Introduction
Looking for a chicken tender recipe that’s both juicy and flavorful without complicated steps? This oven-baked version is the answer. Made with bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and a pantry-friendly spice blend, this dish delivers crispy skin, juicy meat, and a no-fuss cleanup thanks to foil-lined baking. It’s the kind of dependable dinner recipe you’ll turn to again and again, especially on busy weeknights.
Inspiration
Looking for more delicious dinner inspiration?
Browse our Easy Chicken Recipes 🐔 — perfect for busy nights and family favorites! Or pick one to try next:
General Tips
Start by preheating your oven fully—this ensures the chicken gets that crisp, golden-brown skin from the start. Use bone-in, skin-on thighs for maximum flavor and moisture. Lining your baking sheet with foil and spraying it with cooking spray prevents sticking and makes cleanup a breeze. Be generous with your spice blend and don’t skip the paprika—it adds color and subtle smokiness.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This recipe is all about minimal ingredients, maximum flavor. The combination of garlic salt, onion salt, and dried herbs gives it that classic roast chicken taste with very little effort. Baking the chicken thighs skin-side up renders the fat and leaves the skin crisp. There’s no need for flipping, frying, or breading—just pop it in the oven and let it do the work. Serve it with rice, roasted veggies, or a simple salad and dinner is done.
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Recipe – Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs
- Total Time: 70 Minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
Description
Crispy, oven-baked chicken thighs seasoned with herbs and spices for an easy, flavorful dinner.
Ingredients
- Cooking spray
- 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- ¼ teaspoon garlic salt
- ¼ teaspoon onion salt
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon ground thyme
- ¼ teaspoon ground paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray.
- Arrange chicken thighs skin-side up on the sheet.
- In a small bowl, combine garlic salt, onion salt, oregano, thyme, paprika, and pepper. Mix well.
- Sprinkle seasoning liberally over chicken.
- Bake for 1 hour, or until skin is crispy and internal temp reads 165°F (74°C).
Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
For extra crispiness, broil during the last 3 minutes. Leftovers make a great protein for salads or wraps the next day.
- Prep Time: 10 Minutes
- Cook Time: 60 Minutes
- Category: Chicken
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Comfort
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 310kcal
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 390mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: Baked Chicken
FAQs
Can I use boneless, skinless chicken thighs instead?
Yes, but reduce the bake time to about 30–35 minutes and know that you’ll miss out on the crispy skin.
What if I don’t have garlic salt or onion salt?
Use garlic powder and onion powder, then add a pinch of salt separately to achieve the same balance.
Can I prep this in advance?
Absolutely. You can season the chicken up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerate it for deeper flavor.
Do I need to turn the chicken during baking?
Nope! Keeping it skin-side up throughout the baking time helps the skin get crispy without flipping.
What should I serve with it?
This pairs well with mashed potatoes, green beans, corn on the cob, or even mac and cheese.
Conclusion
This baked chicken tender recipe hits the sweet spot between convenience and craveable comfort food. It’s quick to prepare, only requires one pan, and uses seasonings you likely already have on hand. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal prepping for the week, these herbed chicken thighs are a go-to you’ll keep in your rotation.
Looking for more easy chicken dinners? Try this roundup of healthy baked chicken thigh recipes from EatingWell