How To Make Baked Chicken Thighs:
Why use a wire rack? The wire baking rack allows hot air to circulate around the chicken thighs while theyre baking. This method helps create a crispy skin and the chicken doesnt get soggy sitting in its own fat and juices.
What Do I Serve With Crispy Chicken Thighs
Here are just a few of our favorite recipes to make with chicken thighs, yum! These chicken thighs go well with so many recipes and sides.
Dreamy Easy Mashed Sweet Potatoes Sweet, creamy and fast to make, these mashed sweet potatoes are not your average potato side dish.
Crispy Baked Potato Wedges These crispy potato wedges have the BEST seaoning!
Green Salad
Roasted Honey Garlic Carrots A favorite vegetable side dish thats easy and delicious.
Greek Potatoes Lemon garlicky roasted potatoes, delicious and pair with everything!
Rice
Loaded Baked Potato Salad Perfect cozy potato salad with ALL the fixings of a loaded baked potato.
Classic Italian Pasta Salad Make a big batch of pasta salad ahead of time and enjoy when the chicken is done!
Baked Parmesan Garlic Zucchini Fries These baked crispy zucchini fries are crunchy, savory and perfect for dipping!
Classic Crispy Baked Potatoes Baked potatoes just like the restaurants make, delicious!
Two Methods For Crispy Skin
Method 1: If you’re using a baking dish like mine , transfer the baked thighs to a clean baking sheet and place under a broiler a minutes to crisp the skin.
Method 2: You can bake thighs on a cooling grid over a baking sheet for the entire duration. This promotes air circulation and prevents chicken thighs from sitting in fat, which helps the skin get crispier as it bakes.
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Cooking Time And Oven Temperature
Cooking time will vary by your oven, the thickness, and the size of the chicken. Boneless will be about 5-10 minutes less.
Times are provided for planning only and assume a final internal temperature of 180°-185°. Use an instant-read thermometer or meat thermometer of some type.
| Conventional Oven Temperature | |
|---|---|
| 425° | 30 minutes |
How Long Is It Good For:
SERVE: You can keep the roasted chicken thighs at room temperature for up to two hours before they will need to be refrigerated.
STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
FREEZE: Once the chicken is cool, place it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag. Freeze for 4-5 months. Defrost the chicken in the refrigerator overnight and then warm the chicken in a 350 degree F oven for 10-20 minutes, or until heated through.
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Can I Cook Vegetables With The Chicken In The Same Dish
Single sheet pan recipes save SO much extra time and effort. So long as your dish is large enough, you can easily add cubed potatoes or any other vegetable. Just make sure to toss your veggies in oil first and check appropriate cooking times so you dont under or over cook them.
If you like this recipe, you may be interested in these other delicious chicken recipes:
Other Homemade Seasonings You Can Use
Aside from my homemade Creole, youll also get the same awesomeness using my other homemade seasonings below. And trust me, your family will be begging for more of this come dinner time.
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Why I Wrote This Recipe
Im always trying new recipes to see what my family loves. And a lot of time, that means making chicken breast. But after buying some chicken thighs in bulk, I started thinking up easy recipes and different ways to cook chicken thighs . We love low and slow sous vide chicken thighs and crock pot chicken thighs, but were looking for something a little different to make. So I brainstormed and landed on this baked chicken thighs recipe.
Anyways, when youre looking for something to make with chicken thighs with the skin on them, its a great idea to use high heat. You want tasty, super crispy skin! So thats where grilling or choosing to make oven roasted chicken thighs comes in.
One of my favorite ways to crisp up the skin of chicken is to use a sticky glaze on top and crank up the heat of the broiler. So once I decided on the main flavors I wanted in this recipe , I started dreaming about the glaze. Honey was a natural fit, so I went with it and added dijon mustard.
Now I love this recipe because you can make it for an easy weeknight chicken dish, but its so pretty, its a great holiday chicken dish as well. I serve it in my favorite light blue baking dish.
Have a pellet grill? See how to make smoked chicken thighs.
How To Make Oven Baked Chicken Thighs With Crispy Skin
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees If you have a convection setting or air fryer setting use it if possible. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed with a little cooking oil.
- Dry bone in chicken thighs with paper towels well to remove any extra moisture.
- Place all the baking powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix the ingredients together.
- Rub the spice mix evenly over each thigh.
- Lay the chicken thighs on the baking pan. Leave a few inches of space between each piece.
- The bake time for bone in chicken thighs is about 30 to 40 minutes. Use the convection or air fryer setting if you have it. If you dont have a convection or air fryer setting the chicken may take an extra few minutes to come to temperature. If your chicken thighs are boneless start checking them for doneness after about 25 minutes. Once the chicken thighs reaches an internal temperature of 165, the chicken thighs are fully cooked and the juices will no longer be pink. Use any juices on the pan to baste each piece generously.
