Description

This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe features juicy, flavorful chicken thighs seasoned with a savory garlic and herb paste, then baked to crispy perfection in a hot oven. The method of preheating the baking pan ensures a beautifully crisp skin while keeping the meat tender and succulent inside. A simple blend of olive oil, garlic, onion powder, paprika, and Italian seasonings creates a deliciously aromatic crust on these easy-to-make chicken thighs, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon dried parsley
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
2 pounds chicken thighs (6–8 pieces, patted dry)

Finishing

1 tablespoon butter (diced)

Instructions

Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet or a large rimmed pan with aluminum foil and place it inside the oven as it heats. This ensures the pan will be hot when placing the chicken on it, aiding in crisping the skin.
Seasoning: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil with garlic powder, onion powder, ground paprika, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until a thick paste forms that will evenly coat the chicken.
Season chicken: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the seasoning paste. If necessary, work in batches to avoid overcrowding. Toss each piece thoroughly to coat all sides with the seasoning. Remove each thigh individually and rub the seasoning paste into the skin for maximum flavor.
Bake: Carefully take the heated pan out of the oven (it will be hot), and place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side up on the pan. Dot the tops with pieces of diced butter. Bake in the hot oven for 20 minutes.
Baste and continue baking: After 20 minutes, remove the pan from the oven and baste the chicken with the juices that have collected in the pan. Return the pan to the oven and bake for an additional 10 minutes. Baste once again with the pan juices.
Finish baking: Continue baking for an additional 5 to 15 minutes, checking the internal temperature. The chicken thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). The total bake time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry helps achieve crispy skin.
Using a hot baking pan ensures a crispier skin and helps seal in juices.
Basting the chicken a few times during baking keeps it moist and flavorful.
Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked safely and not overdone.
Feel free to swap butter with ghee or olive oil for a dairy-free option.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: oven baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, garlic herb chicken, easy baked chicken, weeknight dinner chicken