Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

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These crispy and juicy baked chicken thighs make for the perfect weeknight meal. They’re incredibly easy to make, packed with flavor, have the crispiest skin, and are much healthier than traditional fried chicken. So much to love!

Crispy baked chicken thighs on a plate.
Photo: Gayle McLeod

As a kid I loved KFC chicken, but my favorite part was the crispy skin that was full of herbs and flavor. In fact, I may have eaten the skin more than the meat!

Today, I no longer eat KFC (for obvious reasons) but I still love tender, juicy chicken with crispy, flavorful skin. And that’s where my baked chicken thighs come in. With a drizzle of oil and a generous amount of dried herbs you can create crispy baked chicken that the whole family will love. And you can feel good knowing it’s healthier.

So if you love the crispy, golden skin on my roast chicken, and the spiced flavor of my baked chicken breasts, you’re going to really love these baked chicken thighs!

Ingredients for baked chicken thighs.

Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients

  • Chicken Thighs: Grab yourself a package of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. And while yes, you can use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe, I do feel that the skin locks in the moisture and bone-in chicken just tastes better. It’s also cheaper!
  • Chicken seasoning: A simple blend of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper gives the chicken so much flavor. 

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

How to Bake Chicken Thighs

Make the seasoning. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and remove the chicken thighs from the fridge, allowing them to come to room temperature. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry and remove any condensation. Then, in a small bowl, mix all of the herbs and spices together. 

Mixing seasoning in a bowl.

Season the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and two thirds of the spice blend, and use your hands to coat all sides of the chicken, including under the skin.

Adding seasoning to chicken thighs.

Prep the chicken for baking. Place the chicken thighs on a rack on top of a baking sheet. Then, sprinkle the remaining spice mix on top of the chicken. Feel free to gently pat down the seasoning so it sticks to each chicken thigh. 

Chicken thighs on a baking sheet.

Bake the chicken. These will cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F. To make the skin extra crispy, you can also turn on the top broiler for 2 to 3 minutes. Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

What to serve these with? If you’re looking for a few tasty side dishes, try my mashed potatoes (or mashed sweet potatoes), roasted Brussels sprouts, garlic sauteed spinach, steamed broccoli, or green beans with shallots and lemon. Lots of options!

Crispy baked chicken thighs on a baking sheet.

Common Questions

Do I really need to use a rack?

I think it’s best. The rack allows the air to circulate around the chicken, making it crispier. If you don’t have a rack, use a larger baking sheet with space between the chicken so that any juices spread out from the chicken.

Can I swap in different herbs and spices?

Absolutely! The key to this recipe is using lots of herbs and spices (just under one teaspoon of herbs and spices per chicken thigh). But, if you’d like to switch up the flavor profile, by all means, have fun with it.

How do I prevent dry chicken thighs?

The good news is that it’s really hard to overcook chicken thighs. The darker meat just stays juicer. And in fact, you want to cook chicken thighs about 5 to 10 degrees higher than chicken breasts, as this allows the connective tissue to breakdown more, resulting in the most tender meat.

A baked chicken thigh on a plate.

Storage Tips

  • To store: Leftover chicken thighs will stay good in the fridge for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. 
  • To reheat: To enjoy crispy skin again, you can bake them in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until warmed through. If you have an air fryer, you can also reheat them at 350°F for about 3 to 4 minutes.

More Chicken Thigh Recipes

Are you a chicken thigh lover like me? Get inspired by these reader favorite chicken thigh recipes.

I hope you love these crispy baked chicken thighs! If you make them, I’d love to hear how they turned out in the comment box below. Your review will help other readers in the community.  

Baked chicken thighs on a sheet pan.

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

4.94 from 210 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Baked chicken thighs are crispy, juicy, flavorful, healthy and make for the perfect weeknight dinner idea. Watch the video below to see how I make them in my kitchen!

