These crispy oven baked chicken thighs are rubbed with a caramelized seasoning of paprika, onion powder, garlic salt, pepper, and brown sugar. The results are juicy and flavorful dark meat with crisp skin!
Why this recipe works
Baked chicken thighs are one of the easiest dinners to throw together with only 7 ingredients. You simply rub the chicken with a mixture of classic seasonings then pop it in the oven until it’s golden and crispy on the outside and juicy tender on the inside, just like our baked chicken legs. There’s nothing complicated about it!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
CHICKEN – We are using bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, but you can also use boneless. If you use boneless thighs, you may need to cook them a little longer. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness, when it reaches an internal temperature of 165F they are done.
RUB – The rub is a mixture of olive oil, pepper, garlic salt, brown sugar, smoked paprika, and onion powder. You can of course sub in any of your favorite seasonings if desired. The olive oil will help bind the seasonings to the skin and the brown sugar adds extra depth of caramelized flavor, it does not make the skin sweet.
How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix together olive oil, pepper, garlic salt, brown sugar, paprika, and onion powder.
- Using gloved hands, massage oil and spice mixture all over both sides of the chicken thighs.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F on an instant read thermometer.
EXPERT TIP – If you would like your skin crispier, place the baked chicken under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Watch carefully so as not to burn the thighs.
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Store any leftovers in an air-tight container kept in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or air fryer.
You do not need to cover chicken thighs when baking. Leaving them uncovered while in the oven is what gives the chicken its crispy skin.
Yes, check out our air fryer chicken thighs recipe!
Serving Suggestions
Serve oven baked chicken thighs with a side of mashed potatoes, garlic green beans, carrots, macaroni and cheese, potato wedges, Brussels sprouts, or a salad. Enjoy warm from the oven! Leftover chicken thigh meat can be added to salads, pasta dishes, wraps, and tacos.
More Chicken Recipes
- Oven Fried Chicken
- Koren Fried Chicken
- Baked Chicken Legs
- Air Fryer Fried Chicken
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- Skillet Chicken Thighs
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Baked Chicken Thighs
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Pin It Rate ItIngredients
- 8 bone-in skin on chicken thighs approximately 5 pounds
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
- ½ Tablespoon black pepper
- 1 Tablespoon garlic salt
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon smoked paprika
- ½ Tablespoon onion powder
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- If you would like your skin crispier, place baked chicken under the broiler for about 2 minutes. Watch carefully so as not to burn the thighs.
- If you use boneless thighs, you may need to cook them little longer. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness.
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 F.
- Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry with paper towels.
- Mix together olive oil, pepper, garlic salt, brown sugar, paprika, and onion powder.
- Using gloved hands, massage oil and spice mixture all over both sides of the chicken thighs.
- Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 F on an instant read thermometer.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
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doris says
these I will try and was wondering if it ya could add some maple bacon seasoning to this and how much
Carole Hibbens says
Can you use skinless thighs,if so do you cook them the same way?
Amanda Davis says
Yu can, but I would reduce the baking time to about 30-35 minutes.
Francine says
This was my first time trying this recipe and not only was it delicious but I did not alter the recipe at all. It was crispy on the outside and tender inside. No need for marinating which at first, I was skeptical. Definitely on my rotation for dinner. Served it with a baked potato, corn on the cob and mixed salad. Outstanding!
Jon B says
This recipe is quite good I have one that’s very similar basically just substitute butter for olive oil …butter and chicken go really good together and I use minced fresh garlic… Thighs are the best!
Mary Ann Black says
Could I do this with the boneless chicken breast strips? I have no thighs and an abundance of the strips.
Jeannette A. Lewis says
I have been married over 58 years so feel I know my way around a kitchen! I enjoy trying new recipes I find on various websites, but this the very first time I have ever thought I found a treasure and felt compelled to “rate” a recipe found online…….
I cannot say enough good things about the this Baked Chicken Thighs recipe…. Easy and quick prep and the results produce thighs with simply FABULOUS FLAVOR! True “deliciousness”!
THANK YOU. so much Amanda! And my husband thanks you too! Rating? **********
Lynn Kitabchi says
Add tumeic or gramarsella
Rita says
Do you put the dish on the bottom rack?
Thx
Amanda Formaro says
Center rack is best
Valerie Milne says
very simple recipe and have everything in the pantry.