Baked chicken thighs are incredibly easy to make and perfect for the whole family. With minimal effort, they roast to golden, crispy perfection in the oven, giving you time to relax while dinner practically makes itself. Marinated with a spice mix, these juicy, flavorful chicken thighs are guaranteed to become a weeknight favorite, simple, satisfying, and sure to disappear off the plate!
Some nights, I’m just too tired to cook a complicated dinner. You know the feeling of a long day, low energy, and no motivation to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s when I turn to my favorite quick fix, bone-in, and skin-on baked chicken thighs. They’re my go-to for a lazy evening because they’re so easy to make, and my family absolutely loves them. The plates are always cleared, no complaints, just happy faces.
Preparation takes only five minutes. I marinate the chicken, let it rest for 30 minutes, pop it in the oven, and let it do all the work. While they bake, the house fills with the most amazing smell, and I get to relax or catch up on something else. Sometimes I’ll marinate the chicken the day before to add more flavor. But honestly, they’re delicious even without that step.
Whether you use bone-in or boneless thighs, the chicken turns out juicy, tender, and packed with flavor every single time. And it’s super budget-friendly, which is always a bonus.
If you’ve ever wished for a dinner that feels effortless but still tastes incredible, this baked chicken thighs recipe is it. Just season, bake, and serve. It’s so easy, it feels like cheating, but no one at the table will guess how little effort it took!
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⭐Why You'll Love This Baked Chicken Thighs
- Quick and Easy: This recipe comes together fast with simple ingredients, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
- Adjust to Your Taste: Customize the seasoning to your liking, add more spice for a kick, or keep it mild for the kids.
- A Healthier Choice: Oven-baking with olive oil keeps it lighter than frying, without sacrificing flavor.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a family dinner, meal prep, or hosting friends, this dish fits the bill. Pair it with sides like mashed potatoes or a fresh salad!
🧾Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients
Here’s what you need to make these baked chicken thighs:
- Chicken Thighs: I love using bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe because they’re tender, juicy, and full of flavor. The fat in the thighs keeps them moist and helps lock in all the seasonings. You can also use boneless, skinless thighs if you prefer, just keep in mind the cook time will be shorter.
- Seasoning: I use a mix of salt, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, and Cajun seasoning. Salt brings out the savory flavors, while garlic powder adds a mild, sweet depth. Black pepper gives it a subtle heat and balance, and paprika adds a nice color and a hint of smokiness or sweetness. The Cajun seasoning gives it a little kick and a southern flair!
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I also use extra virgin olive oil to coat the chicken. It helps keep the meat moist and helps the skin get nice and crispy. Plus, it adds a light, fruity flavor that pairs perfectly with the spices, and it’s a heart-healthy option!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Dry the chicken thighs with paper towels for crispy skin if they're skin-on. Put the chicken thighs in a big bowl.
3. Season the chicken thighs with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and olive oil. Rub well to coat and marinate for 30 minutes.
4. Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a baking dish, spacing them apart for even cooking.
5. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 30-35 minutes, then broil for 2-3 minutes for crispier skin. Take the chicken out of the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes to keep it juicy.
🍽What to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs
This recipe is perfect for an easy dinner any time of the week. I love serving my baked chicken thighs hot with ciabatta for soaking up all that tasty sauce.
For sides, I usually choose potato wedges, marinated tomatoes, Caesar salad, and French bean casserole.
To drink, I like lemonade, and for dessert, nothing beats a sweet lemon mousse to finish off the meal.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Pat the Chicken Dry: Before seasoning, gently pat the chicken thighs with paper towels to remove any extra moisture. This helps the skin get nice and crispy if you’re using skin-on thighs.
Customize the Seasonings: Feel free to tweak the seasonings to your taste. Want more heat? Add extra Cajun seasoning or a pinch of cayenne pepper. Fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary are a nice touch too.
Let it Marinate: For the best flavor, let the chicken sit with the seasoning for at least 30 minutes, or up to 24 hours in the fridge. The longer it marinates, the more flavorful it gets.
Check for Crispiness: If the skin isn’t as crispy as you want, broil it for another minute or two. Just keep an eye on it so it doesn’t burn.
Leftovers Are Awesome: Leftover chicken thighs are perfect for meal prep! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat them in the oven or stovetop to keep the skin crispy.
🍗More Chicken Recipes to Try!
If you're loving this baked chicken thighs, you'll also adore these tasty chicken recipes:
- Lemon Pepper Fried Chicken Bites
- Greek Lemon Chicken Soup
- Garlic Parmesan Chicken Pasta
- Fried Chicken Breast
- Easy Skillet Chicken Thighs
- Butter Chicken
🍛More Dinner Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite dinner recipes! Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 Chicken Thighs
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black Pepper
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 teaspoon Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning
- 2 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin (if using skin-on thighs).
- Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl.
- Season the chicken thighs with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, paprika, Cajun seasoning, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Rub the mixture evenly over the chicken to coat it well. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
- Place the seasoned chicken thighs on a baking dish. Make sure they are spaced apart for even cooking.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for 30-35 minutes. For extra crispy skin, broil on high for 2-3 minutes at the end.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to be distributed, keeping the meat juicy.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
This is the best baked chicken thigh recipe I've ever tried. The herbs and spices were a perfect combination and the cooking time was spot on. I'll be making this again and again.