30-min Oven Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – perfect go-to recipe for any night of the week, these seasoned chicken thighs turn out juicy and tender every time!
Chicken is usually in our weekly meal rotation, and I think thighs are the way to go. They are tender and full of flavor and don’t require much in the way of prep. Perfect companion to homemade scalloped potatoes!
In this recipe, each chicken thigh is coated in a super flavorful homemade spice mix of brown sugar, paprika, chili, garlic, onion, and thyme. The spices give the chicken a real flavor boost!
You can choose to marinate the thighs until you are ready to cook them or bake them right away. Either way, the thighs will turn out juicy and mouth-watering!
I can’t wait to hear what you think of this easy chicken thighs recipe!
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Oven Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs – here is what you will need to make it:
- Boneless skinless chicken thighs – You’ll need 6 – 8 thighs for this recipe, depending on their size. Make sure to remove any visible fat.
- For the spice mix – Brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, salt, and pepper. This blend has a bit of a sweet and spicy BBQ flavor. You can always customize the mix to match your tastes.
- Avocado oil or butter – Oil gives some added flavor to the thighs and helps them to brown. I use avocado oil because it has a lower smoke point than olive oil. If you’re using butter, you can either melt it and pour it over the chicken or cut it into small cubes and dot it over the thighs before baking in the oven.
Scroll down to print this recipe and see how to bake chicken thighs in the oven.
How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs in the Oven
It’s simple to prepare and uses ingredients you probably already have in your pantry!
Step 1: Season the chicken. First, whisk the spice mix ingredients together in a large bowl. Add the chicken thighs and turn them around in the spices to make sure they are fully coated on both sides.
Step 2: Prepare to bake. When baking chicken thighs, I use a lined baking sheet with foil paper, or a seasoned cast iron skillet. Next, add the thighs to the baking sheet or skillet and pour over a small amount of avocado oil or melted butter.
Step 3: Bake. After, bake the thighs for 20 – 30 minutes, flipping on the other side once. You’ll know the chicken is done when they reach 165F on a kitchen thermometer.
Step 4: Enjoy!
Tips for Making this Recipe
- Switch up the spices. I’ve listed the spices that I love to use on my chicken thighs but go ahead and get creative when making your own spice mix. Leave things out, add things in – as long as it tastes delicious to you, you can’t go wrong!
- Create a charred look. If you’d like your thighs to have more of a BBQ charred look, you can pop them under the broiler for a minute or two after baking. Make sure to keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Marinate Chicken Thighs Overnight?
If you want to get ahead in your prep, you can toss the chicken thighs in the seasoning the night before you are planning to serve them and then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to bake them.
Can I Use Chicken Breasts Instead of Thighs?
You totally can, but I think chicken thighs are ultimately more flavorful and juicier than chicken breasts.
When using chicken breasts, I suggest lowering the oven temperature and adjusting the cooking time as they have a tendency to dry out.
How Long Should I Bake Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs in the Oven?
Bake them at 425F for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
The best way to see if the chicken is done is to test the temperature with a kitchen thermometer. Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the meat without going all the way through. The temperature should read 165F.
How Do I store Cooked Chicken Thighs?
Store leftover cooked chicken thighs in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for to 2-3 days.
What to Serve with Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
There’s no end to delicious side dishes that go great with these chicken thighs. Some of my favorites are:
- Easy Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Mashed Potatoes with Pasta and Cheese
- Loaded Potatoes with Cheese
- Cheesy mashed potatoes
How to Use Leftover Chicken Thighs
Leftovers! There are so many ways to use them:
- Chop them up and add to a salad
- Make spicy chicken salad sandwiches
- Add them to cheesy quesadillas
- Shred them and add them to a bowl of soup
- Make chicken fried rice
Check Out More DELICIOUS Dinner Recipes
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30-min Oven Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs fat removed
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup avocado oil or butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F. In a mixing bowl whisk all of the spices except chicken thighs and oil.
- Add chicken thighs to the bowl and coat both sides.
- Using a cast iron skillet or a baking sheet lined with foil paper, add chicken thighs and pour 1/4 cup of avocado oil or butter over the meat.Bake for 20-30 minutes (flipping on the other side once) or until chicken is cooked thru and reads 165F when using thermometer. Serve with Scalloped Potatoes, enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Q. Do YOU like this Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe?
Please let me know in the comments below I would love to hear from you!
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Was so easy and tastes great. I served it on a bed of steamed rice.
Thank you Kelly!