Video

Equipment

Ingredients 
 

Instructions 

  • Make the seasoning. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Remove the chicken thighs from the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature. Pat dry with a paper towel to remove any moisture. Then, In a small bowl, mix all of the herbs and spices together. 
    A bowl of chicken seasoning.
  • Season the chicken. Place the chicken in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and ⅔ of the spice blend. Use your hands to coat all sides of the chicken, and even get it under the skin.
    Seasoning chicken with hands.
  • Arrange the chicken. Place the chicken on a rack on top of a baking sheet. Sprinkle the remaining spice mix on top of the chicken.
    A sheet pan of chicken thighs.
  • Bake the chicken thighs for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F. You can also turn on the top broiler for 2 to 3 minutes to make the top extra crispy. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
    Crispy baked chicken thighs on a sheet pan.

Nutrition

Serving: 1chicken thigh | Calories: 285kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 110mg | Sodium: 379mg | Potassium: 256mg | Vitamin A: 300IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 16mg | Iron: 1.1mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Keyword: baked chicken, baked chicken thighs, chicken thigh recipes
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted February 2019, but updated to include new information and photos for your benefit!

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About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.94 from 210 votes (16 ratings without comment)

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456 Comments

  1. It comes out perfect each time. My wife loves this chicken. Thanks for the recipe!

    All the best and be well.

    Randy
    Phoenix, AZ5 stars

      1. Very good but check the chicken at 25 minutes if using convection oven.5 stars

  2. I made this recipe tonight and it was very tasty. Perfect blend of spices. I used 1/2 smoked paprika and 1/2 regular. Thanks for the great recipe.5 stars

  3. Okay, this is probably my all time favorite chicken recipe. Always a crowd pleaser and makes for an easy meal! I usually make this once a week, and I typically serve it with roasted veggies for an easy hands-off dinner all made in the oven.

    My tip: If you are only making a few thighs, keep the pre-made spice mixture in a jar, tupperware, etc. and use it the next time you make them! And trust me, there will be a next time.5 stars

  4. Hi Lisa! Thank you so much for this recipe. My husband and I are OBSESSED! I’ve made this at least weekly since December and it is a staple in our house now! Quick question: what are your thoughts on using organic vs non-organic chicken. The price (and size) difference is so severe I need to ask. Please give me your thoughts on this. Thanks again! 5 stars

    1. Hi Rachel – I’m thrilled you and your husband love this recipe and have it on the regular. Woot! As for organic, I personally only buy organic chicken. It is more costly, but I feel better knowing what’s going (or not going) into my body. :)

  5. I just found this recipe via Pinterest and absolutely LOVED IT!!! Although I will not broil them next time as I burnt the tops but they were still very tastey. I think the combo of spices works very well here. Thank you so much for this recipe.5 stars

  6. Made this for the first time tonight and it was an absolute smashing hit. Thank you Lisa for a new recipe for weeknights that make everyone happy. Next time will pop in some chilli powder too!5 stars

    1. Hi Carly – Wonderful! This is definitely a go-to chicken recipe for a delicious and easy weeknight meal.

    1. Thanks so much Kei! And that skin is super tasty isn’t it? I usually save that part for last. Ha! I’m happy you loved it!

  7. Loved this recipe! It was so easy and so delicious. My husband asked for seconds immediately after the first bite. I did one substitution: no onion powder in my pantry so I used nutritional yeast and it worked nicely. Thanks for a lovely quick dinner that i can whip up anytime!5 stars

    1. Hi Jennifer – This recipe is always a win with men :) I’m glad both of you enjoyed these chicken thighs for an easy dinner!

