Are you looking for a quick and delicious dinner recipe? This juicy baked chicken thigh recipe is a sure bet. It is an all-in-one healthy, family-approved, easy, and inexpensive recipe. With the combination of pantry staple ingredients, this recipe will constantly be on the menu in your home.
Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs
When it comes to chicken, we want to make sure that it tastes good! Baked chicken can end up drying out quickly, it’s because the moisture evaporates. Here are some tips and tricks to ensure you’re getting juicy baked chicken thighs every time:
- Ensure the chicken is at room temperature before cooking them
- Don’t overcook the chicken
- Always let your chicken thighs rest after baking so the juices can settle back in before serving, making delicious moist chicken
The result? Juicy and flavorful baked chicken thighs that are cooked just right!
Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thigh Recipe – Richer, deeper flavor.
Chicken thighs are incredibly convenient and budget-friendly to cook. They contain more fat which makes them more tender and tastier after baking. Unlike chicken breast, this recipe is more forgiving even if you overcook.
This dark meat is typically known for being moister and more flavorful than the white meat of the chicken breast. DARK. MEAT. Moister. Richer, deeper flavor.
The great thing about chicken thighs is that they are not only good for baking but you can use them for different sauces so they never get boring. Here are some of our favorite ways to cook them: Chicken Fricassée, cilantro lime chicken, chicken coconut sauce, smothered chicken, and African chicken peanut soup.
The flavor of the chicken thigh is amplified because it has enough time to cook in its own juice.
Why I love Chicken Thighs
- Chicken thighs are one of the most versatile pieces of meat you can buy
- They have more fat than chicken breast, which makes them stand up well to high-heat cooking methods like baking in the oven.
- They stay juicy even when they are cooked thoroughly and don’t dry out quickly when exposed to heat.
Ingredients for Baked Chicken Thighs
Fresh chicken combined with tasty seasoning makes a tasty dinner. It is fast to prep and easy to make.
- Chicken thighs: I used bone-in and skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe. If you are using boneless chicken, the baking time will reduce.
- Dry oregano and Ground cumin: add these herbs to switch up the flavor
- Paprika: adds smoky and rich tones to the recipe.
- Salt: add to taste. You can control the quantity you want in this recipe.
- Olive oil: helps the ingredients to stick to the chicken.
- Garlic: I use about three cloves of fresh garlic for more flavor
- Red pepper flakes and black pepper: add a spicy kick to the recipe. Feel free to reduce the quantity of pepper flakes if you don’t want it spicy.
- Lemon: adds a bit of tang to the chicken.
How to make Baked Chicken Thigh
- Preheat the oven to 400°F degrees.
- Prepare the ingredients: Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.
- Apply the ingredients: Place chicken thighs in a large bowl, apply all the mixed ingredients and use your hands to coat the chicken pieces evenly.
- Bake: lightly brush the 9×13 inch baking sheet with olive oil, transfer the seasoned chicken thighs to the pan and place the sliced lemons between the chicken thighs. Bake chicken thighs for 30 to 35 minutes or until they have an internal temperate of 165°F degrees and the skin is crispy.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the oven and cover with foil for 10 minutes before serving.
A perfect pairing
Baked chicken thighs are delicious with just about anything: Fries, mashed potatoes, Jollof rice, potatoes, and much more. Baked chicken is especially great with salads.
Notes
- My favorite way to keep chicken thighs juicy is to bake them with the skin-on. If you don’t like skin-on, you can apply the ingredients under the skin and remove the skin after baking. This way, the chicken will be juicy and retain a delicious taste.
- If you are using frozen chicken, allow it to thaw before you use it for this recipe.
- Allow chicken to rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving so it can retain the juice.
- Pat the thighs dry with a paper towel before you apply the ingredients.
- I used freshly mixed ingredients in this recipe. You can also use my chicken seasoning blend.
FAQs on Baked Chicken Thigh
How long does it take to bake chicken thighs?
The cooking time for chicken thighs depends on the size. The cooking time for a small thigh will be shorter than for a large one. Generally, the average time for a bone-in-thigh weighing 6 ounces is around 30-35 minutes at 400°F.
Can I use chicken breast for this recipe?
I don’t recommend chicken breast for this recipe because the breasts are larger, thicker, and drier than the thigh. Even though the seasoning can work, you can’t bake at the same temperature. If you have chicken breast, check my oven-baked chicken breast recipe and honey mustard chicken; they are yummy recipes you’ll enjoy.
Do I need to flip the chicken while baking?
You don’t need to flip chicken thighs while baking. Since it is baked uncovered, you’ll notice changes in the skin as it cooks.
How can I store and Reheat Leftover Chicken Thigh?
I keep the leftovers in an airtight container and store them in the fridge for 3 to 4 days. They can also stay up to four months in the freezer. Reheat the chicken in the oven at a medium temperature of 325°F. You can add a bit of water or broth to the pan, cover with foil and allow to warm thoroughly.
What are the signs that the chicken thighs are done?
The chicken is done as soon as the juices dripping from the chicken thighs start to clear and the flesh has stopped being pink. The most accurate way to know is to use a meat thermometer. If the thermometer reads 165°F, the chicken is done.
What should I serve with Baked Chicken Thigh?
Now that you know how to make a juicy baked chicken thigh, I must show you ways to enjoy it. This is a versatile recipe that you can pair with many side dishes. You’ll enjoy baked chicken thigh with the following:
- Salad: Tomato Mozzarella Salad, Classic Creamy Potato Salad, Classic Tomato Cucumber Salad
- Potatoes: Jacket Potatoes, Hot pot potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Oven Roasted Sweet Potatoes
- Rice: Mushroom rice, jollof rice, Coconut Fried Rice
More Easy Chicken Recipes
- Harissa Chicken Wings
- Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken
- Air-fryer Chicken Tenders
- Air Fryer frozen chicken Wings
- Cilantro Lime Chicken
- Jerk chicken wings
- Dry rub baked chicken wings
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Air fryer chicken drumsticks
- Crispy fried chicken drumsticks
- Easy baked chicken drumsticks
- Simple Homestyle Lemon Chicken Piccata
Juicy Baked Chicken Thigh
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt or add to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes or add to taste
- 1 lemon sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F degrees.
- Prepare the ingredients by mixing all the seasoning and spices in a large bowl.
- Place chicken thighs in a large bowl, add all the ingredients and use your hands to coat the chicken pieces.
- Transfer the seasoned chicken thighs to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake chicken thighs for 30 to 35 minutes or until they have an internal temperate of 165°F degrees and the skin is crispy.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the oven and cover with foil for 10 minutes before serving.
Notes
- My favorite way to keep chicken thighs juicy is to bake them with the skin-on. If you don’t like skin-on, you can apply the ingredients under the skin and remove the skin after baking. This way, the chicken will be juicy and retain a delicious taste.
- If you are using frozen chicken, allow it to thaw before you use it for this recipe.
- Allow chicken to rest for about 5-10 minutes before serving so it can retain the juice.
- Pat the thighs dry with a paper towel before you apply the ingredients.
- I used freshly mixed ingredients in this recipe. You can also use my chicken seasoning blend.
Nutrition
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