Description
This Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs recipe delivers tender, flavorful chicken with perfectly crispy skin. Marinated in a blend of olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic, and onion powders, these baked thighs are effortlessly delicious and great for an easy weeknight dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 8 bone-in chicken thighs, with skin on (about 4 pounds/1.8 kg)
Seasoning Mix
- ½ cup (120 ml) olive oil
- 4 teaspoons (24 g) kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon (1 g) paprika, smoked or sweet
- 1 teaspoon (2 g) garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon (1 g) black pepper
Garnish
- 1 tablespoon (1 g) chopped parsley
- 8 lemon wedges
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Grease the rack with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent the chicken from sticking.
- Prepare the Pieces: Trim off any excess skin and fat from the edges of the chicken thighs. Use paper towels to thoroughly dry each piece to remove surface moisture, a key step for achieving crispy skin.
- Season the Pieces: In a large bowl, combine olive oil, kosher salt, dried Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Add the chicken thighs to this seasoning mixture and turn them to coat evenly, ensuring every piece is well covered with the flavorful blend.
- Bake the Chicken: Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs evenly spaced on the prepared wire rack atop the baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven until the skin turns golden brown and crispy, about 35 to 40 minutes. Confirm doneness with a meat thermometer; the internal temperature should reach 175°F (79°C) to maintain juiciness.
- To Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking to allow the juices to redistribute. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and arrange lemon wedges on the side. Transfer to a serving platter and serve warm.
Notes
- Drying the chicken thoroughly before seasoning is essential for crispy skin.
- Using a wire rack allows heat to circulate evenly and prevents soggy bottoms.
- Adjust seasoning amounts to taste or dietary needs.
- Internal temperature is critical; avoid overcooking to keep thighs juicy.
- Leftover chicken can be refrigerated and used within 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
