These crispy and juicy baked chicken thighs make for the perfect weeknight meal. They’re very simple to make, taste great, have the crispiest skin, and are much better for you than regular fried chicken. So much to love!.
As a kid I loved KFC chicken, but my favorite part was the crispy skin that was full of herbs and flavor. In fact, I may have eaten the skin more than the meat!.
Today, I no longer eat KFC (for obvious reasons) but I still love tender, juicy chicken with crispy, flavorful skin. And that’s where my baked chicken thighs come in. You can make crispy baked chicken that the whole family will love with just a drizzle of oil and a lot of dried herbs. And you can feel good knowing it’s healthier.
The skin on my roast chicken is crispy and golden, and my baked chicken breasts taste great with spices. You’ll love these baked chicken thighs even more!
Chicken thighs are an underrated ingredient that can be used in a lot of different ways. Every home cook should have them in their recipe collection. Chicken thighs with the bones are cheaper and taste better and have more juice than chicken breasts.
But there are so many ways to cook chicken thighs that it’s hard to know where to begin. Here are 12 of my favorite tasty recipes that show you how to cook bone-in chicken thighs so that they always turn out perfectly.
Why Choose Bone-In Chicken Thighs?
Chicken thighs have more fat, collagen, and flavor than chicken breasts The bone adds even more moisture, gelatin, and taste as it cooks. Skin-on bone-in thighs are ideal for getting crispy skin in the oven or grill
And thighs are harder to overcook than white meat. They stay more juicy even if you cook them for a little too long. This makes them a very easy cut of meat for home cooks to work with.
When buying bone-in chicken thighs, look for ones with skin intact. Free range and organic is great if you can find it. Avoid “enhanced” chicken injected with saline solution opting for all natural when possible.
Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
Crispy, juicy baked chicken thighs are a weeknight dinner staple. The chicken in this crispy baked chicken thigh recipe tastes great thanks to a tasty mix of garlic powder, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper.
Baking bone-in chicken thighs on a rack over a baking sheet helps the hot air circulate under and around the chicken resulting in crispy skin. These chicken thighs can be enjoyed on their own or served with veggies, potatoes, rice, or pasta.
Chicken Thigh Sheet Pan Meals
Cooking chicken thighs on a sheet pan makes for easy clean up. Try pairing bone-in chicken thighs with potatoes and green beans or brussels sprouts for a complete meal.
Season the chicken with spices like cumin, chili powder, garlic, and oregano. Or go Italian with rosemary, basil, and lemon. Endless flavor possibilities!
Roast at 400°F for 35-40 minutes until the juices run clear and chicken thighs reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
An air fryer gives you crispy, evenly cooked chicken thighs without needing to bread or fry them. Simply season bone-in chicken thighs with your favorite spices and air fry at 380°F for 18-22 minutes, flipping halfway.
The skin gets perfectly crispy and the chicken cooks quickly thanks to the rapid air circulation. Serve with homemade honey mustard dipping sauce.
Grilled BBQ Chicken Thighs
Bone-in chicken thighs are ideal for grilling since they stay moist, and the bone protects the delicate meat. Try pairing grilled thighs with zesty BBQ sauce or spice rub.
Grill skin-side down over direct medium heat for 8-10 minutes until skin gets crispy. Flip and move to indirect heat, close grill lid, and cook for 15-25 more minutes until chicken thighs reach 165°F.
Chicken Thigh Stir Fry
Stir fry is a great way to use up a pack of boneless chicken thighs. Slice them into thin strips and stir fry in a hot pan or wok with veggies until cooked through.
Toss with a flavorful sauce like teriyaki, sesame ginger, or sweet and sour sauce. Serve stir fried chicken thighs over a bed of white or brown rice.
Chicken Thigh Fajitas
Juicy chicken thigh fajitas are easy to make for a fun Tex-Mex family meal. Season sliced boneless skinless chicken thighs with a blend of cumin, chili powder, garlic, and oregano.
Sauté the chicken with bell peppers and onions until cooked through. Wrap in warm tortillas and top with your favorite fajita toppings like salsa, guacamole, cheese, and sour cream.
Baked Chicken Parmesan
Chicken parmesan is an Italian comfort food favorite that’s easy to make at home with chicken thighs. Simply dredge boneless thighs in flour, egg, then panko breadcrumbs.
Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until cooked through and crispy. Top with marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese, then bake 5 minutes more to melt the cheese. Serve over pasta.
Instant Pot Chicken Thighs
An Instant Pot or other multi-cooker is great for cooking bone-in chicken thighs. Try making chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, or chicken adobo.
Sauté aromatics like onion and garlic, add spices, chicken, and sauce. Pressure cook thighs for 8-12 minutes. The chicken will be fall-off-the-bone tender in a flavorful gravy or sauce.
