Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Name: Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 6
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 6 bone-in chicken thighs; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning; 2 tablespoons garlic powder

Jump to Recipe

Oven baked chicken thighs are a delicious and easy-to-prepare dish that is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion. Pair them with roasted russet potatoes or oven roasted peppers and Texas toast for a complete meal in just 40 minutes.

There are a ton of baked chicken thigh recipes out there but I’m telling you this one is the winner. It is fast, fail-proof, and results in tender, juicy chicken with tasty, crispy skin.

Why I love this recipe

Chicken thighs are dark meat so they are naturally more juicy and flavorful than white meat like chicken breast. With our simple seasoning mix rubbed on the skin and tricks for baking them up nice and crispy, it is a very versatile recipe that can go with just about any side dish.

I also love that you can use this recipe as a base to customize and experiment with the spices. Add a little cayenne pepper for spice, add some oregano and lemon for a Greek flair (perfect with out Greek potatoes), or even some cumin for a Mexican inspired taste. Make it your own!

Ingredients

This is a very simple recipe, you only need 4 ingredients!

chicken thighs
extra virgin olive oil
garlic powder
Italian seasoning

raw chicken thighs in bowl with olive oil bottle and seasonings

Step by step

Preheat the oven and place an oven safe cooling rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Spray the rack with nonstick spray.
Mix the Italian seasoning and garlic powder in a small bowl.

Brush the chicken thighs with olive oil, then rub on all sides with the seasoning mixture. Place on the rack.
Bake for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.

FAQs

Can you overcook chicken thighs?

It is possible but unlikely you will over-bake and dry out chicken thighs. Unlike chicken breasts, thighs have a higher fat content and are difficult to dry out when baking.

Should I cover chicken thighs while baking?

There is no need to cover these while baking. In fact, leaving them uncovered helps crisp up the skin and make them extra tasty!

Do you need to flip the chicken thighs while baking?

There is no need to flip the thighs while baking. The elevated position on the rack ensured all sides of the chicken thighs are heated and crisp up.

Storage

Leftovers: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes or until heated through.

Freezing: All chicken to cool then place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!