powder
- 1 tbsp Coriander Powder
- ½ tsp Ground Black Pepper
- ½ tsp Italian Seasoning
- ½ tsp Cumin Powder
- Salt, as needed
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Lemon Juice, or lime juice
- Coriander Leaves, to garnish
Instructions
To bake Chicken Thighs in Oven
- To begin, combine the ginger, garlic, cumin, chili, coriander, black pepper, coriander powder, and salt in a bowl. Mix well and set aside for later use
- In a large bowl, add the skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs. Then, pour in the lemon juice, olive oil, and the prepared chicken seasoning mixture. Mix everything until the seasoning coats the chicken thighs evenly
- Allow the seasoned chicken thighs to rest for at least 15 minutes if time permits. This will allow the flavors to fully penetrate the meat
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the seasoned chicken thighs on it. The parchment paper will help to prevent the chicken from sticking to the tray and also allows it to cook with the moisture released from the chicken
- Preheat your oven to 400°F and bake the chicken for 35-45 minutes, or until it is cooked through. You can check the doneness of the chicken using a kitchen thermometer. The internal temperature of the chicken should be between 170-175°F when it is fully cooked. If you prefer a crispier skin on your chicken, you can switch the oven to broil mode for the last 3-5 minutes of cooking
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven and garnish it with fresh cilantro/coriander leaves
To Serve
- Serve the crispy oven-baked chicken thighs with roasted or baked vegetables, rice, or your choice of salad
Video
Notes
- Prep Chicken Thighs - To ensure your recipe turns out perfectly, it's important to properly prepare your chicken thighs. Make sure to thaw your frozen chicken thighs in the refrigerator or microwave, or by using cold running water. It's also helpful to pat the thighs dry with clean kitchen tissue paper, as this helps to absorb the seasonings
- Seasonings - When it comes to seasonings, feel free to get creative! While this recipe calls for basic seasonings, you can also try using cajun seasoning, chili seasoning, teriyaki sauce, or any of your other favorite seasonings or marinades
- Temperature - To achieve perfectly cooked chicken thighs, it's recommended to bake them at a high temperature of 400°F for 35-45 minutes
- Bone-in or Bone-less - You can use either bone-in or boneless thighs for this recipe, although bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs tend to be more flavorful
Nutrition
FAQ
Baked chicken thighs are a simple and flavorful dish that is easy to prepare. They have a crispy exterior and a juicy interior and are often made with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, basic seasonings, herbs, and healthy fat like olive oil or butter. These delicious thighs can be served for both lunch and dinner with a variety of side dishes.
For perfect chicken thighs, preheat the oven to 400°F and bake for 35-45 minutes. Use a thermometer to check for a safe internal temperature of 170-175°F (according to the National Chicken Council). If you want crispier skin, switch the oven to broil mode for the final 3-5 minutes of cooking. This will help to crisp up the skin of the chicken.
It is not necessary to cover the chicken thighs while baking. In order to achieve a crispy exterior, it is best to bake the chicken without any coverings.
I hope you found the recipe enjoyable and I would appreciate hearing about your experience with it.
If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to leave a comment and I will do my best to respond promptly. Thank you for reading and happy cooking!
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