Chicken Thigh Soup Recipes
Shredded chicken thighs make a rich, hearty addition to soups and stews. Try Hawaiian chicken and pineapple soup, chicken tortilla soup, or chicken noodle soup.
Simmer bone-in chicken thighs in broth with veggies until cooked through and tender. Remove thighs, shred meat, then add back to the soup.
Chicken Thigh Meal Prep
Meal prepping chicken thighs helps save time and money during your busy week. Bake a tray of chicken thighs and refrigerate or freeze them for quick meals later.
Reheat chicken thigh leftovers in the microwave for easy lunch wraps, salads, rice bowls, or snacks. Shred for tacos, sandwiches, casseroles, and more. The possibilities are endless!
Chicken Thigh Casserole Recipes
A chicken thigh casserole is an easy way to transform leftovers into a comforting baked dish. Try mixing shredded chicken thighs with rice, pasta, or tater tots.
Top with cheese, creamy sauce, and crunchy toppings like French fried onions or crushed crackers or chips. Baked until hot and bubbly for an effortless family dinner.
Slow Cooker Chicken Thighs
Let your slow cooker do the work with flavorful chicken thigh recipes like honey garlic, teriyaki, or buffalo chicken. Cook bone-in skin-on chicken thighs on low heat for 4-6 hours.
The slow, moist cooking environment keeps the chicken incredibly tender and juicy. Use a slow cooker liner for easy cleanup. Shred chicken and serve on buns or over rice.
Chicken thighs truly offer versatility, great flavor, and savings for home cooks. Try out these tasty recipe ideas to enjoy bone-in chicken thighs for dinner this week. Which will be your new go-to?
How to Bake Chicken Thighs
Make the seasoning. Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) and take the chicken thighs out of the fridge to come to room temperature. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry and remove any condensation. Then, in a small bowl, mix all of the herbs and spices together.
Season the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and two thirds of the spice mix. Coat the chicken all over, even under the skin, with your hands.
Prep the chicken for baking. Place the chicken thighs on a rack on top of a baking sheet. Then, sprinkle the remaining spice mix on top of the chicken. Feel free to gently pat down the seasoning so it sticks to each chicken thigh.
Bake the chicken. These will cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F. You can also broil the skin for two to three minutes to make it extra crispy. Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
I think it’s best. The rack allows the air to circulate around the chicken, making it crispier. If you don’t have a rack, use a larger baking sheet with space between the chicken so that any juices spread out from the chicken.
Absolutely! The key to this recipe is using lots of herbs and spices (just under one teaspoon of herbs and spices per chicken thigh). But, if you’d like to switch up the flavor profile, by all means, have fun with it.
The good news is that it’s really hard to overcook chicken thighs. The darker meat just stays juicer. And in fact, you want to cook chicken thighs about 5 to 10 degrees higher than chicken breasts, as this allows the connective tissue to breakdown more, resulting in the most tender meat.
- Chicken thighs that have been left over can be kept in the fridge for three to four days in a container that doesn’t let air in. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
- If you want to enjoy the crispy skin again, bake them at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until they are warm all the way through. If you have an air fryer, you can heat them up for three to four minutes at 350°F.
Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- Get a package of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe, but I think the skin keeps the meat moist and bone-in chicken tastes better. It’s also cheaper! .
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper are just a few of the simple spices that are used to season chicken.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
I Make This Easy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe All The Time, So Delicious!
FAQ
What can I do with chicken thighs on the bone?
28 Bone-In Chicken Thigh Recipes01 of 29. Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore. 02 of 29. Soy Sauce Chicken. 03 of 29. Keto Smothered Chicken Thighs. 04 of 29. Baked Lemon-Butter Chicken Thighs. 05 of 29. Crispy Panko Chicken Thighs. 06 of 29. Skillet Chicken Thighs with Carrots and Potatoes. 07 of 29. Moroccan Chicken Thighs. 08 of 29.
What’s the best way to cook bone-in chicken thighs?
While the USDA says chicken thighs need to be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees, I recommend you bake them until they reach 180 – 190 degrees ….
What meal can I do with chicken thighs?
Chicken thigh recipesCreamy chicken stew. A star rating of 4. 5 out of 5. Chicken arrabbiata stew & parmesan dumplings. One-pot garlicky chicken thighs & giant cous cous. Easy chicken curry. Sticky Chinese five-spice chicken traybake. Home-style chicken curry. Ginger chicken udon noodles. Amatriciana chicken traybake.
What are chicken thighs best for?
Thighs benefit dishes designed for low and slow cooking- braises, stews, soups, curries, smoking/barbecue, pot pie, etc. they’re a bit fattier than breasts, so they won’t dry out during long cooking sessions. They also have a bit more connective tissue than white meat, so they get tender when cooked properly.