3.97 from 177 votes

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

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This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is ready to eat in just 40 minutes. When chicken thighs are roasted in the oven, they are juicy with deliciously crispy skin. 

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

A round image of Jillian Wade, the creator behind Food Folks and Fun.

There are many oven baked chicken thighs recipes on the internet. I’ve added my recipe to the list because it is an easy, non-complicated, fuss-free meal bursting with flavor. And don’t even get me started on the crispy skin!

Chicken thighs are dark meat that is naturally more flavorful than other pieces, such as the breast. When you add my simple spice blend before baking, these are off-the-charts delicious. 

The skin is perfectly crisp, while the meat is juicy and tender. This basic chicken recipe is versatile because it goes well with just about any side dish. You can even increase the spice by adding a pinch of chili powder and cayenne.

My top recommendation for a hands-free, simple chicken recipe to add to your menu rotation is these Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs. 

Jillian's signature that says: happy eating, Jillian.
The finished chicken on a grey plate with rice and broccoli.

Ingredients & Estimated Cost

Per Serving Cost: $2.57

Recipe Cost: $10.26

  • 8 chicken thighs – $9.80
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil – $0.28
  • 1 teaspoon salt – $0.01
  • ½ teaspoon pepper – $0.03
  • ½ teaspoon paprika -$0.01
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder -$0.03
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley -$0.10

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. Prices updated September 2024. 

All of the ingredients needed to make this recipe.

How to Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven:

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat.

The chicken thighs trimmed of excess fat.

Next, brush olive oil over the chicken thighs.

Olive oil being brushed over the chicken.

Then, combine the seasonings in a small bowl.

The seasonings being combined in a small bowl.

Sprinkle the seasoning blend over both sides of the chicken thighs.

Seasoning sprinkled over raw chicken thighs.

Place the chicken in the baking dish.

The chicken in a baking dish before it's baked.

Finally, bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken thighs.

The finished baked chicken thighs in a pan.

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Recipe Tools:

How Long Is It Good For

SERVE: The roasted chicken thighs can be kept at room temperature for up to two hours before they need to be refrigerated. 

STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZE: Once the chicken is cool, place it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for 4-5 months. Defrost the chicken in the refrigerator overnight and then warm it in a 350-degree F oven for 10-20 minutes or until heated through. 

A close up picture of the finished chicken in a baking dish.

Recipe FAQs

What temperature should chicken thighs be cooked at?

The internal temperature should read 165 degrees.

Should I cover chicken with foil when baking?

It is unnecessary to cover the baking dish before baking these chicken thighs. However, leaving it uncovered helps the skin get extra crispy during baking.

Can you overcook chicken thighs?

While you can overcook chicken thighs, it is more difficult to do so than overcooking chicken breasts. This is another reason I love cooking chicken thighs. Baking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees results in juicy meat.  

More Chicken Main Dish Recipes:

  1. Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
  2. Chicken Divan Casserole
  3. Crockpot Whole Chicken
  4. Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles
  5. Cranberry Chicken Salad with Pecans
  6. Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki
  7. Grilled BBQ Chicken
  8. Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Watch How To Make It

I aim to cater to different learning styles. If you prefer learning by watching, watch a video of this recipe below.

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An overhead picture of the finished oven baked chicken thighs recipe in a white baking dish.
3.97 from 177 votes

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Recipe Cost $ $10.26
Serving Cost $ $2.57
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
4 people
This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is ready to eat in just 40 minutes. When chicken thighs are roasted in the oven, they are so juicy with deliciously crispy skin.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking dish
  • Measuring spoons
  • small bowl
  • mixing spoon
  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients
 
 

  • 8 chicken thighs bone-in, and skin-on, about 3 pounds
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

Instructions

PREP OVEN AND BAKING DISH:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.

PREP CHICKEN:

  • Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat.
  • Brush olive oil over the chicken thighs.
  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and parsley.
  • Sprinkle the seasoning blend over both sides of the chicken thighs and place them in the prepared baking dish.

BAKE:

  • Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees. The time varies depending on how big the chicken thighs are.

Notes

  • You can use boneless skinless thighs for this recipe if you prefer.
  • I like to spoon some of the chicken juices about 10 minutes before it is finished to help everything crisp up in the final moments.
  • You can increase the spice for this recipe by adding a pinch of chili powder and cayenne.

Nutrition

Serving: 2chicken thighs | Calories: 561kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 221mg | Sodium: 756mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.05g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg

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3.97 from 177 votes (148 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




57 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    I use this recipe constantly! It’s a household staple for me. Best chicken I’ve ever made is always with this recipe.

  2. Samantha Lewis says:

    4 stars
    I made these they were good skin wasn’t crispy but meat was good. Had to cook extra 15 minutes

  3. Curtis Joe says:

    You need to bake some big fat chicken thighs pieces, do I extended the time by maybe ten minutes?

    1. Yes, by 10-15 minutes. And make sure you don’t overcrowd the pan (overcrowding the pan will prevent the skin from getting crispy).