Introduction

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs are a simple, flavorful meal perfect for any night of the week. With a crispy skin and juicy interior, this dish offers a comforting and delicious way to enjoy chicken thighs without frying.

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds chicken thighs (6-8 pieces, patted dry)
1 tablespoon butter (diced)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet or a large rimmed pan with foil, then place it in the oven as it heats so the pan gets hot.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix until a paste forms.
Step 3: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the seasoning mixture. Toss to coat evenly, working in batches if needed. Rub the seasoning into the skin of each thigh for maximum flavor.
Step 4: Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven and arrange the coated thighs on it. Dot the thighs with the diced butter.
Step 5: Bake the chicken for 20 minutes, then remove the pan and baste the thighs with the juices that have collected. Return to the oven and bake for another 10 minutes.
Step 6: Baste the chicken again and continue baking for an additional 5 to 15 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is crispy.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispy skin, pat the chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning and baking.
Try swapping Italian seasoning for smoked paprika and cayenne for a smoky, spicy twist.
Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after baking to keep juices locked in.

Storage

Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave to maintain moisture and flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use bone-in or boneless chicken thighs?

This recipe works best with bone-in thighs for juiciness and flavor, but boneless thighs can be used as well — adjust cooking time accordingly as they will cook faster.

How do I ensure the chicken skin gets crispy?

Dry the chicken skin thoroughly before seasoning, use a hot baking pan, and avoid overcrowding the pieces so air can circulate and crisp the skin.

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 79 reviews

This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, flavorful chicken with a perfectly crispy skin, enhanced by a savory blend of garlic, onion, paprika, and Italian seasonings. The method involves baking the seasoned chicken on a preheated pan to ensure a crisp exterior while baste-brushing with butter and pan juices to retain moisture and deepen the flavor.

Author: Lena
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 to 50 minutes
Total Time: 50 to 60 minutes
Yield: 6 to 8 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds chicken thighs (6–8 pieces, patted dry)

Additional

1 tablespoon butter (diced)

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a rimmed baking sheet or large rimmed pan with aluminum foil. Place the pan inside the oven as it heats so that it becomes very hot, ensuring a crispy skin when the chicken is placed on it.
Prepare the seasoning paste: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until a thick paste forms, which will evenly coat the chicken.
Season the chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the paste. Working in batches if necessary, toss the chicken thoroughly to coat each piece. Then remove each thigh individually, rubbing the seasoning paste into the skin to maximize flavor absorption.
Bake the chicken: Carefully remove the hot baking pan from the oven and place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down on it. Dot each piece with small amounts of the diced butter. Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
Baste and continue baking: After 20 minutes, carefully remove the chicken from the oven and baste the thighs with the accumulated pan juices. Return the chicken to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes.
Final basting and doneness check: Remove the chicken again to baste with the pan juices. Continue baking for another 5 to 15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) to ensure the chicken is fully cooked and juicy.