  8. Hi Lisa – I’m Patricia! I love it that you confessed eating and even liking KFC as a kid. I did too and I try not to eat it any more but once in a while I sneak in a snack pack. Today I’m reaching back to my roots, my family is from Ukraine and I’m making a layered casserole dish. A layer of sauerkraut, with partially boiled potatoes nestled into the sauerkraut and then usually chicken legs on top all roasted in the oven together. Today i’m just using thighs and I just put together your spice mixture for chicken thighs. I know the chicken thighs aren’t going to turn out as crispy in your recipe but I’m looking forward to the flavours melting into the sauerkraut – it will be a nice little twist to your recipe and mine. Thanks for all your efforts for putting together very beautiful videos. I enjoy them a lot. Take good care of yourself. Patricia5 stars

    1. Hi Patricia- We all had our moments of eating junk food in our lifetime! But, I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe, especially the seasoning. Sounds great paired with the sauerkraut. Hope you and your family are staying safe and healthy as well :)

  9. Perfect every single time! Once in the oven allow the opportunity to work on other dishes to allow for great timing to complete an all around dinner.  Love to meal prep these and freeze as well.  I don’t have the baking rack but they still come out great! if you want to add extra crispy skin you can cook on cast iron for a few minutes skin side then pop in oven.  It’s a great simple dish and most or all ingredients are a kitchen staple so it really makes a nice weekday dish or weekend.  Lisa does it again!5 stars

    1. Hi Travis – These are definitely great to cook up and keep on hand in the fridge or freezer as meal prep. Glad you enjoyed them even without the baking rack :)

  10. Awesome chicken came out very juicy, I cooked it for the full 40 minutes and it was perfect! I like a little spice so I added .5 tsp of cayenne pepper to the spices and it was perfect5 stars

    1. Hi Mark – Yes, a rack is definitely needed if you want to get that ultimate crunchiness! Thrilled to hear it was a winner with your kids :)

  11. The chicken recipe was a HUGE hit!!  Much better than KFC.   The fam loved it as well.  I am new to your site and I absolutely love it.  Thank you!!5 stars

    1. Hi Shelley – Definitely much healthier than your KFC chicken! And I’m thrilled to hear you’re loving all the recipes and content on Downshiftology so far :)

  12. Oh my goodness! I love chicken thighs but have never found a recipe that doesn’t end in soggy mushy thighs!  I had given up, but knew I had to try yours after seeing the video.  These blew me away.  Super simple and SO delicious.  Only change I made was that I used 4 thighs instead of 8 and saved half the spice for next time I make them.  Thanks for the tips! The rack really makes a difference as does rubbing under the skin!  Your recipes are great!5 stars

    1. Hi Anna – Wonderful! Happy to hear you loved this recipe along with the seasoning mixture. It really does make all the difference when it comes to taste!

  13. Hi Lisa, I have made this twice now, a week ago I only had skinless and boneless Chicken Thighs and they tasted great with your Herb mixture, I served them with Coleslaw.

    Tonight I made them again and used what we call Chicken Cutlets in Australia, that is Chicken Thighs with skin and bone, they tasted even better with the crispy skin, I served them with Steamed Broccoli, Cauliflower and Butternut Pumpkin (Squash) this time. Met with approval from the other half too, he said it was yummy and filling.

    Will definitely be cooking them regularly from now on :-)5 stars

    1. Hi Priscilla – Looks like you found a winning chicken recipe! Plus I’m loving all the sides you’re making with the chicken. Sounds delicious :)

  14. Tried this recipe three times, the first I did it with super expensive organic chicken bought in a bougie neighborhood of Paris, LOVED IT tried to replicate it with lower quality chicken and it doesnt work as well. With the organic chicken I had crispy skin and soft interiors vs the other chickens just gave me an average soggy texture. So just so you know, the quality of the chicken matters, and its delicious!5 stars

  15. p.s. I was just reading through the other comments and we didn’t have any splattering issues. Our oven was set on the non-convection bake setting. Also, we have the most ridiculous IKEA oven and you can only adjust the temperature by certain increments. We had to use either 5 degrees higher than your recipe or 10 degrees lower 😂 We chose 5 degrees higher and there wasn’t any smoke or splatter.5 stars

