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By Courtney ODell
May 17, 2020, Updated Nov 22, 2021
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The best easy baked chicken thighs recipe – easy, perfect crunchy baked chicken thighs that are juicy and moist, with a crunchy outside using simple ingredients you already have on hand!
This baked chicken thigh recipe is my favorite way to make crispy baked thighs that won’t dry out, right out of the oven.
This recipe is easy enough for beginners – simply season and bake – but flavorful enough for cooks used to more complicated recipes.
You can also top it with my favorite Easy Broccoli Pesto for a delicious kick on this classic chicken.
This baked chicken thigh recipe is naturally gluten free and low carb – making this a keto chicken thigh recipe you’ll want to eat again and again if sticking to a keto diet.
Just Take Me To The Best Baked Chicken Thighs Already!
I get lots of comments and questions on my posts, so I try to provide as much information as possible into my posts for readers.
I try to provide lots of tips to help make this chicken great every time you make it – including why this method works and how to troubleshoot.
If you would rather skip to the recipe, please scroll to the bottom of the page where you will find the easy printable recipe.
Tips to Perfect Crunchy Baked Chicken Thighs
Pre-sear
This step is optional, but I personally love to brown my chicken thighs in a pan for the best results.
Brown chicken thighs in a large, heavy cast iron skillet in 2 tbsp olive oil, butter, or fat of your choice – about 2 minutes on each side until just golden brown, and transfer to a baking sheet.
Roll out
For crispier, faster cooking chicken, I roll the thighs flat.
This can look a little weird – but it allows for your chicken to cook evenly – no over cooking the outside while the middle is raw!
Use Parchment Paper
For easy, effortless cleanup, place chicken on parchment paper so they slide right off and you can throw the mess away!
Go Off Temperature, Not Cooking Time
As chicken thighs can vary wildly with size, liquid, and bones/skin – not to mention ovens vary- I recommend using a digital cooking thermometer to know when your chicken is done cooking.
For the best thermometer (that doesn’t involve constantly opening the oven!!) I LOVE these probe thermometers that send an update on temperature straight to your smart phone!
Click here for the thermometer.
What Type of Chicken Thighs to Bake
If you’re wondering whether to pick boneless or skinless chicken thighs, the answer is easy – pick what you like the best!
I am providing recipe modifications for either bone-in or bone-out chicken; skin-on or skin-off chicken.
Boneless and skinless chicken thighs will cook faster, and are easy to eat. They also have less fat, and are easier to tell when they are done.
Bone-in, skin-on chicken will get even crispier and crunchier – and tends to be less expensive, though it does take a bit longer to cook.
How To Bake Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
For boneless, skinless chicken thighs, there are a couple of tips and tricks to get perfect crunchy chicken thighs that are moist and juicy inside.
How To Bake Bone-In, Skin-On Chicken Thighs
For perfect crunchy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, there are a couple tips to keep your chicken thighs crispy and juicy inside.
Crisp skin
While this recipe is for baked chicken thighs, I recommend ALWAYS browning your skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs in a pan before baking.
If you can’t pre-brown, broil your chicken thighs in the last few minutes, skin side up, to make sure it gets a lovely crunchy crisp.
How To Remove Chicken Thigh Bones
If you want to remove the bones from your chicken thighs, which is not in any way necessary but some people prefer, follow these steps:
-Unroll chicken thigh.
-Lay flat and find bones with your hands.
-Lift bones slightly to find the membrane underneath that connects it to the chicken thigh.
-Using kitchen shears, carefully cut just underneath the bone to remove it.
What To Serve With Crunchy Baked Chicken Thighs
If you’re looking for quick, easy, and delicious side dishes to go with these baked chicken thighs, please check out some of my favorites below:
What To Serve With Baked Chicken Thighs
The best sides to serve alongside perfect baked chicken thighs.
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Other Easy Keto Chicken Thigh Recipes You’ll Love:
If you love these easy baked chicken thighs, you’ll love my other simple and delicious low carb chicken thigh recipes – each one is full of whole, unprocessed foods, and is packed full of flavor – not carbs.
Easy Keto Chicken Thigh Recipes
The best easy keto chicken thigh recipes.
The Best Easy Lemon Chicken Recipe
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The Best Easy Lemon Chicken Recipe - the absolute best quick and easy lemon chicken recipe with simple ingredients and TONS of lemon chicken flavor! Recipe can be made with chicken thighs or chicken breasts, and is naturally low carb and keto diet compliant.
One Pot Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs and Mushrooms Recipe
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Creamy Garlic Chicken Thighs and Mushrooms Recipe - a hearty, creamy, keto creamy chicken and mushrooms dinner in just one pot! Your whole family will love this one pot creamy garlic chicken and mushrooms recipe.
Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs
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Easy, crunchy, delicious Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs are a super simple one pot baked chicken thigh recipe everyone loves - bursting with ranch flavor in only five ingredients! Low carb, mess free, a deliciously crunchy crust, in a huge family favorite that is sure to make anyone a fan of chicken thighs in under 40 minutes!
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Delicious and simple year round favorite, these Easy One Pan BBQ Chicken Thighs are a huge family favorite, great for picky eaters and those on low carb or keto diets, and are super simple, bursting with bbq flavor and crispy chicken thighs, in just one pan!
One Pot Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe
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Easy Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe is a one pot chicken thigh dinner guaranteed to impress even the pickiest eaters - bursting with rich lemon garlic butter flavor and crispy, crunchy chicken thighs in under 20 minutes. Perfect in salads sandwiches or wraps, over pasta & rice, or on its own with vegetables.
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Easy Air Fryer Lemon Chicken Recipe - a simple easy recipe for crisp and juicy air fried lemon chicken with under five minutes active cooking time!
The Best Easy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
The best easy baked chicken thighs recipe - easy, perfect crunchy baked chicken thighs that are juicy and moist, with a crunchy outside using simple ingredients you already have on hand!
If you love this easy and delicious chicken thigh recipe as much as I do, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and pinterest!
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The Best Easy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
Yield: 6
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
The best easy baked chicken thighs recipe - easy, perfect crunchy baked chicken thighs that are juicy and moist, with a crunchy outside using simple ingredients you already have on hand!
Ingredients
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs (see notes above if using bone-in, skin-on thighs, which are also just as flavorful in this recipe.)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp celtic sea salt
- 1 tsp fresh cracked pepper
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp lemon juice
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a bowl or plastic bag and let marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Optional - brown chicken thighs on the outside in a pan over high heat until just golden brown. (If pre-browning, reduce total cook time by 5-8 minutes.)
- Place chicken thighs on parchment paper, taking care to not space too close together.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then flip and take temperature. Bake another 10 minutes and check the chicken's temperature.
- As chicken is about 150 degrees, turn on the broiler to high and let crisp until 165 degrees internally (only about 5 minutes - take care to not burn the chicken! Watch it closely.)
- Serve immediately.
- Leftovers can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days - 3 months if frozen.
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Nutrition Information
Yield 6Serving Size 1
Amount Per ServingCalories 274Total Fat 16gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 12gCholesterol 164mgSodium 1012mgCarbohydrates 1gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 32g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated - please consult a doctor or nutritional professional for all nutrition advice.
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Categorized as:
Chicken, Chicken Thighs, gluten free, keto, Keto Chicken, Main Dishes, One Pot, paleo, Recipes
About Courtney
Courtney loves to share great wine, good food, and loves to explore far flung places- all while masting an everyday elegant and easy style at lifestyle blog Sweet C’s Designs. Sweet C's devoted to finding the best food and drinks you'll want to make or find, around the world!
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