- You can also place the chicken under the broiler for a minute or two to make the chicken extra crispy. This step is typically only necessary if you are not using a convection or air fryer setting on the oven.
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At What Temperature Do You Bake Chicken Thighs In The Oven
Set your oven temperature to 400 degrees F. 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 degrees using an instant-read thermometer inserted at the thickest part of the meat near the bone.
Baked Chicken Thigh Method: Sprinkle With Baking Powder
- Timing: 35 minutes
- Rating: 3/10
About this method: Baking powder, which is alkaline, raises the pH levels in chicken skin, breaking down protein and, in theory, creating crispier skin. For this test, the thighs were sprinkled with salt and pepper along with about 1/4 teaspoon baking powder per thigh. They were then baked at 425°F for 35 minutes.
Results: While I have a similar technique that works well for wings, this method wasnt as successful when used on chicken thighs. There were crisp edges on the skin, but the middle portion was pale and not as crunchy as Id liked. I wondered if the oven temperature was to blame, so I retested the recipe in a 450°F oven. The new method yielded in a less pale version, but the texture of the skin was the same.
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How To Make Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
Remember when I said this recipe was easy? I wasnt lying!
Preheat. To start off, preheat your oven to 425°F. Use the convection setting if you can.
Prepare. Prepare the chicken by patting it dry with a paper towel, and prepare your baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
Make the spice rub. Place all of the seasonings in a bowl and thoroughly mix them together until blended.
Rub the chicken. Rub the spice mix evenly all over each chicken thigh.
Bake. Bake the chicken for about 35-40 minutes. Once fully cooked, you can baste the chicken thighs with their juices from the pan.
Slow Cooker Chicken Enchilada Soup
slow cookerinstant pot
- 1 ½PoundsChicken Breasts,
- 1MediumYellow Onion,Diced
- 128 OunceCan red enchilada sauce
- 115 ounceCan corn,Drained
- 115 ounceCan black beans,Drained
- 115 ounceCan Ranch Style OR Pinto Beans,Drained
- 1-2teaspoonsHot Sauce,Optional
- 2CupsShredded Cheddar or Monterrey Jack or a Mixture
Optional for serving: Tortillas, Tortilla Chips, Sour Cream, Extra Cheese, Chopped Onion, Lime Wedges
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Why I Love This Recipe
- These skin on chicken thighs are the perfect quick and easy side dish to add to your weeknight dinner rotation. All you need to do is add the spice mixture and thighs to a container or reasealable plastic bag then shake n bake thats it!
- Nothing beats biting into crispy baked chicken thighs. The combination of the crispy chicken skin and the tender, juicy flesh is always so satisfying. This dish is a crowd-pleaser that is sure to have everyone lining up for seconds.
- These keto chicken thighs are packed with protein and can be paired with cauliflower rice or cucmber salad for a low carb option.
Can I Make These Crispy Chicken Thighs In The Air Fryer
Yes, you can make these chicken thighs in the air fryer. I love using my air fryer! Follow the instructions as listed in the recipe card at the bottom of the page. Start checking the chicken for it to be done after about 30 minutes.
Air Fryer Note *Some air fryer machines run a little hotter than others. The first time I cook a new recipe in my air fryer I like to start checking it early if I am unsure. For this chicken recipe, I would start checking the chicken with a meat thermometer at 20-25 minutes if you are unsure if your air fryer runs hot.
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Zesty Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
This is a simple, but incredibly flavorful baked chicken thigh recipe. Its quick and easy to make and perfect for busy weeknights. The secret to my oven baked chicken thighs is the zesty spice rub and a hot oven. Make them tonight and be a dinner HERO.
These baked chicken thighs are practically effortless and one of my favorite ways to get a tasty dinner on the table with a minimum of fuss.
The zesty spice rub has a little zippy kick and a hint of sweetness with full on, in-your-face flavors.
The skin of the oven baked thighs is so crispy, you can hear the crackle when you take your first bite and the meat is tender and juicy every time.
Tips To Make The Best Baked Chicken Thighs
- If using frozen thighs, thaw completely before baking chicken to prevent undercooking.
- You can substituteboneless thighs, but they only need half the cooking time.
- Always use a quick-read thermometer to confirm 165°F minimum internal temperature for all baked chicken, bone-in or boneless.
- Before serving, allow baked chicken to rest 5 minutes before cutting because it prevents the juices from escaping.
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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs With Baking Powder
Sometimes all you want is a crispy piece of delicious chicken and this recipe for Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs is the answer!
The secret to getting that deep-fried taste and crispiness is adjusting the oven temperature and using baking powder, NOT baking soda. Only baking powder will do.
Thats right. Baking powder!