  16. Best oven baked chicken ever!!!!!! I made this to go with your Broccoli Salad. We still have two pieces of chicken left (I just finished off the salad for lunch today), so I’m thinking Fajitas with the remaining chicken? Or I could make another batch of No Bake cookies and we could eat those for dinner 😂 Actually, I should probably try your chocolate cupcake recipe 😋 Can you tell I’m hungry. I better get to the kitchen!! Thank you for another great recipe!!!!5 stars

    1. Hi Sasha – Woo! Looks like a winning combination :) Definitely try the chocolate cupcake recipe. You’ll love it!

    1. Hi Sharon – I’m glad you love the recipe! Most in the community prefer (and have requested) more of the longer step-by-step YouTube tutorial videos. So that’s the video style I now prioritize. :)

  17. Tried Lisa’s crispy chicken thigh last night and it was the most delicious chicken thighs we’ve had! Even my hubby who usually doesn’t like chicken skin loved it! The skin was so crispy and the meat was so juicy! It’s such an easy recipe. Will definitely do it again!5 stars

  18. I made this last week and it was a hit. I only have chicken breast this week. How much would you alter the temperature or time as I know breasts are typically dryer than thighs?5 stars

    1. Hi Annette- If you are using chicken breasts, I might recommend baking at 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and for about 15-20 minutes.

  19. I found your website while searching for baby bok choy recipes but stayed around and found the green beans with shallots and lemon and crispy baked chicken recipes. Yum!!! The chicken recipe I know is quite tasty even though I’ve not made it as I prepare thighs in a similar fashion using a creole seasoning recipe I found online at gumbopages.. Nice to see yours though as it gave me a specific temp and cook time.

    I think I will stick around s I like the way your site is presented and your recipes are easy for me to tweak to reduce sodium and most importantly you use whole food like I do.

    Now I have more exploring to do. :)5 stars

    1. Hi Jonni – I’m so happy you stumbled upon Downshiftology and are loving all the recipes so far! Can’t wait to see what you whip up next.

  20. Had this recipe bookmarked from a while ago and decided to try tonight. I did not have any thyme so I substituted 2 tsp of Italian seasoning for the thyme and oregano.. It turned out great. Definitely gonna do this again. Thank you Lisa.5 stars

  21. Loved this! But I too had issues with grease. Should the convection bake setting not be used with this recipe? Could it be the fan blowing the grease around inside the oven? Just wondering your thoughts? Do you use a standard bake setting or convection?5 stars

      1. Well that explains it! Thank you! I will be making this again without the fan!😉 It was really good!

  22. This is a very tasty recipe!! Thank you for sharing! It is very easy too. 

    I saw a few questions about oil splattering which I had too. I turned the oven down in the last bit to 375 and it stopped. And it still tasted great! Also, I definitely wished that I had lined the pan with foil so that it made clean up easier. The pan did clean off ok, but I think overall it would save a good scrubbing and made me less concerned. 😉 Delicious recipe!! Definitely repeatable! 5 stars

    1. Hi Alayna – Each oven heats up differently, some more than others. So I’m glad the oil stopped splattering when you turned down the temperature a bit :)

  23. Love this recipe! It is a regular in our household. The rub gives the chicken so much flavour.
    If I have leftovers which is rare, I cut it up and put on my salad for lunch the next day. So easy to make too! Thanks Lisa!5 stars

    1. Hi Dawn – So glad you and your family love this recipe! It really is such a great one to have on hand, especially for using leftovers in other meals :)

  24. These chicken thighs are AH-MAZING! The skin comes out so crispy and the chicken itself is so juicy and flavorful. I must also add that I’m usually not a huge fan of chicken thighs, but I’ll be making this one again and again! Thanks Lisa! 5 stars

  25. I am making this right now!!! I love how easy and accessible the ingredients are since I am from the Philippines. :D5 stars

  26. Lisa, I am a huge fan of your recipes. I am one to never leave comments but since I have heard you say you would like comments, I will. First off, these crispy baked chicken thighs, are soooooo good! It has become a staple in my home. My adult kids love them too and make them at their homes. Downshiftology is frequented by me as sooooo many recipes are absolutely delicious. I love all the additional information you supply as well. So helpful. But I love the simplicity in which you are. You are so authentic and genuine, your recipes are simple and not complicated, yet delicious. Perfect. I love your mom in their too! Thanks for doing what you do!5 stars

    1. Hi Beth – Wow, you are so sweet! I’m happy to hear you and your family are loving all my recipes. I always try to include as much information as I can so that every time you cook or bake, it turns out perfectly :) I hope you continue to enjoy all my recipes and lifestyle tips into the new year and learn some new things along the way.

