How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

Wondering how to make the crispiest baked chicken thighs of all time? You've come to the right place. This simple recipe, which calls for just a few ingredients you probably already have on hand, will quickly become a mainstay in your dinner rotation.

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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients

Here's what you'll need to make this recipe for crispy baked chicken thighs:

Chicken Thighs
Opt for skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs for the crispiest and most flavorful results.

Seasonings
These baked chicken thighs are simply seasoned with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. You can add spices and seasonings to taste (try cayenne pepper to turn up the heat or paprika for smokiness).

How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs In the Oven

cyndi

It truly couldn't be easier to bake crispy chicken thighs. You'll find the full, step-by-step recipe below — but here's a brief overview of what you can expect when you make this top-rated recipe:

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel, then gently lift the skin and season to taste. Replace the skin and set the chicken on a wire rack in a broiler pan or on a baking sheet. Bake in an oven preheated to 475 degrees F until the skin is golden. Reduce the heat to 400 degrees F and continue cooking until the juices run clear.

A digital thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh should read 165 degrees F.

What to Serve With Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

These simple baked chicken thighs will work well with any of your favorite side dishes, from French fries or macaroni and cheese to roasted veggies or a side salad. For delicious inspiration, explore our collection of 30 Best Side Dishes for Chicken, No Matter How You Cook It.

How to Store Baked Chicken Thighs

Store the baked chicken thighs in a shallow airtight container or wrapped in foil in the fridge for up to four days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven.

Allrecipes Community Tips and Praise

"Hallelujah," raves Leah Ann McCarthy Burch. "I love this chicken recipe! I can now have crispy-skinned chicken from the oven! This is a big hit with the family: More nutritious than pan-fried and inexpensive as well."

"This was amazing," according to Paulyshel. "Can't believe how great it was with only those simple spices. I used chicken breasts (bone-in, skin on) because I accidentally thawed the wrong type of chicken. It was still great — and juicy, which in my opinion, chicken rarely is."

"A staple in my house," says Sully. "The best way to make chicken! Easy and tasty. I play around a little with the spices — sometimes rosemary, sometimes oregano or smoked paprika."

Editorial contributions by Corey Williams

Baked Chicken Thighs are a delicious and very simple main dish. These chicken thighs have a perfectly crispy skin and extra juicy meat! They are perfect served alongside mashed potatoes or Scalloped Potatoes. 

Cook up a large batch to feed a hungry crowd, add to your favorite Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup or freeze the leftovers for another meal. Oven baked chicken thighs can stay frozen for up to four months. Just thaw and then wrap in foil for reheating.

How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

Chicken thighs are sold with bone in and skin on, or boneless and skinless. They are dark meat making them extra flavorful, they contain more fat which ensures they bake up succulent and tasty. Thighs are more forgiving than Chicken Breasts which can more easily be overcooked.

In this recipe, I choose skin on (because it tastes amazing and makes the chicken extremely juicy). As with any meat cooked on the bone, this has tons of flavor. I love using chicken seasoning or Italian seasoning in this recipe, but feel free to change it up to suit your taste buds!

For chicken seasoning I either create my own mixture (like the one I sprinkle on my Roast Chicken) or purchase a favorite chicken rub mixture.

How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

How to Bake Chicken Thighs

For the juiciest oven baked chicken thighs, choose bone in and skin on. The skin crisps up nicely, and the bone imparts more flavor while keeping the meat moist. A high temperature helps crisp the skin (my favorite part).

For easy baked bone in chicken thighs, follow these simple steps:

  1. Pat each thigh dry with paper towels.
  2. Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and toss with olive oil and a generous amount of seasonings.
  3. Line a pan with foil and add a rack. Place chicken (skin side up) on the rack.
  4. Bake until chicken reaches 165°F.

How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs

Baked bone in chicken thighs require about 35 minutes baking time at a high temperature. Bake them until the juices run clear, and there is no more pink at the bone. Keep in mind that boneless skinless chicken thighs will require about 10 minutes less time.

  • Chicken Thighs at 350°F – 50-55 minutes
  • Chicken Thighs at 375°F – 45-50 minutes
  • Chicken Thighs at 400°F – 40-45 minutes
  • Chicken Thighs at 425°F – 35-40 minutes

Chicken thighs may vary in size so it’s a good idea to use a meat thermometer any time you are cooking poultry. The safe cooking temperature for chicken is 165°F.

How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

More Recipes You’ll Love

  • How to Make Poached Chicken – great for shredding or salads! 
  • Oven Baked Chicken Breasts – simple and healthy
  • Crockpot Shredded Chicken
  • How to Boil Chicken
  • Easy Grilled Chicken Breast – super easy

How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

4.99 from 377 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
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Baked Chicken Thighs

Baked chicken thighs make a delicious and simple main dish. The thighs have so much tender dark meat flavor! 

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes

Total Time 45 minutes

  • 6 bone-in chicken thighs with skin (approx. 5-6 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2-3 teaspoons chicken seasoning or Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper to taste

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a pan with foil and place a baking rack on top.

  • Dab chicken skin dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture.

  • Drizzle chicken with olive oil and season with seasoning, salt and pepper.

  • Place on the rack and bake 35-40 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F.

  • Broil 2-3 minutes to crisp if needed.

4.99 from 377 votes↑ Click stars to rate now!
Or to leave a comment, click here!

Calories: 358 | Protein: 23g | Fat: 28g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 141mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 296mg | Vitamin A: 120IU | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 1.1mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.

Course Chicken, Dinner, Entree

© SpendWithPennies.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited. Please view my photo use policy here.

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About the author

Holly is a wine and cheese lover, recipe creator, shopping enthusiast and self appointed foodie. Her greatest passion is creating in the kitchen and making deliciously comforting recipes for the everyday home cook!
See more posts by Holly

How long and what temperature to bake chicken thighs

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latest & greatest

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400?

The higher the temperature when baking chicken thighs creates that golden brown outer skin that protects the dark meat from over cooking and tenderizes the inside making it even more flavorful and tender. I like to bake chicken thighs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes long.

What temperature should chicken thighs be cooked?

You'll know the chicken thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. For the most accurate temperature reading, insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, taking care to avoid touching the bone for bone-in chicken thighs (this leads to an inaccurate reading).

How long do chicken thighs take to bake at 350?

How Long To Bake Boneless Chicken Thighs At 350? Boneless Chicken Thighs take around 35-40 minutes to thoroughly bake in a 350-degree preheated oven.

How long should I put chicken thighs in the oven?

Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up in the pan. Bake at 400° F for 30 to 40 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165° F.