How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs?

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs: There’s no one-size-fits-all method for oven-baking chicken breasts or thighs. Please keep reading to find out how long to bake and how to bake it effectively.

The precise baking time for chicken thighs is contingent upon multiple parameters, including their dimensions and thickness and whether they are bone-in or boneless. Smaller chicken thighs will cook faster.

Although bone-in chicken thighs may require 30 to 35 minutes at the same temperature, boneless, skinless chicken thighs can be baked at 375°F for 20 to 25 minutes as a general guideline.

For the final two to three minutes of cooking, broil the chicken thighs if you want the skin to be crispy. Make sure the skin of the chicken doesn’t burn by keeping a watch on it.

Knowing if Baked Chicken Thighs are Healthy

Chicken is a fantastic substitute for red meat, particularly if you’re trying to cut back on saturated fats. Chicken thighs are a fantastic source of protein, and we particularly appreciate that they have elements like iron and zinc that strengthen the immune system.

To cook our chicken thighs in a somewhat healthier way, we bake them in the oven. In addition, we’ve used essential ingredients like spices and olive oil rather than breading or frying our chicken thighs in butter or other overly refined oils.

Try one of these side dishes with our oven-baked chicken thighs if you’d like to go veggie-heavy:

Simple Italian Salad
Perfectly Roasted Broccoli
Pesto Green Beans
Moroccan Beet Salad

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How to Cook Chicken Thighs in the Oven?

It only takes a few easy steps to make this delicious oven-baked chicken thigh recipe, which will quickly become your go-to:

Thoroughly Season the Chicken With Kosher Salt

Dry-pat eight chicken thighs. Carefully season the chicken pieces on both sides and under the skin with kosher salt when seasoning. Applying the seasoning underneath the skin is crucial because many people don’t eat the skin. When making the rub, set the chicken aside for a short period.

Make the Chicken Rub

Mix five tablespoons tomato paste, ⅓ cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil, and one lemon juice to form this wet rub. Add one teaspoon of each of the following: cumin, smoked paprika, dried oregano, and black pepper. Add four minced cloves of garlic. Blend thoroughly. Although thick, the rub can be spread.

Coat the Chicken With the Rub

Apply the rub all over the chicken pieces, being sure to get inside the skins for maximum flavor, just like you did with the salt.

Put Together and Bake

Arrange a large 9 x 13″ baking dish and lightly brush the bottom with olive oil. Place a few onion slices in the dish’s bottom to serve as a bed for the chicken. On top of the onions, arrange the chicken.

And just for fun, sandwich some tomato and onion slices between the chicken thighs—the liquids from the onions and tomatoes will seep into the chicken while it cooks, adding even more flavor.

Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, on the middle rack of a preheated 425 degrees Fahrenheit oven. To obtain crispy, golden brown skins, broil them for a few minutes.

How Do You Reheat Chicken Without Drying it Out?

Reheating chicken can be done in a few different ways, but the two most popular methods are in the oven or microwave.

1. Use the oven: Turn the oven on to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and cover a baking sheet with foil. To fully encase the chicken in the aluminum foil, place it in the center of the sheet and draw up the sides. Cook the food until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

2. Put the chicken in a safe microwave dish: You can brush the chicken with olive oil to keep it moist.

Cook the dish for two to three minutes at a time, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 F, while covered with plastic wrap that is safe to use in the microwave. Avoid touching the chicken with ordinary plastic wrap since it may transfer chemicals to the flesh.

What are the Variations for Making the Best Baked Chicken Thighs?

The most excellent oven-baked chicken thighs can be made in various ways. All other cases apply to the same cooking process. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 375°F or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Here are some suggestions:

1. Lemon and Garlic Chicken Thighs: For at least half an hour, marinate chicken thighs in a mixture of lemon juice, chopped garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 375°F or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.

2. BBQ Chicken Thighs: Apply your preferred barbecue sauce or seasoning to the thighs.

3. Teriyaki Chicken Thighs: For at least half an hour, marinate chicken thighs in soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, ginger, and minced garlic. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 375°F or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.

4. Paprika Chicken Thighs: Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and smoked paprika.

5. Honey Mustard Chicken Thighs: Combine the olive oil, honey, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Apply the blend to the chicken thighs.

6. Italian Chicken Thighs: Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Add fresh basil leaves, mozzarella cheese, and tomato slices on top. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 400°F or until the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Use a meat thermometer every time to ensure the chicken is cooked through and to the proper internal temperature.

How Long Should You Bake Chicken Thighs at 400 F?

For those who want a tasty meal that is inexpensive and simple to make, baked chicken thighs are a great option.

You can eat them any night of the week; they are among the most popular chicken recipes. There are several ways to bake chicken thighs, but for optimal results, ensure you bake them for the recommended length.

While you can use different sauces, marinades, and seasonings to flavor your chicken thighs, the cooking time will not change.

Bake the chicken thighs for 30 to 35 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit in a preheated oven to ensure they are cooked. There shouldn’t be any blood or pinkness in the middle of their thigh, and their internal temperature should be 165°F.

There are so many different ways to prepare Mexican, Italian, French, Indian, and pretty much any other kind of food with chicken thighs.

Why Bake Chicken Thighs at 400° Fahrenheit?

To guarantee that chicken thighs are thoroughly cooked without losing their moisture content, bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Because cooking chicken thighs at a higher temperature can cause them to dry out, this is the perfect temperature for baking them.

To achieve a crispy skin on your chicken thighs, roast them for the first few minutes at a temperature above 400 degrees Fahrenheit or sear them in a pan before putting them in the oven. But you can bake chicken thighs perfectly without changing the temperature, so don’t bother.

What if the Chicken Thighs are a Different Size?

You must alter the cooking time if your chicken thighs differ in size from those used in this recipe. Bake the smaller chicken thighs for around 30 to 35 minutes. Bake the larger chicken thighs for 35 to 40 minutes.

They are safe to eat if the chicken thighs are cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. Check the internal temperature of the chicken thighs using a meat thermometer, and take them out of the oven as soon as they are 165°F.

Should You Leave the Skin On?

When baking, the skin of the chicken thighs keeps the meat fresh and moist. Nevertheless, you can peel the skin before cooking if you’re careful how much fat you eat. Skin-off chicken thighs will still taste great, although they might be drier than skin-on thighs.

Make sure to pat the skin dry before adding spice if you keep it on. This will keep the skin from getting soggy and help the seasonings stick to the chicken.

Additionally, you can lightly coat the thighs with olive oil to aid in roasting the skin and produce a beautiful, crispy, and flaky exterior.

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How Will Deboning the Thighs Affect the Baking Time?

You must shorten the cooking time if you decide to debone the chicken thighs before baking them.

This is because the chicken thighs will cook more quickly after being deboned, making them thinner. Deboning the chicken thighs will, however, also increase their susceptibility to drying out.

As a result, it’s critical to monitor them while baking and take them out of the oven as soon as the temperature reaches 165°F.

Another option is to take them out once they hit 160° and leave them until their internal temperature reaches 165°. They’ll be soft and moist but safe to consume in this way.

Bottom Line

Chicken thighs, like chicken breasts, are heavy in fat and calories due to their darker meat. Nevertheless, both types of chicken are excellent sources of protein. Taking off the skin before or after the meat is cooked can reduce the fat in chicken thighs.

Oven-cooking chicken thighs can be done in various tasty ways, such as baking them for 25–35 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit or cooking frozen thighs for 50–60 minutes.

Regardless of your chosen method, using a meat thermometer to verify the internal temperature and letting the chicken rest before serving are essential steps.

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs?