Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

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ThisOven Baked Chicken Thighsrecipe is ready to eat in just 40 minutes. When chicken thighs are roasted in the oven, they are so juicy with deliciously crispy skin.

This recipe costs about $10.26 to make four servings. That is just $2.57 per serving!

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (1)

There are a lot of Oven Baked Chicken thigh recipes out there on the internet. I’ve added my recipe because it is an easy, fuss-free main dish bursting with flavor. And don’t even get me started on the crispy skin!

Chicken thighs are dark meat naturally more flavorful than other pieces, such as the breast. When you add my simple spice blend before baking, these are off-the-charts delicious.

The skin is perfectly crisp, while the meat is juicy and tender. This recipe is versatile because it is a basic chicken recipe that goes well with almost any side dish. You can even increase the spice for this recipe by adding a pinch of chili powder and cayenne.

These Oven Baked Chicken Thighs are my top recommendation for a hands-free, simple chicken recipe to add to your menu rotation. If you’re looking for a broiler recipe, check out my Broiled Chicken Thighs.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (2)

Table of Contents

What I Love About Baked Chicken Thighs

  1. Crispy skin, juicy inside: Forget dry chicken—crispy perfection meets tender, flavorful meat in every bite.
  2. Easy as 1-2-3: Toss, bake, devour. Minimal effort, maximum comfort food satisfaction.
  3. Budget-friendly feast: Feed the crew without breaking the bank. Chicken thighs are my wallet’s secret weapon.
  4. Always a hit: I’ve served these for weeknights and dinner parties. No matter the setting, everyone raves about them!

Ingredients & Estimated Cost:

Per Serving Cost: $2.57

Recipe Cost: $10.26

This recipe celebrates the magic of transforming everyday staples like chicken thighs and seasonings into pure comfort food bliss.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (3)

  • 8 chicken thighs ($9.80):Flavorful and forgiving, chicken thighs are the budget-friendly hero of weeknight meals, always juicy and delicious.
  • 2 Tablespoons olive oil ($0.28):Ensures even seasoning and promotes crispy skin. Plus, it imparts a delicious, mild flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon salt ($0.01):Salt plays a crucial role in enhancing the flavor and texture of chicken thighs. Salt pulls moisture from the surface of the chicken towards the inside, concentrating the natural flavors. Additionally, salt breaks down proteins in the meat, making them more tender and juicy.
  • ½ teaspoon pepper ($0.03):Pepper acts as a flavor “booster,” enhancing the other seasonings used in the recipe. It cuts through sweetness and fattiness, creating a more balanced and enjoyable taste profile.
  • ½ teaspoon paprika ($0.01):It offers a subtle sweetness and a gentle heat. Plus, it promotes the Maillard reaction, the browning process that creates a flavorful, caramelized, crispy crust.
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder ($0.03):Garlic powder is slightly hygroscopic, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. This helps keep the chicken thighs juicy and tender, even when baked.
  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley ($0.10):It offers a slight citrusy brightness that cuts through fat and richness, keeping the flavor profile lively and refreshing.

NOTE: The recipe prices are calculated using grocery store websites. The actual cost of the recipe will vary depending on what ingredients you already have. I updated the pricing for this recipe in June 2024.

How to Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven:

First, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray. Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (4)

Next, brush olive oil over the chicken thighs.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (5)

Then, combine the seasonings in a small bowl.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (6)

Sprinkle the seasoning blend over both sides of the chicken thighs.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (7)

Place the chicken in the baking dish.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (8)

Finally, bake in the oven for 35-45 minutes, depending on the size of the chicken thighs.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (9)

Disclosure: Affiliate links are below.

Recipe Tools:

Serving & Storage Tips

SERVE: You can keep the roasted chicken thighs at room temperature for up to two hours before they will need to be refrigerated.

STORE: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

FREEZE: Once the chicken is cool, place it in a freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag and freeze for 4-5 months.

DEFROST: Defrost the chicken in the refrigerator overnight.

REHEAT: Warm the chicken in a 350-degree F oven for 10-20 minutes or until heated.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (10)

Recipe FAQs

What temp should chicken thighs be cooked to?

The internal temperature should read 165 degrees.

Should I cover chicken with foil when baking?

It is unnecessary to cover the baking dish before baking these chicken thighs. However, leaving it uncovered helps the skin get extra crispy during baking.

Can you overcook chicken thighs?

While you can overcook chicken thighs, it is more difficult than overcooking chicken breasts. This is another reason I love cooking chicken thighs. Baking until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees results in juicy meat.

How long to bake chicken thighs?

It will take about 35-45 minutes to bake these chicken thighs.

Is it better to bake chicken at 350 or 400?

I prefer baking chicken thighs at 400 degrees F. The thighs cook quicker and produce crispier skin, and the chicken is more flavorful due to faster browning.

Why are my baked chicken thighs rubbery?

There are two main culprits: overcooked chicken that zaps moisture and undercooked chicken that does not reach a high enough temperature to melt collagen, the rubbery stuff. Aim for juicy inside, golden-brown outside, and 165°F internal temperature for perfect thighs!

Do you put water in the pan when baking chicken?

You don’t need to add water to the pan when baking chicken. Doing so can lead to soggy skin and steamed, rather than roasted, flavor.

