These Baked Bone in Chicken Thighs have skin so crispy you won't believe they're baked! With perfectly seasoned crispy outside and juicy tender inside, this simple main course is ready to devour in just 40 minutes!
Jump to:
- Better Than The Rest - Here's Why
- Baked Bone In Chicken Thighs: What To Know & Recipe Highlights
- 🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- 🔪 Here's How To Make It
- 🙋🏼 Top Questions I Get Asked About This Recipe
- Expert Tips
- 🥗 Here's What Pairs Really Well With These Chicken Thighs
- 🍲 More Chicken Recipes You Should Try
- Baked Bone In Chicken Thighs
Better Than The Rest - Here's Why
✅ You're going to get ultra-crispy seasoned skin without using the deep fryer!
✅ You can make these in the oven or on the grill.
✅ Customizable rub for however smoky or spicy you want it!
Baked Bone In Chicken Thighs: What To Know & Recipe Highlights
- Key Equipment Tip: The key to getting ultra-crispy chicken thighs is to use a wire rack above your baking sheet. The rack helps air flow all around the chicken while it bakes so that every side is crispy, and you're not left with a crispy top but soggy bottom. On that note, avoid overcrowding the pan so each piece of chicken has at least 1-2 inches of space around it.
- Types of Chicken: While this seasoning is perfect for bone in thighs, you can also use this spice rub for drumsticks or boneless and skinless thighs.
- Extra Flavor: When adding the rub to the skin, really get it under the skin and all over the skin. I mean, in my opinion, you can't really add too much!
- These thighs are great when grilled! Just preheat the grill to 450°F and grill for 25-30 minutes, or until the internal temperature has reached 165°F.
- For a healthier version, use olive oil instead of butter. Just be sure to use one or the other (not both), as it helps the seasoning stick. Keep in mind though, the chicken will get more crispy if you use butter.
- For even more flavorful chicken thighs, rub the spice mixture on the chicken pieces and let them marinate in the refrigerator overnight.
- For ultra-crispy golden brown skin, turn the broiler on high during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Watch carefully to make sure they don't burn though.
- Key Ingredient: Smoked paprika adds a hint of smokiness, almost like the chicken was sitting out on the grill. For a spicier rub, swap smoked paprika for hot paprika, or tame everything down by using sweet paprika instead.
🛒 Ingredients You'll Need
- Chicken thighs - Bone-in, skin-on work best for juicy, flavorful meat and a crunchy exterior.
- Butter - since this recipe calls for salt, use unsalted butter. It adds a deep richness and helps the seasoning stick. And, it helps make the skin crispier.
- Onion Powder - adds a subtle onion flavor to the mix.
- Garlic powder - adds a hint of garlic and adds to the savoriness of the rub.
- Oregano - for an earthy, almost minty note that balances out the other spices.
- Thyme - for a slightly minty and citrusy layer.
- Smoked Paprika - adds a subtle smokiness to the rub.
- Salt and Pepper - flavor enhancers.
👩🏼🍳 Scroll down to the recipe card below for all the details you’ll need to make this recipe!
🔪 Here's How To Make It
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a small bowl, mix all of the dry ingredients together. Set aside.
Step 2: Place each piece of chicken on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. Melt the butter in a dish and then baste it directly on the meat (lift up the skin), as well as on top of the skin.
Step 3: Add about 1 Tablespoon of the dry seasoning to each piece of chicken, ensuring the rub is put directly on the meat and on the skin.
Step 4: Use your hands to spread the rub evenly over the entire piece of chicken.
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Step 5: Place the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature measures 165°F. When done, remove the chicken thighs from the oven and allow to cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Step 6: After just 30 minutes of baking, you'll have chicken ready for dinner that's crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside and ready to eat!
🙋🏼 Top Questions I Get Asked About This Recipe
No! Bake them uncovered. Covering them in foil will cause the skin to become soggy, not crispy like we want with this recipe.
Metal is a better conductor of heat, so it tends to work better when you're looking to quickly cook chicken so the outside crisps up. Don't forget to use a metal baking rack for the crispiest skin!
Expert Tips
- Since the chicken is cooked at such a high temperature, it's likely to splatter some while baking in the oven. Make sure to have the chicken on the middle rack of your oven.
- This dish takes around 30 minutes to cook, but since every oven is a little different, just be sure the internal temperature is 165°F.
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
- Reheating: To reheat, either place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-20 minutes until warm. Or reheat it in the air fryer at 350°F, skin side up, for 5-8 minutes, or until heated all the way through.
- Freezer Friendly: You can also freeze the leftover chicken for up to 4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Defrost before using.
🥗 Here's What Pairs Really Well With These Chicken Thighs
🍲 More Chicken Recipes You Should Try
If you tried these baked chicken thighs or any other recipes on my website, please let me know how it turned out in the comments below. I love hearing from you! And, please leave a 🌟 rating while you're there!
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Baked Bone In Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- 1 Baking Sheet with Wire Rack
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on
- 1 Tablespoon butter, unsalted and melted
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1½ teaspoons smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon coarse salt
- ½ teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F.
- In a small bowl, mix 2 teaspoons onion powder, 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 1 ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, ½ teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper together. Set aside.
- Put each piece of chicken on a rack on top of a baking sheet.
- Melt the butter in a dish and then baste it directly on top of the meat, as well as on top of the skin.
- Add about 1 Tablespoon of the dry seasoning to each piece of chicken, ensuring the rub is put directly on the meat and on the skin. Use your hands to spread the rub evenly over the entire piece.
- Put the pan in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the internal temperature measures 165°F.
- When done, remove the chicken thighs from the oven and allow to cool for 3-5 minutes before serving.
Notes
-
- Since the chicken is cooked at such a high temperature, it's likely to splatter some. Make sure to have the chicken on the middle rack of the oven.
-
- This dish takes around 30 minutes to cook, but since every oven is a little different, just be sure the internal temperature is 165 degrees F.
-
- Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 2-3 days in the refrigerator.
-
- Reheating: To reheat, either place the chicken on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-20 minutes until warm. Or reheat it in the air fryer, skin side up, for 5-8 minutes, or until heated all the way through.
-
- Freezer Friendly: You can also freeze the leftover chicken for up to 4 months in an airtight container or freezer bag. Defrost before using.
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Enter your email to receive this recipe, along with weekly food inspiration!
Nutrition
This recipe was adapted from Downshiftology.
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