This is exceptionally good, especially given how easy it is! I will be adding it to the rotation, and while hubs isn’t home to eat it yet, I’m sure he is going to love it. I made smashed potatoes and garden beets for sides. Yum. Thank-you for the awesome recipe!!
Thank you, Michelle for sharing your recipe review! 🙂
Oh yeah! It is now in my repertoire.
Easy, yummy.
So happy to hear this, Elaine! Thank you!
It was delicious and easy!
Thank you, Karen!
Delicious chicken this is on the rotation. I serve it with black beans and yellow rice. Very colorful dinner!
Thank you, Kathy! That sounds delicious!
Delicious and easy with ingredients on hand!
Thank you, Jenice!
I needed a quick and easy recipe for dinner and this was perfect! I cut the oil/butter out to save the calories, but I’ll definitely be making this again!
Thank you, Lara! I love hearing your feedback!
These are so yummy 🙂 I have made them several times now. A perfect flavour combination and great for picky eaters! I make this regularly and pair with a garlic butter rice. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thank you, Rebecca! So happy you like this recipe!
I overcooked my chicken to 185 degrees but it was still tender and juicy!
Thank you Sheila for your feedback!
LOVE this recipe, quick and delicious! Certainly adding to my dinner rotation!
Thank you, Nicole! So happy to hear this! 😀
So good and easy! I will definitely make this again.
Thank you Cindy!
I didn’t even like dark meat chicken until after I tried this recipe. Now, boneless skinless chicken thighs are on my weekly grocery list. Love this recipe! Thanks so much!
OMG! I am so happy to hear this Janet! 😀
OMG this recipe is absolutely the best thank you
Thank you Margie!
I don’t have brown sugar can I add honey to butter to sweeten it that way?
Hi Lindsey! That’s a great question, to be honest with you I have never done it before, but it sounds delicious. If you add honey I would do a smaller amount than brown sugar. Hope this helps!
Delicious! I will be making this dish often. Very moist and flavorful.
Thank you, Dawn!
Loved the chicken! Followed the recipe exactly. Used foil lined baking pan instead of skillet. Would like to make this frequently, however, after being in the oven about 15 minutes, there was smoke rolling from the oven. Oven was clean. Would very much appreciate guidance re: how avoid the smoking next time. Many thanks!
Hi Sylvia! I never experienced this before, what oil did you use?
I don’t have smoked paprika would regular paprika be ok?
Great question, Jeannette! Regular paprika will be ok to use, although it will have a little different flavor, but it can still work.
Do you melt the butter??
Yes 🙂
Hey there! If I make the dry rub and let thighs marinate overnight do I add the oil or keep it just as a dry rub then right before cooking add the oil?
Hi Trish! I haven’t marinated over night yet, but if I did I would add dry rub overnight and add oil right before baking. Hope this makes sense 😀
Thank you!! That’s what I did I will let you know how it turns out after tonight!! Thks so much
Thank you Trish!
Absolutely fantastic. Can I use this recipe on chicken breast
Thank you James! I don’t see why not, I would adjust the cooking time and bake until chicken breast is cooked thru.
I wish I would have taken a picture! The reddish brown with thyme sitting in a black cast iron skillet was beautiful. Not only did it look great it was super delicious and moist. Only thing I did different was to only use 4 thighs as there are only 2 in this house. I wrote the directions on the outside of a bag for next time I cook it. We had it with crispy maple bacon brussel sprouts and took your suggestion with scallop potatoes. Yum!
That sounds super delicious Kimberly! Thank you for an amazing recipe review!
Can you cook them at a lower temp? My stove won’t take that heat it’s too old! LOL
I don’t see why not, adjust the cooking time as well.
My husband said this is the best chicken he’s ever eaten! I’ll definitely be cooking this regularly! Thank you! I’m following you on Pinterest and I’ll look you up and follow on Instagram too. I’ll hashtag there if there’s anything left for me to take a photo of! Lol! 😄🙏💖
Thank you Chris, for your awesome recipe review. I would love to see a picture of your creation 😀
These were amazing! The flavors were wonderful. I will definitely make them again.
Thank you! 🙂
These were awesome. The flavors were wonderful. I will definitely make these again.
Thank you, so happy you liked it!
Delicious – next time I will use leftover spices with chicken broth and butter to make additional sauce to pour over rice and chicken.
I used 8-10 boneless skinless thighs, doubled the spice recipe.
Thank you Patty! 😀 Sounds like a great plan!