Feb 25, 2022
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Want to know the easiest way to bake flavorful chicken thighs with crispy skin and meat that is so juicy that it falls apart? Yes? Good. The answer awaits in this garlic chicken thighs recipe!
With this recipe and the tips in the post, you’ll cook incredible chicken night after night, and this recipe is one for the books! It yields tender chicken meat encased in crispy, golden skin with garlic and dried herbs.
The flavor? Divine. Cooking level? Easy.
The Best Chicken Thighs Recipe
These garlic chicken thighs are the best because they’re healthy, delicious and made with the simplest ingredients for an easy weeknight meal. It’s one of those healthy comfort food recipes you’d serve with a hearty side salad or roasted root vegetables.
I like to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. The skin helps the meat stay tender and takes on the flavor of the garlic and herb sauce so you get the most flavor in every bite.
Garlic Herb Chicken Ingredients
All you need to make these garlic herb chicken thighs are a quick trip to the spice rack and fridge! Here’s a list of the ingredients to grab:
- chicken thighs: bone-in, skin-on work best for flavorful, juicy meat.
- salt & black pepper: to generously season the chicken skin.
- olive oil: mixed with the seasonings to form a paste. The oil coats the skin and turns it a beautiful bronzy color.
- fresh garlic: lots of flavor!
- Italian seasoning: dried Italian seasoning adds incredible taste and aroma. You could also use Herbs de Provence.
How to Make Garlic Chicken Thighs
Got those ingredients in hand? Good, now let’s make the best tasting chicken thighs you’ve ever had! Here’s what to do:
- Preheat
Set the oven to 400F. - Prepare the baste
Whisk the olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning to form a paste. - Brush
Season both sides of the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Place the chicken thighs into a baking dish and brush the baste over each thigh. - Bake
Bake the chicken for 40 to 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 175F. - Time to eat
Allow the chicken to rest 5 minutes before serving. Don’t forget to drizzle some garlic herb sauce right over the chicken before plating!
If you like watching how recipes are made, check out the video for these garlic chicken thighs:
The Perfect Crispy Skin
Tired of your baked chicken turning out with soggy skins? That’s a simple fix! To achieve perfectly crispy chicken skin, use paper towels to pat dry the chicken before seasoning. It helps salt, spices, dry rubs, and wet rubs stick to the skin’s surface as it cooks in the oven.
Also, don’t scrimp on the salt- it dehydrates the skin giving it that flavorful and crisp texture we’re all aiming for.
Using Boneless Skinless Thighs
If you’d like to make this recipe with boneless, skinless thighs, adjust the cooking time to 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 175F.
To make it easier, use the chart below to reference the correct baking times for boneless, skinless chicken thighs according to temperature:
| 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) |
Success Tips for Baked Garlic Chicken Thighs
Before you head to the kitchen, here are a few simple tips to help you perfect these garlic chicken thighs and any baked chicken thigh recipe:
Keep the skin on
The skin locks in all the juices and prevents the chicken meat from drying out. If you aren’t a fan of chicken skin, remove it once the thighs are baked.
Cook according to temperature
Cooking chicken to internal temperature is always the most accurate indication of when it’s done. You’ll need a meat thermometer for this one. Dark meat is ready when it reaches an internal temperature of 175F.
Don’t crowd them
Crowding the chicken pieces will create steam and make the skin soggy. I recommend using a large baking dish or rimmed baking sheet to give them plenty of space for each thigh to develop a bronzed crust.
What to Serve with Juicy Baked Garlic Chicken Thighs
All that’s left is to decide what to serve with these mouthwatering baked chicken thighs! Below you’ll find easy and healthy side dishes that you can bake in the oven along with the chicken or assemble while it cooks.
- Roasted Asparagus with Lemon
- Sweet Potato Salad
- Roasted Fall Vegetables
- Creamy Parmesan Polenta
- Caramelized Brussels Sprouts
Baked Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone-in skin-on
- Salt & black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4-6 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the olive oil, garlic, and Italian seasoning to form a paste.
- Generously season the chicken thighs with salt and black pepper. Place the chicken thighs in a baking dish, skin-side up. With a spoon or basting brush, distribute the garlic mixture over the top of the chicken thighs.
- Bake for 40 to 45 minutes until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 175F.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the oven and, using a spoon, drizzle some of the garlic sauce over the chicken and serve.
Estela
I made these garlic baked chicken thighs last night for dinner. They were juicy and delicious!
Marlene
This was baked chicken thigh perfection. So crispy & delicious and that garlic topping was epic.
J B
This was delicious. I put some of the seasonings under the ski as well as brushing it on top. Came out great!
Laura Fuentes
I’m glad you enjoyed these garlic chicken thighs!!
Kimmy
This garlic chicken is nothing short of magical!!!