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Weeknight • Chicken

Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs

Achieve perfectly crispy skin and juicy meat with these simple, flavorful oven-baked chicken thighs.

Prep
10 min
Cook
35 min
Servings
4
Level
Weeknight
Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs

Forget soggy chicken skin! These Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs are about to become your new weeknight hero. With a few easy tricks, you'll achieve that irresistible golden-brown crispness while keeping the meat incredibly tender and juicy. This recipe is practically foolproof!

Ingredients

Yield: 4 servings

Main

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • Optional: Fresh parsley for garnish

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Position an oven rack in the middle of the oven. Line a baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup, and place an oven-safe wire rack on top (this helps air circulate for extra crispy skin).

  2. Step 2

    Pat the chicken thighs very dry with paper towels. This is a crucial step for crispy skin! Trim any excess skin or fat.

  3. Step 3

    In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper.

  4. Step 4

    Drizzle the chicken thighs with olive oil, then rub the spice mixture generously all over the chicken, including under the skin if desired.

  5. Step 5

    Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin-side up on the wire rack on the baking sheet, ensuring there's space between each piece.

  6. Step 6

    Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 175°F (80°C) and the skin is deeply golden brown and crispy. For extra crispiness, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning.

  7. Step 7

    Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if using.

Tips

  • The key to crispy skin is patting the chicken extremely dry. Don't skip this step!
  • Using a wire rack allows hot air to circulate all around the chicken, preventing a soggy bottom.
  • Feel free to experiment with different spice blends like Cajun seasoning or a lemon-herb mix.

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