Crispy Baked Bone-In Chicken Thighs (Printable)

Enjoy perfectly golden and juicy baked chicken thighs with irresistible crispy skin, seasoned with a smoky blend.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 3–3.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 8 pieces)

→ Seasoning

02 - 2 tbsp olive oil or avocado oil
03 - 2 tsp kosher salt (or 1 tsp fine sea salt)
04 - 1½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
05 - 1½ tsp garlic powder
06 - 1 tsp onion powder
07 - 1½ tsp smoked paprika (or sweet paprika)
08 - 1½ tsp dried thyme
09 - 1½ tsp dried oregano
10 - ½ tsp dried rosemary, crumbled
11 - ½ tsp aluminum-free baking powder

→ To Serve

12 - 1 lemon, cut into wedges
13 - Fresh parsley, finely chopped

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Remove chicken thighs from the refrigerator 20–30 minutes before cooking to bring them closer to room temperature for even cooking.
02 - Pat each thigh very dry on all sides with paper towels—excess moisture prevents skin from crisping properly.
03 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven for optimal browning.
04 - Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and set a wire rack on top if available. If not, place thighs directly on the foil-lined pan.
05 - In a small bowl, combine salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, rosemary, and baking powder. Mix thoroughly until evenly blended.
06 - Place chicken thighs in a large bowl or on a tray. Drizzle with olive oil and rub to coat evenly on all sides.
07 - Sprinkle the spice mixture over the chicken, focusing on the skin side. Rub seasoning thoroughly into the skin and flesh.
08 - Arrange thighs skin-side up on the rack or baking sheet, leaving space between each piece for proper air circulation.
09 - Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the skin is deep golden and crisp and the internal temperature reaches 175–190°F in the thickest part.
10 - For extra-crispy skin, broil on high for 1–3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
11 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5–10 minutes on the pan to allow juices to redistribute.
12 - Transfer to a serving platter. Garnish with parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The skin gets impossibly crispy without any frying mess or guilt
  • Dark meat stays juicy and tender even if you accidentally overcook by a few minutes
  • The spice blend hits every smoky, savory note that makes people ask for seconds
02 -
  • Patting the chicken completely dry is the single most important step for crispy skin
  • The baking powder trick works by altering the pH of the skin and helping it crisp faster
  • Dark meat needs to reach a higher temperature than white meat for the best texture
03 -
  • Salt the thighs the night before and leave them uncovered in the refrigerator for the crispiest skin possible
  • A meat thermometer takes all the guesswork out and ensures juicy results every single time
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