Oven Baked Chicken Thighs | The Modern Proper (2024)

February 29, 2024

The perfect blend of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt and fresh cracked pepper brightens up plain old chicken thighs and adds wow-worthy flavor to this recipe!

Photography by Gayle McLeod

Juicy, Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Sometimes chicken for dinner might sound boring but we promise, our recipe for crispy oven baked chicken thighs is anything but! Our bone-in, skin-on thighs cooked in the oven are full of flavor with tender, dark meat. Chicken thighs have a bit more fat than chicken breast, which helps to create a flavorful, juicy interior. You won’t have to worry about your chicken drying out in the oven, especially because we’ve kept the skin on. This helps the chicken to stay moist inside but allows for the exterior to become deliciously crispy. Similarly, our Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs offer great texture. We guarantee you the perfect bite when all is said and done!

Want Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs?

The best oven baked chicken thighs start with seasoning! A blend of garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, salt and fresh cracked pepper brightens up plain old chicken thighs and adds wow-worthy flavor. But I know you are wondering– should you cover chicken thighs when they are baking? The simple answer is, no. We don’t cover our skin-on chicken thighs because we want that skin to get nice and crispy! To achieve this just follow these 4 simple steps!

1. Place your chicken on top of a metal rack set inside a large rimmed baking sheet. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and use kitchen shears to trim off any excess fat.

2. Drizzle the chicken with olive oil and sprinkle your seasoning mix over the chicken. Don’t be afraid to get your hands a little dirty and rub it in!

3. Turn the oven temperature down and bake until the internal temperature reaches 165°F. How long to cook chicken thighs in oven you ask? This takes about 30 minutes.

4. Dig in and admire the crisp chicken skin and tender, juicy meat.

Are Quick Baked Chicken Thighs Healthy?

In general, chicken is a great alternative to red meat, especially if you are looking to lower your intake of saturated fats. Chicken thighs are a good source of protein and we especially love that they contain immune boosting nutrients such as iron and zinc. Our chicken thighs are baked in the oven, for a slightly healthier cooking method. We’ve also featured simple ingredients like olive oil and spices, instead of breading our chicken thighs or cooking them in highly refined oils or butter. If you’re looking to pair our oven baked chicken thighs with a veggie packed side dish, try one of these:

• Simple Italian Salad

• Perfectly Roasted Broccoli

• Pesto Green Beans

• Moroccan Beet Salad

Can I Refrigerate Leftovers? Of Course!

We are always in favor of some scrumptious leftovers! Cooking one recipe and serving it for two meals? Count us in! If you have a few leftover oven baked bone-in chicken thighs, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. When ready to serve, don’t miss out on that deliciously crisp skin. Heat your chicken through in the microwave or oven and then place your bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs on a sheet pan, if you haven’t already. Set your oven broiler to high and broil for 2 to 3 minutes (but watch carefully), until the chicken skin crisps up. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over your baked chicken thighs, and meal two is ready to serve!

Tools You’ll Need

• Sheet pan

• Metal cooling rack

• Kitchen shears

• Instant-read meat thermometer

Chicken Thigh Obsessed? We Are Too!

We love chicken thighs for three reasons: 1) They are super flavorful and succulent 2) They don’t break the bank and are a budget friendly protein option 3) Best of all, they are forgiving, so you don’t have to worry about overcooking them! Check out our best oven baked chicken thigh recipes!

• Sheet Pan Olive Bar Chicken

• Baked BBQ Chicken Thighs

• Baked Chicken Thighs With Asparagus

• Mango Chutney Chicken Sheet Pan

Well, What Do You Think?

We want to know! Did you pair your chicken thighs with a delicious side or bring them to a potluck? Snap a quick picture or record a short video of your baked chicken thighs in the oven! Tag us on Instagram using @themodernproper and #themodernproper. Happy eating, friends!