• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Toasty Kitchen

  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • FAQ

subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • About
  • FAQ

×
Home » Recipes » Poultry

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Modified: Mar 4, 2025 · Published: May 27, 2021 by Heather · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 833 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article.

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Crispy baked chicken thighs recipe.
Crispy baked chicken thighs recipe.
Crispy baked chicken thighs recipe.

Crispy baked chicken thighs are easy to whip up and toss in the oven on a busy weeknight. These chicken thighs turn out juicy and tender on the inside, with a crispy, lightly seasoned crust on the outside.

Crispy baked chicken thighs on a baking sheet.

Oven baked chicken thighs are a family favorite dinner recipe. These chicken thighs are seasoned with a variety of spices that turn into a crispy crust in the oven. The entire family will love them!

Bone-in chicken thighs turn out extra juicy and flavorful from being cooked on the bone. If you're unfamiliar with cooking chicken thighs, don't worry - it's easier than you think!

Serve these chicken thighs with mashed potatoes or a chopped salad for a complete meal. They're ready in less than an hour, making them perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients and substitutions

Ingredients on a counter top.
  • Chicken - You'll need about 3 pounds of bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe. This recipe can be made with an equal weight of drumsticks (like in my baked chicken drumsticks recipe), boneless chicken thighs, or chicken breasts. The cooking time will vary based on the cut of chicken used. I recommend using a meat thermometer for accurate cooking.
  • Seasoning - Onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne pepper add flavor to your chicken. Brown sugar can be substituted with granulated sugar.
  • Olive oil - Can be substituted with any cooking oil you keep on hand.

Tips for crispy chicken

  • Pat your chicken dry with a paper towel before beginning. Excess moisture on the chicken will prevent it from getting crispy in the oven.
  • Trim off excess fat around the edges - these bits take longer to crisp up in the oven.
  • Prepare your baking sheet with an oven-safe cooling rack on top. This way your chicken won't be sitting in excess grease as it bakes.
  • Optionally, turn on the broiler for 1-2 minutes after your chicken has finished cooking. This will help crisp up the skin even more.

Preparing your baking sheet

For this recipe, I highly recommend using an oven-safe cooling rack to bake your chicken. Using this method helps your chicken to bake up crispy because the thighs won't be sitting in grease while they cook.

First, cover your baking sheet with foil. Then, place an oven-safe cooling rack on top. I do not recommend using a cooling rack coated in nonstick material.

I use this cooling rack from Amazon in the oven frequently and it works great. Plus, it's easy to pop in the dishwasher along with the dinner plates.

Preparing chicken thighs on a baking sheet.

Skin on or off?

Leaving the skin on your thighs insulates the chicken as it bakes, which helps prevent the meat from drying out. The skin also helps to keep your chicken juicy and gives some leeway if you over-bake them slightly.

You're welcome to use skinless chicken thighs if you prefer. Or, if you're trying to cut calories, feel free to remove the skin once it has finished baking. 

If you plan to serve your chicken without skin, I suggest rubbing your spices underneath the skin before baking. 

Baked chicken thighs lined up on a baking sheet.

What to serve with chicken thighs

Great side dish ideas to serve with baked chicken thighs:

  • Classic pasta salad
  • Dill potato salad
  • Southern macaroni salad
  • Strawberry spinach salad
  • Savory roasted sweet potatoes
  • Kale apple slaw
  • Roasted buffalo cauliflower

Recommended

  • Chicken drumsticks on a cooling rack.
    Baked Chicken Drumsticks
  • Plate of baked parmesan chicken tenders with a bowl of ketchup.
    Baked Parmesan Chicken Tenders
  • Oven roasted chicken drumsticks on a sheet pan.
    Lemon Pepper Drumsticks
  • Pieces of Mexican grilled chicken on a white serving plate with fresh cilantro.
    Mexican Grilled Chicken (Pollo Asado)

📖 Recipe

Crispy baked chicken thighs on a baking sheet.
Print Recipe
4.45 from 38 reviews

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs

Crispy baked chicken thighs are easy to whip up and toss in the oven on a busy weeknight. These chicken thighs turn out juicy and tender on the inside, with a crispy, lightly seasoned crust on the outside.
Prep Time10 minutes minutes
Cook Time45 minutes minutes
Total Time55 minutes minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 481kcal
Author: Heather

