This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
These perfectly cooked Oven Baked Chicken Thigh are absolutely the JUICIEST chicken thighs ever — and they’re delightfully crispy on the outside. With only a few simple ingredients, they’re easy enough for anyone to make and done in an hour!
Quick Recipe Overview
WHAT: Juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and spices, then baked until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
WHY: This recipe delivers restaurant-quality chicken with minimal effort, crispy skin, tender meat, and flavorful drippings perfect for serving.
HOW: Pat chicken dry with paper towel, season with spices, cover with foil, bake at 400°F for 40 minutes, then uncover for crispy results.
Table of Contents
- Quick Recipe Overview
- Why I Love Making Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- Ingredient Notes
- Perfect Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
- How To Make Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs
- Substitutions & Variations for Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- FAQs for Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
- My Best Tips for Making Oven Baked Chicken Legs
- Storage and Reheating Tips
- What to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs
- Similar Recipes to Try
- Other Chicken Recipes to Try
Why I Love Making Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
I love this simple recipe for a super satisfying weeknight dinner idea. You know, when you want comfort food but don’t have a ton of time or energy to spend in the kitchen! They would pair great with these Jumbo Dinner Rolls Recipe , this Zucchini Side Dish , and this Green Bean Salad!
I also left notes for how to serve the pan juices with the chicken (it’s so flavorful and hearty thanks to the butter, spices, and chicken juices). Serve with mashed potatoes and green beans for a Southern comfort meal, or black beans and corn salad for more of a Southwestern spin!
🩷 Melissa
Have you tried baked chicken thighs before? My goodness, you will fall in love with this super simple, yet versatile recipe.
I’m a fan of this dish when it’s been a long day and I just want a comfort meal, without spending hours putting together something elaborate in the kitchen.
Prepping oven baked chicken thighs only takes about 5 minutes, and then they bake for a total of about 50 to 60 minutes. Bada boom, bada bing, you’re all set! I
Ingredient Notes
Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on thighs are essential for this recipe. The bone helps retain moisture during cooking, while the skin becomes beautifully crispy. Look for thighs that are similar in size for even cooking.
Melted Butter: The butter acts as a binder for the seasonings and contributes to browning. You can substitute with olive oil if preferred, though butter adds extra flavor.
Kosher Salt: I prefer kosher salt for its clean taste and easy distribution. If using table salt, reduce the amount by half as it’s more concentrated.
See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Perfect Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika,, optional
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper,, optional
- 3 to 4 pounds chicken thighs,, bone-in, skin-on
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- In a small bowl, mix the seasonings together.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the packaging. If the skin is very long or overhangs the chicken meat, trim the skin.
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
- Brush each side of the chicken with melted butter.
- Sprinkle each side of the chicken thighs with the seasoning mixture.
- Place the chicken thighs on a rimmed baking sheet.
- Cover the baking sheet with foil.
- Bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove the foil, and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Remove from the oven, and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- Feel free to use any of your other favorite seasonings like lemon pepper, Cajun seasoning, seasoned salt, or Everything Bagel seasoning for this recipe.
- The drippings left on the pan are delicious. I highly recommend serving them with your meal. You can remove the chicken from the pan and simply pour the pan juices into a bowl to serve with the meat, au jus style.
- Or make a simple gravy by adding the pan drippings to a small sauce pan, then combining 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup of cold water, stirring to combine. Add this to the pan drippings, whisking to combine. Heat over medium-high heat until the mixture boils and thickens, about 3 minutes. Serve as a simple gravy.
Nutrition
How To Make Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a small bowl, mix the seasonings together. Remove the chicken thighs from the packaging.
Step 2: If the skin is very long or overhangs the chicken meat, trim the skin.
Step 3: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Step 4: Brush each side of the chicken with melted butter.
Step 5: Sprinkle each side of the chicken thighs with the seasoning mixture.
Step 6: Place the chicken thighs on a rimmed baking sheet. Cover the baking sheet with foil. Bake for 40 minutes.
Step 7: Remove the foil, and bake for another 10 to 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Step 8: Remove from the oven, and allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs
Bake chicken thighs for 40 minutes covered with foil on a baking sheet. This traps in the moisture and allows the juices to stay intact.
Remove the foil and bake an additional 10 to 20 minutes to finish cooking the chicken and allow the skin to get crispy.
An instant-read thermometer will register 165°F when the chicken has finished cooking.
