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For a long time, I was intimidated by oven-baked bone-in chicken thighs.I’ve been making Juicy Grilled Chicken Breast For years, but chicken thighs are a new thing. I don’t like meat with bones, so it took some time to work out.Let’s say I’m glad I did because this crispy baked chicken thigh recipe has become one of my favorite ways to make it chicken!
The good news is that roasting chicken thighs is easier than you might think. This recipe is almost foolproof, so whether you’ve never baked chicken thighs or have done it a hundred times, you can.
Chicken is one of my favorite protein options for dinner, so I have no shortage of options on Wholesome Yum!If you like drumsticks, be sure to try mine Air Fryer Chicken Thighs, Baked Balsamic Chicken Thighs, Garlic Chicken Thighsor Cilantro Lime Chicken next time.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Seasoned with garlic and herbs
- The meat is tender and juicy, and the skin is crispy
- Only 5 ingredients + some pantry staples
- Fast preparation time
- Versatile – use anything and everything for this crispy baked chicken thigh recipe

ingredients you need
This section explains how to choose the best ingredients for oven-baked bone-in chicken thighs, the role of each ingredient in the recipe, and substitution options. See recipe card below for measurements.
Chicken Thighs:
I prefer to use organic chicken, but the most important thing is that your chicken thighs are bone-in, skin-on. This is a must for extra crispy grilled chicken thighs!
This recipe will not work with boneless skinless chicken thighs as we will be putting the butter under the skin.
Subcutaneous Compound Butter:
The butter under the skin keeps the chicken juicy and adds flavor, while the skin protects the butter and fresh herbs from the heat of the oven.
- butter – I prefer grass-fed butter for its nutrition and flavor, but you can use any unsalted butter.
- garlic – Use whole garlic cloves as we are going to crush them.
- fresh herbs – Fresh parsley and dill.
- sea salt
To season chicken thighs:
The seasoning on the skin ensures that the skin has a lot of flavor, we use oil instead of butter here because it has a higher smoke point and will be exposed to direct heat.
- Avocado Oil – You can also use any other vegetable oil or olive oil.
- spices – smoked paprika and garlic powder.
- sea salt and black pepper

How to Roast Chicken Thighs in the Oven
This section describes how to make roasted chicken thighs in the oven, with step-by-step photos and details about the technique. See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Make compound butter. In a small bowl, mash the butter. Add crushed garlic, fresh parsley, fresh dill and sea salt.
hint: You can use other versions of Compound Butter here. I use the simplest garlic salt and fresh herbs.
- Seasoned chicken. Put the compound butter under the skin of the chicken and press the skin down to spread it around.
hint: Put your hand under the skin of the chicken to separate it from the chicken belowso that the compound butter can be spread easily.


- Seasoned chicken. Place chicken on a lined baking sheet (or you can use a baking sheet mounted rack for more air movement). Pat the chicken skin with paper towels, then drizzle the chicken with oil on both sides. Sprinkle with sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and black pepper.
- Grilled chicken thighs. Place chicken skin-side down on a baking sheet, then flip and continue to bake until done.
hint: use one meat thermometer Check that the drumsticks are done. The internal temperature should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Take a 5 minute break. This will allow the juices to settle into the meat, making your chicken thighs super juicy.


What is the temperature for roasting chicken thighs?
I recommend roasting the chicken thighs at 450 degrees F, as the heat will make the skin super crispy and juicy on the inside. You can also bake them at 400 or 425 degrees Fahrenheit, but it will take longer.
Actually, I don’t recommend oven roasting chicken thighs at a lower temperature of 350 or even 375. Not only did it take longer, but the meat was less tender and the skin less crispy in my tests.
How long does it take to bake chicken thighs?
The oven takes 22-28 minutes to bake chicken thighs at 450°F, but it is best to use meat thermometer Cook it to perfection.
Can you bake frozen chicken thighs?
No, it is not recommended to bake frozen chicken thighs as they cook unevenly. When everything is cooked, some parts will dry out. Thaw chicken thighs before baking.
Storage Instructions
- Shop: Place any remaining crispy bones in the chicken thighs in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Meal preparation: Make compound butter a day or two in advance. You can also keep it under the skin, season it on top if you like, and bake it when it’s ready to eat. Alternatively, you can cook the chicken thighs completely ahead of time and then reheat.
- Reheat: Reheat chicken in a 350°F oven until hot. If the skin is still not crispy enough, you can turn up the heat for a few minutes at the end.
- freeze: Freeze chicken in an airtight container for 2-3 months.

what to do with chicken thighs
Serve these crispy oven-baked chicken thighs with an easy side dish:
Easier Chicken Recipes
Readers’ Favorite Recipes
The recipe card is below! Readers who made this also checked out these recipes:
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
Learn how to make crispy baked chicken thighs in the oven, perfect every time! This easy oven-roasted chicken thigh recipe is juicy on the inside and crispy on the outside with simple ingredients.
Prepare: 15 minute
chef: 25 minute
All: 40 minute
Serving Size: 8 (Adjust the scale recipe)
Recipe Videos
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raw material
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instruct
Tap the time in the instructions below to start the kitchen timer while cooking.
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In a small bowl, mash the butter with a fork.
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Add garlic, fresh herbs and salt. Mash again.
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Place the chicken thighs on the baking sheet, skin side up. Put your hand under the skin of the chicken to separate it from the chicken underneath. Place a dollop of compound butter under the skin and press down on the skin to spread underneath.
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Drizzle olive oil on both sides of chicken. Sprinkle both sides with sea salt, smoked paprika, garlic powder and black pepper.
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Roast chicken thighs in the oven, skin side down, for 10 minutes.
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Flip the chicken thighs so the skin is facing up.bake another 15 minutes around until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit (74 degrees Celsius). Rest 5 minutes before serving.
recipe notes
Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
nutrient content
Amount per serving. Serving Sizes in Recipe Instructions Above.
Calories 446
fat 35.4 g
protein 29.9 hours
total carbohydrates 0.7g
net carbs 0.5g
fiber 0.2g
sugar 0.1g
Nutrition Facts are provided as a courtesy. Have questions about the calculation or why you get different results?see our nutrition policy.
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