Deliciously Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Are A Family Favorite Dinner! (2024)

My baked chicken thighs are tender and juicy. 3-ingredient chicken thighs with a crispy outer skin and perfect flavor with my homemade seasoning. This method is so simple you can have delicious chicken thighs on your table in 40 minutes flat.

Serve with garlic red skin mashed potatoes or ranch roasted potatoes and a green veggie or two, like broccoli or sauteed asparagus. After baking, they will be fall-off-the-bone tender. Enjoy!

When imagining a chicken dinner, most people's thoughts veer to chicken breast. Agreeably, chicken breast is versatile and easy to work with, but the flavor lies in the dark meat of the chicken thighs.

Chicken thighs are fattier than their white-meat counterparts, which keeps the meat tender and moist and imbues it with flavor as it cooks. Because of that, a little seasoning goes a long way with thighs.

This easy, oven-baked method guarantees perfectly crispy results without all the grease associated with frying.

🥘 Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs - 2 lbs. Bone-in, skin on.
• Olive Oil - 1 Tbsp. Extra virgin. You can also use canola, vegetable, or sunflower oil as a 1:1 substitute if you are out of olive.
• Chicken Seasoning - 2 tsp. Follow my extremely easy homemade chicken seasoning recipe, or use your favorite brand.

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for ingredients, amounts & instructions!*

🔪 How To Bake Chicken Thighs

You are just a few simple steps away from delicious crispy chicken thighs. You'll want a meat thermometer to remove any guesswork so you don't overcook them.

1. Prep. Preheat your oven to 425°F(218°C)and place a roasting rack or cooling rack (coated with non-stick spray) into a 9x13 baking dish. *If you don't have a roasting or cooling rack, line the baking dish with foil.
2. Dry and trim. Remove any excess fat from the 2 pounds of chicken thighs and pat them dry using paper towels. (*see note).
3. Season. Use a basting brush (*see note) to brush the 2 tablespoons of olive oil onto each of the thighs. Season each chicken thigh thoroughly, then transfer your thighs to the wire rack in your baking dish.
4. Bake until golden. Place your baking dish in the middle of the oven's center rack and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the chicken's internal temperature reaches 165°F(74°C).
5. Crisp. To make the skin extra crispy, set the thighs under the broiler for 2-3 minutes, monitoring closely (*see note).

See my post on what to serve with chicken for side dish ideas.

💭 Tips & Notes

• Removing the moisture is key. Using paper towels to thoroughly pat the chicken dry is key to getting perfectly crisp skin.
• If you don't have a basting brush, you can pour some oil into a small bowl and use a bunched-up paper towel to dip and brush the chicken with oil. It will absorb some, so you may need a little bit extra.
• Don't burn your chicken! If broiling, watch your thighs closely so the skin and/or seasoning do not burn. You can even leave the oven door open so you can watch closely while broiling.
• Try to use chicken thighs that are about the same size. This will help them all finish cooking at the same time.

🥡 Storing & Reheating

Leftover chicken should be kept in the refrigerator, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days before discarding.

You may freeze leftovers for up to 4 months as long as it is properly stored in a freezer bag or an airtight container.

Thaw frozen chicken by moving it to the fridge overnight.

Reheating

To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F(175°C). Place the thighs in a baking dish with a few tablespoons of broth or stock for moisture and cover the dish tightly with foil.

Bake until the chicken is warmed through, usually about 15-20 minutes. *This will not yield crispy skin. To re-crisp skin, pop it back under the broiler for a few minutes, watching closely.

❓ FAQ

🍗 More Delicious Chicken Recipes

• Doritos Chicken Casserole with Cream Cheese
• Chicken and Peppers
• Baked Huli Huli Chicken
• Creamy Parmesan Garlic Mushroom Chicken
• Cream Cheese Chicken

📖 Recipe Card

More Main Dish