Best way to cook chicken thighs bone in

The French certainly know how to get the most out of a chicken and the thighs end up in some of the country’s most comforting, rustic dishes. Whether it be coq au vin (which uses the whole bird chopped up but can easily be replaced with just thighs), poulet à la moutarde, which as the name might suggest, has a whack of warming Dijon mustard running through it, or the indulgent and creamy poulet au Comté, there’s sure to be a French classic to grab your attention.

These Baked Chicken Thighs are crispy on the outside and juicy inside, with the most delicious seasonings. Incredibly easy to make, this chicken thigh recipe is perfect for dinner any night of the week!

Table of Contents Show

Perfect Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe Ingredients
How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs
How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs
Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs?
Recipe Tips
What to Serve with Chicken Thighs
More Chicken Thigh Recipes
Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Instructions
How do I cook bone in chicken thighs?
What is the best method for cooking chicken thighs?
How long does bone in thighs take to cook?
Is it better to cook chicken thighs with bone?

When my family asks, “What’s for dinner?” and the answer is baked chicken thighs, happy cheers can be heard all around.

These oven baked chicken thighs are one of those recipes that you will find yourself making again and again. Along with Baked Chicken Breast, this recipe is one of my go-to’s when I need a quick dinner that’s as tasty as it is quick to prepare.

There’s so much to love about crispy chicken thighs, perfectly seasoned and then baked to juicy perfection. Serve them with these easy Drop Biscuits and Roasted Vegetables for a meal the whole family will love.

Perfect Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

There are so many reasons to love this recipe:

Chicken thigh meat is usually more moist and flavorful than chicken breast.
The seasoning for this chicken thighs recipe is so simple and so tasty.
The skin gets deliciously crispy in the oven.
Chicken thighs are a budget-friendly meal.

Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe Ingredients

Seasonings: This recipe uses a variation of my favorite Chicken Seasoning to season the chicken. For the seasoning rub you’ll need Italian seasoning, brown sugar, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper. If you prefer to not add the brown sugar, the chicken will still be delicious. The sugar just helps the seasonings to caramelize on the chicken as it bakes.
Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs: To serve 6 people, buy 3 pounds of meat, or about 8 thighs.
Olive Oil: Helps the seasonings to stick and the skin to get crispy.

How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs

Here’s a quick overview of how to make this easy chicken thigh recipe. Find the full recipe with ingredient amounts and instructions below.

Whisk together the seasonings.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in a baking dish.
Rub all sides of the chicken first with olive oil and then with the spice rub. For the most flavor, try to get some of the seasonings on the meat under the skin. 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.

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs

At 400° F, bone-in chicken thighs will take 30-40 minutes to cook in the oven. The exact cook time will depend on the size of your chicken thighs. The best way to check when chicken is done is to use an instant read thermometer to check the internal temperature. Chicken should be cooked to 165° F. Be sure to insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat, and don’t let it touch the bone.

Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs?

Yes, you can use boneless thighs in this recipe. They will take about 10 minutes less to cook through.

Recipe Tips

Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel before seasoning. This will help the skin to get crispy.
Rub the seasoning on both sides of the chicken, both on top of the skin and under the skin. You want the tasty rub to be all over the chicken for the best flavor.
Bake the chicken at a high temperature (400° F). This seals in moisture, giving you juicier chicken.
Do not cover the chicken as it bakes. Baking uncovered helps the skin to get crispy.
To get the skin extra crispy, you can broil the chicken during the last few minutes of baking. Be sure to use a broiler-safe baking dish.
Bake chicken thighs skin side up and do not flip or move the chicken as it bakes.

What to Serve with Chicken Thighs

These chicken thighs go with just about any side dish! Here are a few ideas:

A starch, such as rice (see How to Cook Rice) or Potato Salad.
Vegetables. Try Roasted Broccoli or Air Fryer Brussels Sprouts.
A fresh, crisp salad, such as Broccoli Slaw or a Greek Salad.

If you have leftover chicken, you can add it to a salad or wrap, or use it to make Chicken Salad for sandwiches.

More Chicken Thigh Recipes

Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Grilled Chicken Thighs
Baked Chicken and Rice
Tuscan Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
Crockpot Chicken and Potatoes

Or try one of these Chicken Recipes.

Baked Chicken Thighs

Print Pin

4.93 from 52 votes

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Keyword baked chicken thighs, chicken thigh recipes, chicken thighs, oven baked chicken, oven baked chicken thighs

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time35 mins

Total Time45 mins

Servings 6 servings

Calories 355kcal

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

The best Baked Chicken Thighs! They bake up juicy and tender with the most delicious seasonings and crispy skin. This easy chicken recipe is a favorite, loved by adults and kids alike.

Ingredients

For the Seasoning:

▢1 tablespoon Italian seasoning (or dried oregano)
▢2 teaspoons brown sugar
▢2 teaspoons paprika
▢2 teaspoons garlic powder
▢1 teaspoon onion powder
▢1 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt (or ½ teaspoon table salt)
▢½ teaspoon black pepper

Other Ingredients:

▢3 pounds skin-on bone-in chicken thighs (8 bone-in thighs, see note below about boneless)
▢2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400° F. Set out a 13x9-inch or similar baking dish or line a rimmed baking sheet with foil or parchment paper.
In a small bowl, whisk together the seasonings until well combined.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in the baking dish.
Rub both sides of the chicken with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken, rubbing it on both sides of the chicken thighs. Try to rub some of the rub underneath the skin as well as on top of the skin for the most flavorful chicken. Arrange the chicken thighs skin side up on the pan.
Bake in the preheated oven, without moving or turning, until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken (not touching the bone) reaches at least 165° F. This will take about 30-40 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken thighs.
If desired, you can broil the chicken for a few minutes to get the skin extra crispy. Be sure to use a broiler-safe baking dish/pan and do not put parchment paper under the broiler.

Notes

If using boneless, skinless chicken thighs, they will take about 10 minutes less to cook through.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is an estimate.

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How do I cook bone in chicken thighs?

Step by Step Instructions.

Lay the chicken thigh skin down on your cutting board..

With a shape knife, gently cut along the bone on one side..

Repeat along the other side of the bone..

Slide the knife under the bone and cut along the back of the bone..

Remove the meat from the final the joint portion and remove the bone..

What is the best method for cooking chicken thighs?

Heat the oven to 350°F. Rub the thighs with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place skin-side up in a roasting pan. Roast, uncovered, until the meat closest to the bone registers 165°F on an instant-read thermometer and the skin is crispy, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.

How long does bone in thighs take to cook?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook quickly, in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Bone-in thighs, however, take a bit more time, between 25 and 30 minutes. Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thighs. They're finished cooking when the temperature reads 165°F.

Is it better to cook chicken thighs with bone?

When you cook chicken thighs with the bone in, the flavor that's housed inside the bone spreads out into the meat, leaving you with chicken with a deeper, meatier, more chicken-y flavor. Basically (heh), bone-in chicken thighs taste better. You better be getting the skin-on thighs too.

cook chicken thighs bone