Recipe

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Follow this easy chicken thighs in oven recipe for juicy meat and perfectly crispy skin every time.

With just a simple seasoning of garlic, olive oil, and herbs, these oven-baked chicken thighs are one of the easiest dinners you can make.

Juicy Baked Bone-In Chicken Thighs

Juicy, baked bone-in chicken thighs are one of my favorite weeknight dinners because they're nearly impossible to mess up. Unlike baked chicken breasts, thighs never dry out, even at higher oven temperatures, which is the secret to getting crispy skin and flavorful meat. You’ll love the simplicity of this recipe and ingredients, one you’ll make again and again.

Ingredients

Bone-in chicken thighs with skin are seasoned with a simple mix of olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic (fresh or garlic powder), and Italian seasoning.

Seasoning Baked Chicken Thighs

Pat the chicken thighs dry so the seasoning sticks better. Rub the seasoning over the tops and, for extra flavor, under the skin. The olive oil helps the skin crisp up while the herbs and spices add plenty of flavor. Garlic can sometimes burn, so powder works very well at high temps.

raw chicken thighs with seasoning on them

How to Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven

Preheat the oven and prepare the chicken.
Pat the chicken thighs dry first so the skin crisps better while baking. You'll see this step in the video as well, and it makes a big difference in the final texture.
Mix the seasoning and season the chicken.
I like to mix it in a bowl rather than seasoning the chicken piece by piece to ensure it’s evenly distributed. Then, spread it over and under the skin once the thighs are in the baking dish.
Bake them to perfection.
Until the internal temperature reaches about 175°F. If not crispy enough, run them under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes.
Spoon the pan juices over the chicken and serve.
The simple pan sauce makes the chicken even more flavorful on the plate.

baked chicken thighs in a dish with a spoon

Favorite Sides

Take advantage of the hot oven and roast fingerling potatoes (or baby potatoes), fall vegetables, or frozen broccoli on the shelf below.

~ More tips, tricks & cooking charts under the recipe card ~

Easy Oven Baked Thighs

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 36

Total Time: 55

Follow this easy chicken thighs in oven recipe for juicy meat and perfectly crispy skin every time.

5 from 42 votes

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Watch how it’s made:

Ingredients

6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder, 4 cloves grated or minced
1 ½ teaspoons Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon paprika, optional
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

Prep

Preheat the oven to 425F and position the rack in the middle.
Remove excess fat from the chicken thighs and pat them dry with a paper towel. Place them in a 9×13 baking dish.*
In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic powder (or cloves), Italian seasoning, paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
Season the chicken thighs with the mix, over the skin and under the skin for extra flavor.

Bake

Bake them in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 175F. For extra-crispy skin, turn the oven to BROIL and let them crisp for 1-2 minutes.
Remove the chicken thighs from the oven, drizzle some of the drippings at the bottom, and serve.

Notes

Baking chicken thighs on a sheet pan allows for better air circulation, which helps the skin crisp. A 9×13 dish keeps the chicken closer together, and the juices collect at the bottom, making the chicken a bit juicier but slightly less crispy.

Equipment

chicken ebook displayed on an ipad and phone screen

Chicken. It’s What’s for Dinner

Free Meal Planner Printable

Meat Thermometer

Nutrition

Is It Better to Bake Chicken Thighs at 350 or 400

It depends on how quickly you want your bone-in chicken thighs to cook and how crispy you want your skin. At 350F, they’ll need 45 to 50 minutes, and at 400F, they’ll ned need 35 to 45, and the skins will be crispier when cooked uncovered. More on the best temperatures for baking chicken thighs here.

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs

The time it takes to bake chicken thighs depends on the oven temperature and the cut of thighs. Here are two charts, one for bone-in skin-on and another for boneless, skinless thighs.

bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baking chart

Oven Temp	Average Time	Internal Temp
350F (175C)	50-55 min	175F (80C)
375F (190C)	45-50 min	175F (80C)
400F (200C)	40-45 min	175F (80C)
425F (218C)	35-45 min	175F (80C)

boneless, skinless chicken thighs baking chart

Oven Temp	Average Time	Internal Temp
350F (175C)	40 min	175F (80C)
375F (190C)	30-35 min	175F (80C)
400F (200C)	20-25 min	175F (80C)
425F (218C)	not recommended	175F (80C)

Read everything you need to know about baking boneless, skinless chicken thighs here.

Ovens and thigh sizes can vary, so cooking times can differ. For best results, cook chicken by internal temperature, not time. Dark meat is done at 175F, so using a meat thermometer is the most reliable way to know when it's ready.

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