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Perfectly cooked, golden-brown chicken thighs garnished with rosemary, ideal for showcasing delicious chicken thigh recipes.

Perfect Baked Chicken Thigh Recipes

These baked chicken thigh recipes deliver juicy, tender meat and crispy, golden skin with minimal effort. Ideal for weeknight meals, they’re highly customizable and always satisfying.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 thighs
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 370
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6 oz each)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp paprika (or mix of sweet and smoked)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/4 tsp dried thyme leaves (or rosemary/basil)

Equipment

  • rimmed baking sheet
  • Baking rack
  • Instant read meat thermometer
  • Paper Towels
  • mixing bowl (for spices)

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a baking rack on top.
  2. Pat chicken thighs very dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
  3. Drizzle thighs with olive oil on both sides.
  4. Mix paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and thyme. Sprinkle evenly on both sides of chicken.
  5. Rub seasonings into the skin and meat using your hands for better flavor penetration.
  6. Place chicken on rack, skin-side up, leaving space between pieces. Bake for 35–40 minutes or until internal temp reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. For extra crispy skin, broil for 2–3 minutes at the end, watching closely to avoid burning.
  8. Let chicken rest 5–10 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

Notes

For a crispier finish, use a wire rack and pat the chicken dry. Add a bit of baking powder to the seasoning for extra crunch. For boneless thighs, reduce bake time to 20–25 minutes. Mix up spices to try Cajun, lemon herb, or BBQ variations.