Oven Baked Chicken Thighs (5 minute prep)
These oven baked chicken thighs come together with just 5 minutes of prep and bake up crispy, juicy, and full of flavor. An easy, budget-friendly dinner the whole family will love.
If you love easy chicken dinners, try these Oven Baked Chicken Kabobs or our creamy Garlic Chicken made right on the stovetop.
Why you’ll love recipe
- One the easiest chicken recipes to make for dinner
- Most economical budget-friendly chicken recipe to make
- Crispy oven baked chicken thighs are versatile for many variations
- Make ahead the day before ready to bake
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 6 to 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons oil- avocado or olive oil
Step By Step Instructions
STEP ONE – Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sugar together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
STEEP TWO – With a paper towel pat excess water from the chicken thighs.
STEP THREE – Gently pull back skin on thighs, not completely removing, to expose meat. Brush chicken with oil.
STEP FOUR- Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of prepared seasoning blend on exposed meat, turn thighs over and sprinkle underside with another ¼ teaspoon of seasoning. Turn thighs back over, pull skin back into place to cover thighs, brush skin with oil and top with another ¼ teaspoon of seasoning blend.
STEP FIVE – Place thighs in a 9x 13 baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet, bake for 35- 40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Top tips for making the best oven baked chicken thighs
- For easier cleanup you can line your baking pan with foil
- Allow the chicken to sit in the fridge for 30 minutes after coating with seasoning to really let the flavors meld and season the chicken thighs
- To make ahead prepare the chicken thighs the day before and leave in the fridge overnight before baking to really meld the flavors!!
- To make extra-crispy chicken thighs, bake the chicken thighs on an oven-safe rack in a rimmed baking sheet to allow hot air to move under the thighs
- For food safety use a food thermometer to ensure the internal temperature of the chicken thighs is 165°F.
Storage and freezing instructions
You can store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 6 days in the fridge.
Reheating: Place leftover chicken thighs in a baking dish and bake at 300°F in the oven covered with tin foil for 25 minutes or until warmed through. Remove the foil for the last couple minutes of cooking time to crisp up the skin for crispy chicken.
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs have a 5 minute prep time and are baked to a crispy and juicy perfection!
Ingredients
- 6 to 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons oil- avocado or olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and sugar together in a small bowl until thoroughly combined.
- With a paper towel pat excess water from the chicken thighs.
- Gently pull back skin on thighs, not completely removing, to exposes meat. Brush chicken with oil.
- Sprinkle about ¼ teaspoon of prepared seasoning blend on exposed meat, turn thighs over and sprinkle underside with another ¼ teaspoon of seasoning. Turn thighs back over, pull skin back into place to cover thighs, brush skin with oil and top with another ¼ teaspoon of seasoning blend.
- Place thighs in a 9x 13 baking dish or on a rimmed baking sheet, bake for 35- 40 minutes or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
Notes
Storage: You can store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container for up to 6 days in the fridge.
Do not allow the chicken thighs to sit out at room temperature for more than 2 hours for food safety.
Freezing: Remove the bones from the chicken and shred the chicken to store in a zippered freezer bag or freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge before using.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Oven Baked
- Cuisine: American
