Crispy Baked Bone-In Thighs (Print)

Irresistible baked bone-in chicken thighs with golden, crackling skin and juicy meat. Smoky spices and a quick broil for ultimate crispiness.

# Components:

→ Chicken

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

→ Seasoning Blend

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

→ Optional Garnishes

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

# Directions:

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 is the enemy of crispy skin.
03 - Preheat the oven to 425°F. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven for optimal crisping.
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 to distribute evenly.
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, concentrating on the skin side. Rub the seasoning into the skin and flesh to adhere.
08 - Arrange thighs skin-side up on the rack or baking sheet, leaving space between each piece to allow air circulation for crisping.
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—the difference is substantial.
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 chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges, if desired.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • The skin gets outrageously crispy without any frying mess
  • Dark meat stays impossibly juicy even after resting
  • The spice blend works double duty on everything from potatoes to pork chops
02 -
  • Skin only crisps properly if the chicken is patted completely dry before seasoning
  • A wire rack makes a noticeable difference but is not strictly necessary
  • Dark meat is safely cooked at 165°F but tastes best closer to 175°F to 190°F
03 -
  • For extra crispy skin, salt the chicken and refrigerate uncovered for up to 24 hours before cooking
  • Use a wire rack if you have one—air circulation makes a significant difference in skin texture
  • Let your chicken rest at least 5 minutes or you'll lose all those precious juices the moment you cut in
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