Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs are the perfect easy weeknight meal! Pair with a simple side dish like steamed vegetables or mashed potatoes, and you’ll have a delicious plateful to enjoy.

There’s just something so delicious about the crispy outer layer of baked chicken. We love having a crisp bite followed quickly by a tender and juicy center. It’s the perfect balance for creating a dinner that everyone will love coming back to for more.

The other really great thing about cooking chicken for dinner is that it’s a quick and hearty dish. Baked chicken thighs in the oven can be enjoyed on their own or paired up with a killer side dish, too.

Since we tend to buy a lot of chicken, being able to change up the texture and the flavor is key. Cooking chicken means that you can have crispy chicken, tender chicken, and anything in between.

TO MAKE CRISPY OVEN-BAKED CHICKEN THIGHS YOU WILL NEED:

Chicken thighs, skin on
Salt
Ground pepper
Onion powder
Paprika
Italian seasonings
Garlic powder
Olive oil

HOW TO BAKE CRISPY THIGHS IN THE OVEN

Preheat the oven to 400F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil and keep it aside.

In a small bowl, mix the spices; salt, pepper, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasonings, and garlic powder.

Pat dry the chicken thighs with the kitchen towel and arrange them on the prepared baking tray.

Brush the chicken thighs with olive oil. Sprinkle the prepared spice mix over the thighs and coat them evenly.

Bake the chicken thighs for 30-35 minutes until the skins turn crispy and golden.

Transfer the crispy chicken thighs to a platter to serve them hot.

How do you get crispy skin in the oven?

To get that outer layer of crispy chicken skin, you need to be sure that your oven is super hot. Putting the chicken in too early can result in soggier skin than normal.

Should Chicken Thighs be baked skin side up or down?

Baking your chicken thighs skin side up is super important. You also don’t need to worry about flipping the chicken once it’s cooking in the oven, either.

How do I know that the chicken is done cooking?

The best way to tell that the chicken is done baking in the oven is to test the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. Insert the meat thermometer into a thick portion of the chicken but away from the bone. As long as the reading says at least 165 degrees, the chicken should be safe to remove and eat.

What side dishes go well with baked chicken?

This is why baked chicken dishes are the best! They literally pair with anything that you can imagine: steamed veggies, mashed potatoes, side salads, or even steamed rice. You can also just have some homemade bread and a side of cottage cheese, too. Keep it simple!

Why are my chicken thighs rubbery?

If you overcook the chicken thighs, there is a chance that they are going to be rubbery. This is again when the meat thermometer is going to become your cooking best friend!

How to store leftover baked chicken thighs

The easiest way to store leftovers is to let the chicken cool completely and then store it in an airtight container. It needs to be kept in the fridge and should be consumed within 2-3 days.

How to reheat leftover chicken

To reheat the leftover chicken, you can reheat it in the oven, the microwave, or even pop it in the air fryer for a few moments of time.

If you want that crispy skin, the air fryer is going to be your best bet. Just be careful to only reheat for a few minutes of time so that you don’t overcook the chicken.

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