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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
Who doesn’t love a recipe that’s almost too easy to share? With just four ingredients (yes, that includes the chicken!), this dish is so simple it’s practically foolproof. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or stepping into the kitchen for the first time, you’ll have a delicious meal prepped and in the oven in no time. Ready to impress with minimal effort? Let’s get cooking!
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
Chicken thighs are a dinner favorite, and they’re super easy to bake! At 425°F, they’re usually ready in 30-45 minutes, but since sizes can vary, a meat thermometer is your best friend in the kitchen. For perfectly cooked, juicy chicken, aim for an internal temperature of 165°F. Delicious and safe every time!
For Crispy Skin on Roasted Chicken Thighs
For irresistibly crispy chicken skin, brush the thighs with olive oil and pop them into the oven on a shallow baking pan. Be sure to space them about two inches apart—crowding the pan will trap steam, leaving you with soggy skin instead of that perfect golden crunch!
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.
Roast at 425°F until the internal temperature hits that perfect 165°F. For smaller thighs, start checking around the 30-minute mark, but for those bigger, juicier ones, give them 45–50 minutes to reach golden perfection!
Give the chicken a quick 5-minute rest before serving—it’s the secret to keeping it perfectly juicy and delicious! 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.
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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 Roast at 425°F until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Start checking at 30 minutes for small thighs, and allow up to 45–50 minutes for larger ones.
- Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to keep it juicy.
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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