Baked chicken thighs are juicy, flavorful, and super easy to make — perfect for a weeknight dinner or meal prep. Whether bone-in, skin-on or boneless skinless, they’re hard to mess up and easy to dress up.
Here’s a foolproof baked chicken thigh recipe with crispy skin and tender meat:
🍗 Easy Baked Chicken Thighs
🕒 Total Time: ~45 minutes
🍽️ Serves: 4
🛒 Ingredients:
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6 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on or boneless skinless)
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2 tbsp olive oil
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1½ tsp salt
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1 tsp paprika (smoked or regular)
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1 tsp garlic powder
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1 tsp onion powder
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½ tsp black pepper
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Optional: ½ tsp dried thyme, rosemary, or Italian seasoning
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Optional: Pinch of chili flakes for heat
🔪 Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
This temp helps crisp the skin while keeping the inside juicy.
2. Prep the chicken:
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Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels — especially the skin.
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Place in a bowl or on a baking sheet.
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Drizzle with olive oil and rub in all the seasonings evenly.
3. Bake:
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Place thighs skin-side up on a foil- or parchment-lined baking sheet or in a cast iron skillet.
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Bake for 35–45 minutes, or until:
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Skin is crispy and golden
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Internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C)
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4. (Optional) Broil for extra crispiness:
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Broil on high for 2–3 minutes if needed to crisp the skin.
5. Rest before serving:
Let rest 5 minutes before cutting to keep juices in.
🍽️ Serve with:
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Roasted veggies (carrots, Brussels, potatoes)
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Rice, couscous, or quinoa
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Salad and crusty bread
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Gravy or garlic butter on top for extra flavor
🔄 Variations:
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Honey garlic glaze: Mix 1 tbsp honey + 1 tbsp soy sauce + 1 clove garlic, brush on for the last 10 minutes of baking.
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Lemon herb: Add lemon zest, juice, and fresh herbs for a Mediterranean touch.
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BBQ style: Brush on BBQ sauce in the last 10–15 minutes of baking.
Want a boneless version, a marinated overnight version, or a sheet pan meal with veggies?