I know it sounds strange but baking powder dries out and helps the crispy oven roasted chicken skin to brown beautifully.
Grab your favorite chicken seasoning, some baking powder and you are ready to go. Crispy baked chicken thighs with baking powder may just be your new favorite way to enjoy chicken thighs!
The rack is necessary to keep air circulating around the chicken thighs and to let excess fat drip below on to your rimmed baking sheet.
First the chicken thighs are slow roasted on a low temperature. Then you turn up the temperature much higher to finish crisping up your skin.
Baked Chicken Thigh Method: Brush With Egg Whites
- Timing: 30 to 35 minutes
- Rating: 4/10
About this method: I was immediately intrigued when I came across this technique from the blog Modern Proper, which recommends brushing the skin with beaten egg whites before baking the chicken for 30 minutes. The recipe calls for the oven to be preheated to 450°F but turned down to 425°F when you put the chicken in. The chicken was not quite done at the 30-minute mark, so I added another 5 minutes to the cook time.
Results: This was one of the most disappointing methods. The skin was pale and rubbery, although the meat was cooked through. I wondered if it was an anomaly, so I decided to test it again, this time by beating the egg whites until they were super frothy and baking the chicken at 450°F for 30 mins. The result was less pale but still chewy skin.
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Baked Chicken Thigh Method: Poked With A Skewer Then Broiled After Baking
- Rating: 8/10
- Timing: 22 minutes
About this method: Im a huge fan of Americas Test Kitchen and was excited to try their method for crispy baked chicken. The technique was more laborious than the others, so I had high expectations. First, you poke the skin side of the chicken thighs with a metal skewer about 10 times. Then you spray the skin with vegetable oil and bake skin-side down for 20 minutes in a 450°F oven. Lastly, you flip the chicken and broil it skin-side-up on the middle rack. Per the recipes instructions, I put the chicken under the broiler and set my timer for 5 minutes. The smoke alarm started ringing around 3 minutes later.
A Few Words On Chicken Thigh Baking Time And Internal Temperature
To get that amazing crispy exterior you need to bake chicken thighs for about 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven and the level of crispiness you desire. They are done when you get a golden brown, super crispy skin and the internal temperature of around 185F. Yes, its well above the recommended 165F but trust me, thats what you want with skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs. They taste so much better when cooked to a higher temperature. The meat inside will be very moist and succulent.
Chicken thighs are forgiving and can be cooked to well above 165F and still be very juicy. As a matter of fact, bone-in, skin on thighs taste under-cooked to me when cooked to just 165F. I like them at about 185F or even a little higher as at that temperature the dark chicken meat becomes fall-off-the-bone tender yet still very, very moist.
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How To Get The Most Tender Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Tips & Tricks
- Make sure to use the canola oil in my Homemade Shake and Bake. I know that a lot of people will leave it out to make the mixture less calories and that’s fine but realize that you will lost the crispy texture. It’s the oil that makes them so crispy. It’s all natural, whole ingredients so enjoy it!
- Use a cold pressed canola oil that way there are no chemicals in it. Quality canola oil is actually good for you!
- Bake the chicken thighs to at least 185 °F. Trust me. Try it once and you’ll realize that you’ve been under baking chicken thighs your entire life. I did and let me tell you that I wish I had known this earlier! You are going to love how oven baked chicken thighs turn out when they are cooked properly! Life changing! They are also so forgiving that if you overcook them to 200 or so it doesn’t even matter.
- You have to bake the chicken thighs at 400°F, just like the store bought shake and bake tells you to. That’s because you need to get that fat moving and dissolving and crisping up that chicken thigh skin! You don’t want low and slow for baking chicken thighs, you want fast and serious heat!
- Use bone-in chicken thighs. Not only are they cheaper the bone adds flavour to the end result. Don’t believe me? Bon Appetit said bone-in chicken thighs are better!
If you are looking for more great chicken recipes try the ones listed below, there are flavours for everyone!
The Secret To The Crispiest Oven
The approach to making these amazing oven-fried chicken thighs is based on the solution prompted by Serious Eats The Food Lab: In Search of the Best Oven-Fried Buffalo Wings article. A similar approach is used in the Cooks Country Oven-Fried Chicken Wings recipe. As I mentioned in my chicken wing post, these sources suggest using baking powder to get crispy skin along with a lo-o-o-o-ng, well over an hour, bake at two different temperatures. I am not patient enough for that, so I set out to find a quicker solution with similar or better results. And I found it.
My approach is much simpler and much faster. The thighs are done in just 30 minutes. A little longer if you want additional crispiness. The trick is to use baking powder in combination with convection baking and high heat. I am talking about 425F on convection. The 30-minute blast of high heat will make the skin so crispy that it will look and taste like deep-fried or pan-fried. The baking powder draws the moisture out and aids with crisping up skin.
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