More Chicken Recipes

  1. Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos
  2. Chicken Divan Casserole
  3. Crockpot Whole Chicken
  4. Old Fashioned Chicken and Noodles
  5. Chicken Barley Soup
  6. Chicken Enchilada Casserole
  7. Cranberry Chicken Salad with Pecans
  8. Stovetop Chicken Souvlaki
  9. Grilled BBQ Chicken
  10. Baked BBQ Chicken Drumsticks

Watch How To Make It

I aim to cater to different learning styles. If you prefer learning by watching, watch a video of this recipe below.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (11)

Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

Author A Food Folks and Fun Original

Recipe Cost $ $10.26

Serving Cost $ $2.57

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 35 minutes minutes

Total Time 40 minutes minutes

4 people

This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is ready to eat in just 40 minutes. When chicken thighs are roasted in the oven, they are so juicy with deliciously crispy skin.

Equipment

  • 9×13-inch baking dish

  • Measuring spoons

  • small bowl

  • mixing spoon

  • Instant-read thermometer

Ingredients

Instructions

PREP OVEN AND BAKING DISH:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.

PREP CHICKEN:

  • Trim the chicken thighs of excess fat.

  • Brush olive oil over the chicken thighs.

  • In a small bowl, combine the salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and parsley.

  • Sprinkle the seasoning blend over both sides of the chicken thighs and place them in the prepared baking dish.

BAKE:

  • Bake in the preheated oven, uncovered, for 30-40 minutes or until the internal temperature reads 165 degrees. The time varies depending on how big the chicken thighs are.

Notes

  • You can use boneless skinless thighs for this recipe if you prefer.
  • I like to spoon some of the chicken juices about 10 minutes before it is finished to help everything crisp up in the final moments.
  • You can increase the spice for this recipe by adding a pinch of chili powder and cayenne.

Nutrition

Serving: 2chicken thighs | Calories: 561kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 37g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 221mg | Sodium: 756mg | Potassium: 482mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 0.05g | Vitamin A: 301IU | Vitamin C: 0.04mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 2mg

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Jillian

I’m Jillian, the creator behind Food Folks and Fun. I have over 30 years of experience cooking for others. There’s nothing I love more than cooking for my family. Food is love, and cooking isn’t just putting a meal on a plate: It’s putting a little part of myself into that meal.

Easy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs in only 40 Minutes! • Food Folks and Fun (2024)

FAQs

Is 40 minutes long enough to cook chicken thighs? ›

The USDA guidelines lists approximate cooking times of 40 to 50 minutes for 4-to-8-ounce chicken thighs roasted at 350 degrees. In our basic meal prep boneless chicken thighs recipe, they take about 25 to 30 minutes baked at 425 degrees F.

Is it better to cover chicken thighs when baking? ›

But I know you are wondering– should you cover chicken thighs when they are baking? The simple answer is, no. We don't cover our skin-on chicken thighs because we want that skin to get nice and crispy!

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400? ›

Chicken thighs can be baked anywhere between 350 and 425 degrees, but at 400 or 425 degrees, they have enough time to get super tender while still having the heat they need to crisp up the skin. Should you cover chicken thighs in the oven? For baking, it is not necessary to cover chicken thighs.

What temperature should chicken thighs be baked at? ›

In an oven preheated to 375 degrees F, chicken thighs should be fully cooked after about half an hour. You'll know they're done when an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F.

Do I cover chicken in the oven? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results.

Do chicken thighs get more tender the longer you cook them? ›

Dark meat has an abundant amount of connective tissue, which dissolves into gelatin as the meat cooks, rendering it juicy and tender. The longer it cooks, the more that connective tissue breaks down.

At what temp are chicken thighs most tender? ›

For the ultimate juicy and tender chicken thigh experience, aim for an internal temp between 175 and 185 F. Any temperature higher than that can dry out or burn your meat, but the perfect 175° to 185° range will get you well above the minimum safe temperature and maximize the poultry's flavor potential.

Can you overcook chicken thighs in the oven? ›

Since they have a higher fat content and retain moisture during cooking, it's more difficult to overcook chicken thighs than it is to overcook chicken breasts. Particularly if you buy bone-in chicken thighs, they mostly just fall off of the bone if you leave them in the oven too long!

Should I bake chicken thighs on top or bottom rack? ›

Chicken is best cooked on the middle rack.

What are the correct temperatures to cook chicken breasts and thighs? ›

The USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recommends cooking whole chicken and parts of chicken (like the breasts, legs, thighs, wings and giblets), ground poultry, and stuffing to 165 degrees F.

What is the USDA temp for chicken thighs? ›

When cooking pieces, breasts, drumsticks, thighs, and wings should be cooked until they reach a safe minimum internal temperature of 165°F.

Can you cook chicken for 40 minutes? ›

Roast the chicken uncovered for 30 to 40 minutes.

I know that seems like quite the range, but smaller, thinner breasts cook more quickly. Start checking the chicken for doneness at about 25 minutes.

Is 45 minutes enough to cook chicken? ›

In general, bone-in, skin-on thighs with skin will take 45 to 50 minutes to roast in a 350-degree F oven. The factors that may influence the timing are what you're baking the chicken thighs in and how much room there is between each piece of chicken.

How long does it take to fully cook chicken thighs? ›

The key is to cook the chicken thighs in a 400 degree F oven for 50 minutes. This will allow for the skin to get crispy and the meat to be juicy. If you are not sure the chicken is ready, just poke it wit a knife. If the juices run clear it's done.

Is 30 minutes long enough to cook chicken? ›

Cooking tips

Bake a 4-oz. chicken breast at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C).

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