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Baked Chicken Thighs

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a close-up shot of Baked Chicken Thighs
These juicy, tender baked chicken thighs are loaded with flavor from the delicious marinade that the whole family will enjoy for an easy dinner.
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Table of Contents
  1. Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients
  2. Substitutions And Additions
  3. How To Make This Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
  4. How To Serve
  5. Storage
  6. Frequently Asked Questions
  7. More Recipes You’ll Love
  8. JUMP TO RECIPE
  9. Even More Recipes You’ll Love

Tender, juicy and flavorful, baked chicken thighs are the perfect entree to add to your meal! If you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner, you can bring delicious baked chicken thighs right to your kitchen in no time. 

a close-up shot of Baked Chicken Thighs

Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients

Baked Chicken Thighs raw ingredients that are labeled
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The flavor of crispy oven baked chicken thighs is truly unique. The natural juices of the chicken, combined with the seasonings and herbs, create a delectable and savory taste that you can’t find elsewhere. 

The tenderness of the chicken and its succulent texture will leave you wanting more.

The subtle sweetness of the spices used for seasoning adds an extra layer of flavor to this already delicious meal. 

To make this easy, oven-baked recipe, you’ll need:

  • 3 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon of kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon of coarse black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon of Dijon mustard
  • 8 bone-in chicken thighs
  • Italian flat-leaf parsley

Substitutions And Additions

CHICKEN: This simple chicken recipe can be used for boneless skinless chicken thighs, but the cooking time will be reduced slightly.

OLIVE OIL: Any neutral cooking oil, such as vegetable oil or canola oil, can be used instead of olive oil. You can also try using melted butter or ghee for a richer taste.

LEMON JUICE: Lime juice can be substituted for lemon juice, offering a zesty and slightly different citrus flavor to the chicken.

How To Make This Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

It only takes a few simple steps to make this easy dish, resulting in tender chicken thighs that you will be eager to dig into.

Once you cover the chicken with the marinade, all it takes is about half an hour in the oven before the chicken is ready to serve.

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

You can prepare the chicken thighs in advance by tossing them with the seasoning, placing them in the baking dish, and then refrigerating them for an hour or up to 6 hours.

STEP ONE: Preheat the oven to 400°F.

STEP TWO: Whisk together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.

olive oil, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, and mustard whisked together

STEP THREE: Rinse the chicken thighs and pat dry. Place chicken in a bowl and drizzle the seasoning mixture over the thighs. Toss well to coat both sides of the thighs thoroughly.

Chicken Thighs drizzled with seasoning mixture

STEP FOUR: Transfer the chicken thighs to a 9×13 baking dish.

PRO TIP:

Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your chicken as the suggested baking time approaches.

STEP FIVE: Bake for 30 minutes, or until the center of the chicken registers 160°F, and then turn the oven to broil.

Broil the chicken for about 5 minutes until crisped, and the internal temperature of the thickest part of the meat registers 165°F. 

PRO TIP:

When checking for doneness, be sure that the meat thermometer is only inserted into the meat and not touching a bone.

Chicken Thighs baked in a baking dish

STEP SIX: Garnish oven-baked chicken thighs with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve.

chicken thighs garnished with parsley

How To Serve

Baked chicken thighs are a great addition to any dinner table.

Serve them with your favorite side dishes, such as a hearty Caesar salad and roasted vegetables, for a complete and balanced meal. 

To add a touch of indulgence, try serving them with creamy mashed potatoes and your favorite gravy. 

No matter what you choose, the combination of crispy chicken thighs with flavorful sides will be sure to please everyone at the dinner table!

If you are looking for more fantastic chicken recipes, our fried chicken and chicken tenders are two favorites.

Storage

Here are some simple tips on how to store your baked chicken thighs to keep them fresh and delicious.

IN THE FRIDGE: To store any leftover chicken thighs, allow them to cool down to room temperature first. Then, transfer the chicken to an airtight container or wrap it tightly with plastic wrap.

Properly stored, the chicken will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

IN THE FREEZER: You can also freeze these juicy chicken thighs for up to 1 month if you have made them from fresh chicken.

Do not freeze if you are using chicken thighs that were previously frozen.

a close up shot of a piece of Baked Chicken Thigh on a wooden spoon

These crispy baked chicken thighs are packed with flavor – the lemon zest and the Dijon mustard work together to create a flavor-packed bite. With only a few minutes of prep time, you can let the oven do the work, resulting in juicy meat surrounded by perfectly crispy skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know when these roasted chicken thighs are cooked through?

An instant-read thermometer should register at 165°F at the thickest part of the chicken. The cooking time may vary slightly depending on the size of your chicken.

Do you have to flip the chicken in the oven?

You do not need to flip the chicken in the oven while baking. It will cook through just fine without being turned.

Do you cover baked chicken in the oven?

You do not need to cover the chicken in this easy recipe while baking it in the oven.

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a close-up shot of Baked Chicken Thighs

Baked Chicken Thighs

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These juicy, tender baked chicken thighs are loaded with flavor from the delicious marinade that the whole family will enjoy for an easy dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings 6

Ingredients
  

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon coarse black pepper
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 8 bone-in chicken thighs
  • Italian flat-leaf parsley

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  • Whisk together the olive oil, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, lemon juice, garlic, lemon zest, and Dijon mustard in a small bowl.
  • Rinse chicken thighs and pat dry. Place chicken in a bowl and drizzle seasoning mixture over the thighs. Toss well to coat both sides of the thighs thoroughly.
  • Transfer the chicken thighs to a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until the center of the chicken registers 160°F, and then turn the oven to broil. Broil the chicken for about 5 minutes until crisped, and the center registers 165°F.
  • Garnish with freshly chopped parsley, if desired, and serve.

Notes

  • You can prepare the chicken thighs in advance by tossing them with the seasoning, placing them in the baking dish, and then refrigerating them for an hour or up to 6 hours.
  • Oven temperatures vary and may need to be recalibrated periodically to ensure they are accurate. Make sure to keep a close eye on your chicken as the suggested baking time approaches.
  • When checking for doneness, be sure that the meat thermometer is only inserted into the meat and not touching a bone. 

Nutrition

Calories: 492kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 39g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 18g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 564mg | Potassium: 425mg | Fiber: 0.5g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 160IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 2mg
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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

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