  27. My oven now requires complete cleaning–thankful ( I guess) for self cleaning oven!!! We DID enjoy the chicken but won’t be using it again as the mess is just too much!!!5 stars

    1. Hi Darlene – I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe, but I’m surprised on the oil mess! I’ve made this numerous times and have had no such problem, so I’m wondering if you are using a conventional oven?

  28. Tastes amazing but makes a god awful splattery mess in the oven. Followed directions exactly as described and my oven is completely splattered with avocado oil. I would pan sear the chicken on both sides first next time so the juices from the chicken don’t hit the oil drops in the bottom of the pan as much hopefully.

    1. Hi Mike – I’m so glad you found this recipe great! But in terms of the oil splatter, I am wondering if you are baking with a regular oven or convection oven? Tons of my followers and myself have made this recipe numerous times, with no problems when it comes to oil. It is normal for it to splatter a little, such as baking bacon in the oven, but other than that it shouldn’t go beyond that. Let me know as I would love to get to the bottom of this!

  29. This looks so good and delicious. Gonna try this one later. Thank for sharing the recipe.5 stars

    1. Hi Marie – So glad you found this recipe easy and delicious! It’s definitely one to keep on hand whenever you’re craving some juicy and crispy chicken ;)

  30. This, like all of Lisa’s recipes I’ve tried, was just perfect! So simple and easy to do but turned out better than any other baked chicken I’ve made. It received the highest marks from my husband (he asked why I didn’t make more) and my kids are already asking when I can make “Lisa’s crispy magic chicken” again. Soon kids, soon. 😉5 stars

    1. Hi Sarah – I’m so glad you and your family loved these chicken thighs! Can’t wait for you to make this again :)

  31. I absolutely loved the flavor in this recipe. When I baked it my kitchen became quite smoky even with the vent on. The grease splatter in my oven was also a bit messy to clean up. I’m wondering if you have any tips for cooking to prevent these issues in the future?

    1. Hi Holly – my chicken doesn’t splatter (and so my oven doesn’t become smoky). Each oven cooks slightly differently, so perhaps yours is cooking a bit hot. You might want to turn down the temperature a little next time, and cook a little bit longer. :)

  32. OMG!!! These are an absolute favourite!!! I always have some in the freezer, it’s so versatile!! From Caesar Salad, to instant roast chicken, sandwich fillings or cold chicken and salad on a scorching hot day!!! Of which we in Australia are experiencing right now!5 stars

    1. Hi Anita – I’m glad you are enjoying these crispy chicken thighs and are able to use them for multiple recipes :)

  33. My boyfriend and I just moved in together and your recipes and prep videos are really helping us to plan our meals. We made this recipe for our friends and since then it’s everyone’s favorite ! 5 stars

  34. My kids and husband are not always to keen on me experimenting in the kitchen. This recipe however made me instantly very popular. So easy and so tasty. Can highly recommend. And kids approval guaranteed ;-).5 stars

  35. I made this recipe the other night and it was so delicious, the whole family loved!  I will definitely be making it again!5 stars

  36. My husband made the Crispy Baked Chicken this evening in under an hour. He is not a cook and finds the easy directions and videos to make the recipes a snap. Absolutely delicious. THANK YOU!5 stars

    1. Hi Carol – Now you’re husband is a master chef at chicken thighs :) Glad to hear both you and your husband enjoyed this recipe!