How To Make Baked Chicken Thighs
Learn how to make the best baked chicken thighs at home with this essential recipe that’s flavorful and juicy. Just perfect!
I’ve heard from many readers loud and clear: Inflation is kicking your butt.
Grocery prices are skyrocketing. Supply chain issues have you scrambling for often-pricier substitutes.
The fix? Make lots of little changes to your grocery shopping and learn some meal planning tips. Like filling your pantry with low-cost staples. Not grocery shopping while you’re hungry. And coming up with lower-cost substitutes for some of your favorite foods:
For example: Switching from boneless, skinless chicken breast to cheaper dark meat cuts.
Chicken thighs are delicious. You just have to know how to make them.
Why Chicken Thighs?
If you’re used to cooking with chicken breasts, it might be time to consider switching things up occasionally and making chicken thighs. Why?
Dark meat chicken (thighs and drumsticks) is cheaper than white meat.
The perfect baked chicken thighs, in my opinion:
- Are well seasoned
- Are juicy
- Have a crispy crust
Try this baked BBQ chicken thigh recipe
Marinating The Chicken
The longer you marinate the chicken, the more flavor it will have.
If you don’t have time for a 4+ hour marinate, you can still use the marinade to bake the chicken in.
The marinade recipe, below, contains a great mix of sour, savory, and sweet. I used Cajun seasoning in the marinade, but you can certainly substitute Greek seasoning, Italian seasoning, or another favorite seasoning blend you have on hand.
Making Juicy, Crispy-Crusted, Flat-Out Awesome Chicken Thighs At Home: The Process
Read through this process to get an idea of how to make the chicken thighs. Scroll down for detailed recipe:
- Marinate chicken for 4+ hours (recipe below)
- Preheat oven to 415 (Don’t skip preheating – it needs to be hot!)
- Place chicken on a baking sheet, and pour marinade over chicken (don’t forget to rub the marinade under the skin for maximum flavor)
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until inside is cooked through and registers 165F
- Broil for 2 minutes to really crisp up the chicken skin
- Top with fresh parsley and serve with lemon slices on the side
Switching from white meat chicken to dark meat chicken will help you save money. Chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks, and leg quarters are all affordable cuts.
I bought a 2.5 lb package of chicken thighs for $6.50 at Hy-Vee. All in all, this recipe cost about $8 to feed 5 people (with leftovers).
Baked Chicken Thighs
For best results and the most flavor, allow the chicken to marinate for 4+ hours (or overnight). Additionally, pour the marinade over the chicken before cooking and rub it under the skin for maximum flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 to 2.5 lbs bone-in chicken thighs
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning blened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/4 cup Dorothy Lynch Dressing & Condiment, French dressing, or Western dressing
- Salt and pepper
Instructions
- Place chicken thighs in a large bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix all other ingredients. Pour over chicken and mix well to ensure chicken is evenly coated. Allow to marinate for 4+ hours.
- Preheat oven to 415F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy clean-up. Place chicken thighs, skin up, evenly spaced out. Pour marinade over the chicken, and rub the marinade under the chicken skin for maximum flavor.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes - until middle of chicken registers 165F in the middle. Then, turn the oven to broil and bake for an additional 2 minutes or so, so skin gets crispy.
So juicy and looking very delicious
Great recipe! Chicken thighs were so well seasoned and delicious!