Substitutions & Variations for Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Seasoning Swaps
Try lemon pepper seasoning for a citrusy twist, Cajun seasoning for heat, or Everything Bagel seasoning for a unique flavor profile. Italian seasoning blend also works beautifully.
Honey Garlic Glaze
Mix 3 tablespoons honey with 2 tablespoons soy sauce and brush over the chicken during the last 10 minutes of uncovered baking for a sweet and savory glaze.
Mediterranean Style
Replace the seasoning blend with dried oregano, thyme, and a squeeze of lemon juice over the finished chicken. Add sliced olives and feta cheese to the pan in the last 5 minutes.
Spicy Version
Increase cayenne pepper to 1 teaspoon or add red pepper flakes. For even more heat, add a tablespoon of hot sauce to the melted butter before brushing.
Oil Alternative
Substitute melted butter with olive oil, avocado oil, or melted coconut oil. Each brings its own subtle flavor while still helping achieve crispy skin.
FAQs for Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are done cooking when they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside and 165°F on the inside. The inside should also no longer be pink when you cut into the chicken.
This recipe automatically yields a nice and crispy skin thanks to the use of butter and finishing the thighs with the foil removed. If you want it extra-crispy, you can remove the foil after 30 minutes and finish the chicken for another 20-30 minutes uncovered.
Store baked chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 4 months.
You can use leftover chicken thighs in anything you’d use cooked or shredded chicken in! Add to soups, burritos, quesadillas, sandwiches, chicken salad, chicken casserole, or enchiladas!
To reheat baked chicken thighs, place them on a baking sheet, cover with foil, and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10 minutes, or until heated through.
My Best Tips for Making Oven Baked Chicken Legs
☞ Pat the chicken completely dry: This is the single most important step for crispy skin. Use paper towels to remove all surface moisture before adding butter and seasonings. Wet skin will steam rather than crisp.
☞ Trim excess skin carefully: If the skin overhangs the meat significantly, trim it to prevent it from burning or becoming rubbery. Leave enough to cover the meat but remove any long flaps.
☞ Don’t skip the resting time: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful.
☞ Use a rimmed baking sheet: A sheet pan with sides is essential to catch all those flavorful drippings. Line it with foil for easier cleanup, but don’t skip collecting those pan juices for serving.
☞ Invest in an instant-read thermometer: Taking the guesswork out of doneness ensures perfectly cooked chicken every time. Insert it into the thickest part of the thigh without touching bone for an accurate internal temperature reading.
Storage and Reheating Tips
Room Temperature
Don’t leave cooked chicken at room temperature for more than 2 hours for food safety reasons.
Refrigerator
Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Keep the skin on to maintain moisture, even though it won’t stay as crispy.
Freezer
Freeze cooked chicken in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
For best results, reheat in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes until warmed through. This helps maintain texture better than microwaving. You can also reheat in an air fryer at 375°F for 8-10 minutes to re-crisp the skin.
Make Ahead
Season the raw chicken thighs up to 24 hours before cooking and store covered in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature for 20-30 minutes before baking for even cooking.
What to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs
These juicy chicken thighs pair beautifully with so many sides. Try roasted vegetables like Brussels sprouts, carrots, or broccoli for a healthy complete meal. Creamy mashed potatoes or garlic butter rice soak up those delicious pan drippings perfectly.
For lighter options, serve over a crisp green salad or alongside roasted sweet potatoes. A warm dinner roll is always welcome to mop up any remaining juices on the plate.
Similar Recipes to Try
- One-Pan Roasted Chicken Thighs With Potatoes — Flavorful and tender, juicy chicken thighs baked with seasoned vegetables for a complete meal.
- Sheet Pan Lemon and Herb Chicken — Easy meal prep, simple ingredients, and minimal cleanup.
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs — In 20 minutes you will have tender and juicy chicken that is great on its own or paired with a variety of sides.
Other Chicken Recipes to Try
Chicken Recipes
Making Chicken Fried Rice
Chicken Recipes
Sheet Pan Lemon and Herb Chicken
Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Thai Chicken Satay Recipe
Chicken Recipes
Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry
Did you make this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ review and share it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!
Used this recipe for Thanksgiving with four chicken thighs or about two pounds, was absolutely perfect!! Juicy, perfectly cooked meat with super crispy and tasty skin! Will be my go to chicken thigh recipe from now on!
This is THE BEST CHICKEN. We make this weekly-sometimes more. It’s just so good, so simple to make (just have to remember it takes an hour to bake) and it’s just so, so good. Rave reviews. No notes. Perfection.