Description
Juicy baked chicken thighs emerge as a delectable main course from a simple yet flavorful preparation. Crispy skin and tender meat promise a satisfying meal that connects home cooks with classic comfort flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice (optional, for brightness)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat the oven to 400°F and dry chicken thighs thoroughly with paper towels to ensure a perfectly crisp exterior.
- Seasoning: Blend salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and cayenne pepper. Drizzle olive oil over chicken and massage spice mixture comprehensively, guaranteeing full flavor infusion and even coating.
- Roasting: Position chicken skin-side up on a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet. Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, tracking internal temperature until it reaches 165°F and skin becomes golden and crisp.
- Finishing: Activate broiler on high for final minutes, carefully monitoring to achieve a caramelized, crackling skin without burning. After removing from oven, let chicken rest briefly to redistribute juices and intensify flavors.
- Serving: Optional: Enhance the dish with a fresh lemon juice squeeze, adding a bright, zesty note to the richly seasoned chicken thighs.
Notes
- Moisture Management: Pat chicken thighs completely dry before seasoning to ensure maximum skin crispiness and prevent steaming instead of roasting.
- Spice Distribution: Massage seasonings thoroughly into chicken’s surface, creating an even flavor profile and helping the spices adhere during cooking.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature hits exactly 165°F, guaranteeing safe cooking without drying out the meat.
- Crispy Skin Technique: Position chicken skin-side up and avoid overcrowding the pan to promote optimal browning and prevent soggy results.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 520 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg