Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs

Get ready to savour every bite! These succulent Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and super easy to make. Add spices to a resealable plastic bag or container then shake and bake! Serve these crispy thighs with rice, fries or salad.

overhead view of baked chicken thighs on top of rice in a big bowl

Save This Recipe!

Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, you get more tasty recipes every week!

Save Recipe

Ever wondered how to make crispy chicken thighs in the oven? Well, look no further because these are the best baked chicken thighs that you will taste! This crispy baked chicken thigh recipe has become a family favourite and is so easy to make.

Oh, and did I mention that these chicken thighs can be made in an air fryer too?

All you have to do is follow the same recipe steps and add the thighs to an air fryer instead of an oven.

You may need to cook the thighs in two batches though as all eight chicken thighs probably won’t fit in the air fryer at the same time.

On this occasion, I decided to serve this chicken thigh dinner with rice, a few lemon wedges and it went down like a storm! You can also serve these tasty chicken pieces with turnip fries and more.

skin-on chicken thighs served with rice and a lemon wedge

Why I Love This Recipe

  • These skin-on chicken thighs are the perfect quick and easy side dish to add to your weeknight dinner rotation. All you need to do is add the spice mixture and thighs to a container or resealable plastic bag then shake ‘n’ bake – that’s it!
  • Nothing beats biting into crispy baked chicken thighs. The combination of the crispy chicken skin and the tender, juicy flesh is always so satisfying. This dish is a crowd-pleaser that is sure to have everyone lining up for seconds.
  • These keto chicken thighs are packed with protein and can be paired with cauliflower or cucumber salad for a low-carb option.
raw chicken thighs in a bowl next to small cups of dry ingredients

Ingredients And Subsituions

  • Chicken Thighs: Use fresh chicken thighs for this recipe and leave the skin on. If you are using frozen chicken then allow them to thaw for at least 1 to 2 hours before preparing the thighs.
  • Baking powder: Adding baking powder to the spice mix will help to make the chicken thighs crispy and brown.
  • Spice mixture: This spice mixture also includes salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper. These ingredients will enhance the flavor of the chicken thighs and make them even more delicious.
chicken thighs and rice

How to Make Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs

Preheat the oven to 425° F using the convection setting for at least ten minutes before baking the chicken thighs.

Start by using scissors or a knife to remove excess fat from the chicken thighs. You will also need to pat each chicken thigh dry using a paper towel. Don’t skip this step as patting the chicken thighs dry will ensure that the thighs are perfectly crispy!

placing chicken thighs on a cooking rack


Next, you will need to add baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper to a large resealable plastic bag or container.

Give the spice mixture a good shake and make sure the ingredients are mixed well. Add one chicken thigh at a time to the resealable bag or container, seal tightly and shake until the chicken is fully coated in the spice mixture.

Line a baking sheet with foil and place an oven-safe rack on top of it. Then place the chicken thighs on the rack. Make sure there is some space between each chicken thigh to allow air circulation.

seasoned chicken thigh pieces laid out on a cooking rack

Bake chicken thighs for about 35-40 minutes or until the skin is crispy and
the chicken juices run clear. Alternatively, you can use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken.

Once the thermometer reaches 165° F the chicken thighs are ready.

Serve crispy chicken thighs immediately with your favourite side!

crispy chicken thighs and rice served in a white plate

fAQs

What temperature should chicken thighs be cooked at?

Chicken thighs should be cooked at 425ºF using the convection setting for 30-45 minutes or until golden brown.

To ensure that the chicken thighs are done use a thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs. The internal temperature should be at least 165F. If you don’t have a thermometer then slice into a chicken thigh and if the juices run clear then they are ready.

Does baking powder make chicken crispy?

Yes, adding baking powder to chicken helps to make them crispy.

Baking powder breaks down the peptide bonds in the chicken thighs and increases the PH level. This causes the chicken skin to dry out quickly and results in delicious crispy and crunchy thighs.

How to Store chicken thighs?

It is really easy to store these chicken thighs. Store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days but, be aware that they may lose their crispiness due to the moisture in the fridge.

Luckily you can crisp them up again by placing them back in the oven or air fryer for about ten minutes or until crispy.

