Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

By Tyla | Last modified on Dec 2, 2025

Featured in: Dinner

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs offer a delicious and hassle-free meal perfect for busy weeknights or leisurely family dinners. Each bite delivers juicy, flavorful meat with a perfectly crisped skin that makes every mouthful a delight.

This simple, keto-friendly dish combines familiar herbs and spices to create a comforting yet vibrant flavor profile, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to enjoy wholesome, home-cooked chicken without complicated preparation.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Delivers perfectly juicy chicken thighs with crisp, flavorful skin every time.
Simple seasoning paste uses pantry staples and requires minimal prep.
Healthy, keto-friendly, and suitable for family meals or meal prep.
Oven-baking method requires little hands-on time yet yields big flavor.

Ingredients

Olive oil: High-quality olive oil creates a smooth seasoning paste and helps crisp the skin while adding subtle fruity richness.
Garlic powder: Provides a deep, savory aroma boosting the overall flavor complexity in every bite.
Onion powder: Adds a mildly sweet and earthy undertone to balance the spices perfectly.
Ground paprika: Contributes vibrant color and a gentle smoky warmth enhancing the chicken’s savory profile.
Italian seasoning: A fragrant blend of herbs like oregano and basil that infuses the meat with classic Mediterranean notes.
Dried parsley: Offers a subtle herbaceous finish and fresh green flavor complementing the other seasonings.
Salt: Essential for seasoning, it enhances natural flavors and helps tenderize the meat.
Black pepper: Adds mild heat and sharpness for balanced seasoning complexity.
Chicken thighs: Skin-on, bone-in thighs deliver juicy, flavorful meat ideal for baking and crisp skin texture.
Butter: Small dots of butter melt while baking to enrich and brown the chicken, enhancing moisture and flavor complexity.

Instructions

Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 400°F and place a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil inside as it heats. The hot pan helps the skin sear immediately when you add the chicken, promoting crispness and locking in juices.
Create the Seasoning Paste: In a large bowl, combine the olive oil with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, Italian seasoning, dried parsley, salt, and black pepper. Stir until the spices are evenly incorporated into a flavorful, paste-like consistency ready for coating the chicken.
Season the Chicken Thoroughly: Add chicken thighs in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding. Toss them gently in the seasoning paste, ensuring each piece is fully coated. For maximum flavor, rub the paste deeply into the skin to adhere well and infuse seasoning thoroughly.
Bake the Chicken on Heated Pan: Carefully transfer the seasoned thighs onto the hot baking sheet to start crisping the skin. Dot the tops with butter to add richness and encourage browning. Bake for 20 minutes undisturbed to begin cooking evenly and developing a nicely browned exterior.
Baste and Continue Baking: Remove the chicken gently and baste each thigh with the flavorful juices collected in the pan. This helps redistribute moisture and seasoning. Return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes to deepen the flavors and continue cooking through.
Final Bake Until Safe Internal Temperature: Baste once more with pan juices, then finish baking for 5 to 15 more minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 165°F, ensuring the chicken is safe and juicy without drying out.

You Must Know

Always use a rimmed pan or baking dish to catch juices that emerge, preventing spills and preserving flavors.
Internal temperature can vary by oven and chicken size; rely on a thermometer instead of baking times alone.
If avoiding direct contact with raw chicken, sprinkle a pre-measured seasoning blend after second basting for even flavor adherence.

Storage Tips

Cool leftovers completely before storing in an airtight container. Refrigerated chicken will keep well for 3-4 days and can be reheated gently in the oven to maintain crisp skin. You may also freeze cooked thighs for up to 3 months, thawing overnight before reheating.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these chicken thighs alongside roasted vegetables, a fresh green salad, or cauliflower rice for a low-carb meal. They pair beautifully with creamy mashed potatoes or a tangy chimichurri sauce to add an exciting contrast.

Professional Tips

Pat chicken thighs dry before seasoning to maximize crispiness and help the seasoning stick better.
Using bone-in, skin-on thighs ensures moist meat and flavor; boneless or skinless will cook faster but with less texture contrast.
Don’t skip the resting/basting steps; they keep the chicken juicy and help develop layered flavors.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?: Chicken breasts require shorter cooking times and can dry out more easily, so they are less ideal for this recipe but can be used with careful attention to internal temperature.
Should I cover the chicken while baking?: No, baking uncovered allows the skin to crisp up nicely. Covering traps steam which softens the skin.
Is it necessary to use butter when baking?: Butter adds richness and helps with browning but can be omitted for dairy-free diets without significantly impacting results.
Can I prepare this recipe in advance?: You can season the chicken a few hours ahead and keep it refrigerated before baking, which can enhance flavor absorption.
How do I store leftovers for meal prep?: Cool completely and store in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or freeze for longer storage.
What sides pair best with oven baked chicken thighs?: Roasted vegetables, salads, mashed potatoes, or cauliflower rice complement the savory flavors perfectly.
Is this recipe keto-friendly?: Yes, the recipe is low in carbs and uses healthy fats, making it a great option for ketogenic and low-carb diets.