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This recipe for Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs is so deliciously simple you’ll add it to your regular rotation.
For a simple dinner, serve this delicious recipe with Roasted Potatoes, Rice Pilaf, or Mushroom Rice, as well as an easy vegetable like Roasted Brussels Sprouts.
A Chicken Thigh Recipe Anyone Can Make
Don’t you just love a simple recipe? This recipe requires four ingredients INCLUDING the chicken! It’s so easy, I almost didn’t post it! But every cook has to start somewhere and with this recipe, even the newest of cooks can have a delicious meal in the oven in minutes!
Why This Recipe Works
- Coating the chicken skin in olive oil results in crispy, golden thighs.
- Seasoning simply with just salt and pepper allows the chicken to be the star of the show.
- The easy recipe makes it a dish that can be made by cooks at all skill levels.
Chicken Thighs vs Chicken Breasts
Chicken thighs are my preferred cut of chicken to cook with. Unlike chicken breast, the meat is rich in flavor and always comes out juicy and delicious.
Chicken breast is mild in flavor and is much harder to cook with as it becomes dry and chewy even when slightly overcooked. Chicken thighs are really difficult to mess up, and they are much cheaper to buy than the breast.
The Difference between Roasted Chicken and Baked
The easy answer is – nothing. Roasted chicken is chicken that’s simply baked in the oven.
How Long To Bake Chicken Thighs
Most chicken thighs bake at 425°F for 40-45 minutes, but as they vary in size, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer when cooking poultry. A safe cooking temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
For Crispy Skin on Roasted Chicken Thighs
For the crispiest skin, coat with olive oil and roast or oven-bake the chicken thighs on a shallow baking pan about two inches apart. Overcrowding the pan will cause the chicken to steam rather than roast, resulting in soggy skin.
How to Make Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Start by placing the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with nonstick foil.
Brush with olive oil.
Sprinkle with salt and fresh ground pepper.
Bake at 400°F for 40-45 minutes, but as chicken thighs vary in size, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer. A safe cooking temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
It’s that simple! Serve and enjoy!
Erren’s Top Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan will result in steaming the chicken instead of roasting resulting in soggy skin.
- Don’t cover the chicken with foil. Covering the pan with foil will also produce steam that will soften the skin instead of crisping it.
- Use a meat thermometer as chicken thighs vary in size, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer. A safe cooking temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
FAQs
Should I use bone-in or boneless skinless chicken thighs?
For roasting or baking chicken, you should use bone-in thighs with the skin on. This produces the most flavorful, moist chicken.
How long does it take to bake chicken thighs at 425?
Most chicken thighs bake at 425°F for 35-40 minutes, but as they vary in size, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer when cooking poultry. A safe cooking temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
Rate This Recipe
Recipe
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken thighs
- 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
- Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
Instructions
- Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with non-stick foil (about 2 inches apart).
- Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and fresh ground pepper and bake at 425°F for 35-40 minutes, but as chicken thighs vary in size, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer. A safe cooking temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
- Serve hot.
Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan. Overcrowding the pan will result in steaming the chicken instead of roasting resulting in soggy skin.
- Don’t cover the chicken with foil. Covering the pan with foil will also produce steam that will soften the skin instead of crisping it.
- Use a meat thermometer as chicken thighs vary in size, it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer. A safe cooking temperature for cooked chicken is 165°F.
Save to favoritesYour saved recipes will be right here waiting for you every time you visit, so you can easily find and make the meals you love.Update Notes: This post was originally published in April of 2019, but was republished with a video and FAQs in October of 2019.
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