Crispy Oven Baked Chicken and rice in an oven dish

Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs

Alisa Infanti
Get ready to savor every bite! These succulent Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs are perfectly crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and super easy to make. Add seasoning to a resealable plastic bag or container then shake and bake! Serve with rice, fries or salad.
4.79 from 32 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dinner
Cuisine North Amercian
Servings 4 people
Calories 508 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Chicken Thighs Skin-on
  • 1 ½ tbsp baking powder
  • 2 ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3 tsp paprika
  • 1 ½ tsp black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425 F using the convection setting.
  • Trim off excess fat from chicken thighs and pat dry using paper towels.
  • Add baking powder, salt, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper to a large resealable plastic bag or container and shake to mix.
  • Next, add the chicken thighs one at a time to the bag or container and seal tightly. Shake well and coat the chicken thighs in the spice mixture.
  • Place an oven-safe rack on top of a foil-lined baking sheet then place the chicken thighs on the rack leaving space around for air circulation.
  • Bake chicken thighs for about 35-40 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check whether the chicken thighs are done. The internal temperature should be 165 F or the chicken juices should run clear and be crispy on the outside.
  • Serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 508kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 37gFat: 38gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.2gCholesterol: 221mgSodium: 2107mgPotassium: 527mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 919IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 291mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Crispy – Make sure you pat the chicken thighs dry using paper towels. This step helps to make the thighs extra crispy!
Bake – Use convection setting to bake chicken thighs at 425 F for 35-40 minutes. 
Storage – Store chicken thighs in an airtight container for 3-4 days and reheat them in the oven or air fryer to crisp them up again. 
Please Note:

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Share on Facebook Pin Recipe

If you liked this recipe you may also enjoy…

Pin It For Later!

promo graphic of a chicken thigh on top of a bed of rice on a plate

Similar Posts

25 Comments

  1. I do not have a convection oven. Will the chicken still be crispy in regular oven: what temperature should be used: and how long to be cooked?
    Thank you in advance for a reply. I only like crispy chicken so almost never cook chicken.

    1. Hi Pieri, My husband has made this before and forgotten to turn the oven on to convection and it still works out. I would cook for another 10 minutes because it may take a bit longer to cook without the convection heat but always check the temperature of the chicken to be sure before you eat.

  2. 5 stars
    I’ve now made this recipe twice, and it’s a big hit with the whole family. SUPER juicy. Wonderful yet simple seasoning. I’ve tried multiple oven “fried” chicken recipes, but this is the first that was super crispy. Leftovers proved to be just as yummy. Next day, pulled it off the bone, and had it over a salad with a spicy homemade ranch with lots of veggies. Hubby made a loaded wrap with his. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe!

  3. 5 stars
    Crispy and Delicious! I make chicken every Sunday and used to alternate oven fried chicken recipes. However, after trying this, it immediately became our favorite! It turns so nice and crispy, it’s seasoned perfectly and so simple. We love it.

  4. 5 stars
    I prepared mine to the recipe. I only had 3 thighs so if I made more chicken next time I would definitely double the recipe. The chicken turned out perfect. Delicious. I made it with a side of grits. It was such a hit my husband wants it once a week. Thank you!!

  5. 5 stars
    This chicken made me choke! Because it was sooooo delicious i gobbled it down too fast! Oh my gosh was this delicious! The amount of spices was spot on, my new way to bake chicken. This will be my new recipe for Thanksgiving turkey thighs&breasts! Only thing different was it took 15 minutes in my convection oven @ 425 degrees

    1. You had me worried for a moment! I am thrilled that you loved this recipe so much but next time slow down LOL!

  6. 3 stars
    Very salty. Cut the salt in half. Skin was ok baking powder verygood to work with though. Next ti.e I might cut slips in the skin to help.

    1. Hi Lori, I don’t find it salty but most certainly next time you can add less seasoning salt to the mix to suit your taste.

        1. Hi Sue, I would recommend turning them halfway thru and starting with the fat side down first so when you flip them the fat side when up will have time to crisp.

  7. 5 stars
    Enjoyed this for dinner last night and it did not disappoint! Quick, easy and flavorful; the perfect dinner for a busy weeknight!

  8. 5 stars
    you were right! they are in fact super juicy! I ate them with roasted potatoes and paired very well!

  9. 5 stars
    What a delicious recipe! I love how crispy the skins become. Perfect for serving with rice and veggies. A great weekday meal!

  10. 5 stars
    Oh wow! I love that golden, crispy skin! So easy too. Definitely perfect for pairing with a salad.

4.79 from 32 votes (20 ratings without comment)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating