Made with simple kitchen staples, this Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is perfect for dinner tonight. The skin is so crispy and the interior is so juicy and tender!
Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with foil.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Drizzle the chicken with the oil rub to coat them well.
In a small bowl, combine the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and pepper. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture all over the chicken to coat well. Arrange the chicken on the prepared baking sheet leaving some space between the pieces.
Place the chicken in the oven and immediately reduce the temperature to 425°F.
Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, or until the chicken skin is crispy and the internal temperature registers 165°F in the thicket portion of each piece. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
For even cooking, it’s best to use chicken thighs that are uniform in size.
It’s essential to dry chicken with paper towels before cooking, especially if it was frozen beforehand, as excess moisture can prevent it from browning and crisping up properly. Drying the thighs will also help the seasoning stick to them better.
To ensure that the chicken thighs are cooked through, it’s important to check the temperature by sticking the thermometer in the thickest part of the meat. Make sure to avoid touching the bone when inserting the thermometer. Aim to be at least ¼ inch away from the bone.
Remember that when baking chicken thighs, the time required may vary due to the size of your chicken.
If you are able to, rubbing the seasoning underneath the skin will yield more flavorful chicken.
Make sure you set the temperature for the oven high for this baked chicken thighs recipe. The high temperature reduces baking time and seals in the moisture, giving you juicier chicken.
Do not cover or move the chicken as it bakes. Baking the chicken thighs uncovered helps the skin crisp up, and flipping them will prevent that.