Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Tender and juicy on the inside, crispy and flavorful on the outside, these Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs are so perfectly seasoned and simple to make!

Baking chicken thighs in the oven is incredibly easy and requires very little prep, making this chicken thigh recipe perfect for busy nights. Be sure to try my Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe next!

Why This Recipe Works

All I had to do was make these crispy baked chicken thighs once and my whole family was begging me to make them again and again. That’s how good they are!

We love baked chicken breasts and baked boneless skinless chicken thighs for fast and easy dinners but bone-in chicken thighs are an often neglected yet totally delicious option.

They take about 35 minutes in the oven and less than ten minutes of prep. That gives you just enough time to whip up a couple of side dishes, like my Garlic & Herb Baby Potatoes and a salad or other kind of veggie on the side.

Plus, these Chicken Thighs are:

• Juicy and Flavorful. Bone-in chicken thighs have built-in protection for oven cooking. The skin keeps them juicy and tender, while the bone helps retain moisture and adds extra flavor.
• Crispy on the Outside. The crispy skin adds texture and flavor and also helps to keep the meat extra moist.
• Budget-Friendly. Chicken thighs are more economical than other cuts of chicken, making this a budget-friendly meal option.
• Super Flavorful. My trick for seasoning both the skin AND the meat makes these oven baked chicken thighs extra tasty.

Recipe Walkthrough

Ingredients

• Bone-in, Skin-on Chicken Thighs – Best flavor you can get from chicken is with this cut of meat. Dark meat has a higher fat content so it is naturally juicier.
• Chicken Seasoning – Salt, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder and black pepper. I always make a big batch of this seasoning because I use it for everything from chicken to pork to
• Olive Oil – Rubbing oil on the meat helps to crisp up the skin and lock in the moisture.

How To Bake Chicken Thighs

See the recipe card below for full, detailed instructions

Rub the thighs all over with a little bit of olive oil. This helps with moisture retention and is my little trick to attaining a crispy skin.

Season each chicken thigh well. I use my go-to chicken seasoning of salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken. Slide your fingers under the skin and rub a little of the olive oil and seasoning under the skin. This will flavor not only the skin but the meat underneath.

Let it rest. When you remove the chicken thighs from the oven, let them rest at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This lets the juices redistribute and also lets them cool slightly.

What Temperature Do You Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven?

You should bake bone-in chicken thighs at a high temperature, around 400℉. This is hot enough to roast the chicken and give you a crispy skin without burning the skin as it cooks.

Chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 165℉ using an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the meat near the bone. Be careful not to touch the bone with the thermometer or you won’t get an accurate read.

More Chicken Recipes

• Mexican Chicken Casserole
• Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs
• Cheesy Chicken Tenders
• Smothered Chicken and Mushrooms
• Baked Ranch Parmesan Crusted Chicken
• Crispy Chicken Cutlets

Watch how to make crispy baked chicken thighs:

Recipe

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

4.92 from 12 votes

Kristin Maxwell

Tender and juicy inside, crispy and flavorful on the outside, these Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs are perfectly seasoned and simple to make!

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 35 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

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Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 8 Chicken Thighs skin-on, bone-in
• 2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Onion powder
• 1 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1-2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 2 teaspoons Fresh minced parsley for garnish

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Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet pan with foil. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, mix together the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and onion powder with a fork. Set aside.
• Pat chicken dry with paper towels, then arrange, skin side up on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and rub into both sides. Season the back side with about a third of the spice mixture, then flip so the chicken thighs are skin side up and season with remaining spice mixture. Rub into the skin and slide your fingers under the skin to rub the spice mixture into the meat as well. 
• Slide the pan into the oven and roast until completely cooked through; 30-35 minutes. Internal temperature should reach 165 degrees.
• Let rest for 5 minutes; garnish with fresh parsley and serve immediately.

Notes

To make this recipe with boneless, skinless chicken thighs, you’ll only need about half of the spice rub and 10 minutes less cooking time.

Keyword baked chicken, baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs

Nutrition

Calories: 357kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 25gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 148mgSodium: 892mgPotassium: 333mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 446IUCalcium: 12mgIron: 1mg

Nutritional Disclaimer Kristin Maxwell of “Yellow Bliss Road” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. For accurate calorie counts and other nutritional values, we recommend running the ingredients through your preferred online nutritional calculator. Calories and other nutritional values can vary depending on which brands were used.

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