Baked Chicken Thighs
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How To Cook Chicken Thighs

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Today, I’m sharing my baked chicken thighs recipe. These chicken thighs are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. The reason I love this recipe is the fact that I can have dinner ready from start to finish in an hour.

Kitchen Tools Needed

Baked Chicken Thighs

How To Cook Chicken Thighs

Step One: Wash the Chicken

The first step for me is washing the raw chicken. The CDC and FDA recommend you do not wash the chicken due to bacteria that may splash on your countertop, clothes, etc.

You decide what works for you, I can’t place that bloody chicken in my pans, that’s just how I roll. So, I rinse my raw chicken under cold water and make sure I clean up the work area very well after washing the chicken.

Washing the chicken thighs in a strainer

Step Two: Combine the Ingredients

Grab a large bowl and place all of the ingredients into the bowl except the chicken. Stir the oil and spices until smooth. Place the chicken thighs on the rack and coat the thighs evenly.

Chicken Thighs Sauce

Step Three: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to (350°F) = (176°C) degrees. Grab a 9 by 13-inch baking pan, preferably with 2-1/2 to 3-inch sides. Cover the pan with foil and place a baking rack inside the pan. Spray the pan and rack with vegetable oil. Place the chicken thighs on the rack inside the foiled pan.

Chicken Thighs in the baking pan

Step Four: Coat the Chicken Thighs

Use a pastry brush to coat the thighs evenly with the oil and spices mixed above.

Chicken Thighs basted with sauce

Step Five: Bake Uncovered

Bake uncovered for 55 minutes, or until done. Make sure the meat thermometer registers at least (165°F) = (73°C) degrees. to be sure the meat is safe to eat. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite side dishes.

Baked Chicken Thighs

Baking Times: Baked Chicken Thighs

I typically bake my chicken thighs at 350 degrees F, but you can cook them a little faster if you want to as shown in the list of temperatures below. Times will vary based on the weight of each chicken thigh, so I highly recommend a Meat Thermometer

  • 350 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 50-55 minutes
  • 375 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 45-50 minutes
  • 400 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 40-45 minutes
  • 425 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 35-40 minutes
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Please keep in mind, if the thighs are boneless and skinless they will need about ten minutes longer to bake. Bake until you see the juices run and you no longer see any pink near the bone. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness when you see it register (165°F) = (73°C) degrees.

How long can I store uncooked chicken?

According to the USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, you can store raw chicken in your refrigerator for 1-2 days. It doesn’t matter if it’s legs, breasts, or a whole chicken, 1-2 days is the maximum time to store raw chicken to be safe.

How long can I store the cooked chicken after baking it?

Place them in the refrigerator in airtight containers or baggies for 3-4 days, according to the USDA and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Can I freeze these cooked chicken thighs?

Yes, you can freeze these chicken thighs. Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, airtight containers, or freezer bags. They will keep for about 3-6 months in the freezer.

How To Cook Chicken Thighs

5 from 3 votes
Baked Chicken Thighs
Baked Chicken Thighs
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
55 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 6 people
Author: Linda Loosli
Ingredients
  • 10-12 chicken thighs with skin and bone-in
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoons paprika
  • 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to (350°F) = (176°C) degrees.

  2. Grab a 9 by 13-inch baking pan, preferably with 2-1/2 to 3-inch sides.

  3. Cover the pan with foil and place a baking rack inside the pan. Spray the pan and rack with vegetable oil.

  4. Grab a large bowl and place all of the ingredients into the bowl except the chicken. Stir the oil and spices until smooth.

  5. Place the chicken thighs on the rack and coat the thighs evenly.

  6. Bake uncovered for 55 minutes or until done. Make sure the meat thermometer registers (165°F)= (73°C) degrees. to be sure the meat is safe to eat.

  7. Let the meat rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve with your favorite side dishes.

  8. Alternative Baking Temperatures and Times for Chicken Thighs:

    350 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 50-55 minutes

    375 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 45-50 minutes

    400 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 40-45 minutes

    425 degrees F. Chicken thighs: 35-40 minutes

Final Word

I really hope you try making my baked chicken thighs recipe. Sometimes you can find chicken thighs marked way down and save even more money when grocery shopping. Are you like me and love to cook at home?

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There is something so awesome when my oven is baking chicken thighs or any meal for that matter. Mark loves to walk into the house when dinner is baking in the kitchen. Life is so good!

Thanks for being prepared for the unexpected. May God bless this world, Linda

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8 Comments

  1. I’m with you on the rinsing. Geeez, do the CDC/FDA really think we grown-ups are incapable of doing something like that without splashing it all over the kitchen? Or that we don’t know about clean-up? (It’s the same principle as the “expert” advice on emptying a “humanure” toilet bucket into a compost bin and washing out the bucket–you’re “supposed” to wear a mask, eye protection, and gloves…)

    Going to try your spice recipe… I do a similar one, though in a stovetop pan on low heat, since there’s just the two of us. Salt, pepper, and plenty of rosemary leaves, plus a bit of olive oil and a good dash of white wine (which cooks down and caramelizes beautifully). Same 55 minutes as yours, turned over halfway.
    Now I’m hungry–even though I just had lunch!

  2. 5 stars
    I made these for dinner last night. They were sooo good! My whole family loved them!❤️ I will definitely be making these again. Thank you for sharing!❤️

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