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds bone-in chicken thighs, about 6-8 thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne
Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil and top with a metal, oven-safe cooling rack. Set aside. 
  • Pat chicken dry with a paper towel. This is an important step to help your chicken get crispy when baking. 
  • In a small bowl, combine onion powder, garlic powder, brown sugar, salt, paprika, pepper, and cayenne pepper.
  • In a large bowl, add chicken thighs. Drizzle with olive oil. Pour spices over chicken and toss to coat. 
  • Place thighs onto prepared baking sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes, or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit (I highly recommend using a meat thermometer).
  • Optionally, broil for 2-3 minutes to make skin more crispy on top (watch carefully, edges can burn quickly). Remove from oven and enjoy.

Equipment Recommendations

  • Nordic Ware Half Baking Sheet
  • Cooling Rack
  • 12 Inch Stainless Steel Tongs
  • Measuring Spoons

Notes

  • I highly recommend using an oven-safe cooling rack to bake your chicken. Using this method helps your chicken to bake up crispy because your thighs won't be sitting in grease while they cook.
  • If you plan to serve your chicken without skin, rub your spices underneath the skin before baking, then remove the skin once your chicken is cooked through. The skin helps to prevent your chicken from drying out while baking and adds flavor.

Nutrition Estimate

Serving: 1thigh | Calories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 189mg | Sodium: 926mg | Potassium: 437mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 350IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American

More Poultry Recipes

  • Two plates of pasta with sliced chicken breast laid on top.
    Bruschetta Chicken Pasta
  • A bowl of teriyaki chicken and rice.
    Chicken Teriyaki Bowls
  • A plate of parmesan chicken nuggets with a bowl of dipping sauce.
    Parmesan Chicken Nuggets
  • Ranch chicken tenders on a plate.
    Ranch Chicken Tenders

Share this post:

Reader Interactions

Comments

    4.45 from 38 votes (34 ratings without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

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

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Patty Walkonen

    April 14, 2025 at 7:48 pm

    The chicken turned out so delicious and tender! I will make again

    Reply
  2. Jamie

    November 20, 2024 at 1:38 pm

    UNBELIEVABLY GOOD

    Reply
    • Heather

      November 20, 2024 at 1:42 pm

      So glad you enjoy the recipe Jamie!

      Reply
  3. Marcia S.

    March 29, 2023 at 12:53 pm

    I love these chicken thighs! Crispy and the meat is still moist! I am on the Keto diet. All I had to do to make this a Keto recipe was leave out the sugar. Simple!
    This gives me another option for my diet! Another way to cook chicken.
    Thank you Toasty Kitchen for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
  4. Jamie

    September 29, 2022 at 6:38 pm

    DELICIOUS. Will make this again and again. Thanks much for the recipe

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Heather of The Toasty Kitchen

Hi, I'm Heather!

I love cooking with simple, everyday ingredients and want to help you make homemade meals with ease.

Read more

Reader favorites

  • A metal fork in a bowl of cheesy rice.
    Cheesy Rice

  • Whipped buttercream frosting recipe.
    Whipped Buttercream Frosting

  • Beef roast in a large slow cooker.
    Slow Cooker Beef Roast with Potatoes and Carrots

  • Pouring gravy over a bowl of mashed potatoes.
    How To Make Gravy Without Drippings

Parties & Potlucks

  • Two glasses of punch.
    Spring Party Punch

  • A mint chocolate chip mini cheesecake unwrapped on a cutting board.
    Mint Chocolate Chip Mini Cheesecakes

  • A stack of birthday cake rice krispies treats.
    Birthday Cake Rice Krispies Treats

  • A stack of birthday cookie bars.
    Birthday Cookie Bars

Footer

featured on:

decorative image of website logos.

Explore

  • Recipe Index
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe

About

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Image Copyright
  • Contact

Copyright © 2025 The Toasty Kitchen®

Rate This Recipe

Your vote:




Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

This worked exactly as written, thanks!
My family loved this!
Thank you for sharing this recipe

Or write in your own words:

A rating is required
A name is required
An email is required

Recipe Ratings without Comment

Something went wrong. Please try again.