How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs (perfect every time) (2024)

Wondering how long to bake chicken thighs? In this recipe I’ll walk you through exactly how to bake chicken thighs, how long to bake them for, and how to make sure they are perfect and juicy every time! Dinner tonight is solved.

How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs

The best way to cook chicken thighs is to definitely to bake them. You’re going to bake them at 400ºF (205ºC) for 40-45 minutes. That’s it! This higher temperature and slower cooking time ensures you get the juiciest chicken every time.

This simple chicken recipe really couldn’t be easier. If you want consistently good results, minimal effort, and minimal cleanup every time then this is the recipe for you.

No guesswork. No babysitting the chicken while it cooks. No splatter mess to clean up like with pan-searing. No stress involved. And just a few simple ingredients and a few simple steps!

With this easy recipe you’ll get juicy, perfect, crispy chicken thighs every time! Guaranteed to be loved by the whole family.

Tips and tricks for making the best chicken thighs in the oven!

1. Make sure to dry your chicken. Just pat dry to remove any moisture before cooking. This is especially important if you want to get the skin nice and crispy! YUM! I like to use paper towels to dry them.
2. Season them well! To make the best chicken thighs in the oven, you’ve gotta add that seasoning.
3. Don’t undercook! Okay, I know you’re probably thinking, “wait, doesn’t she mean don’t overcook them?” Actually no. The most important thing is not to undercook chicken thighs! Let me explain… chicken is cooked through and safe to eat at 165ºF (74ºC). That’s perfect for chicken breasts. But chicken thighs have more fat and connective tissue to break down. You can eat them at 165ºF but they are going to be subpar. The best way to cook chicken thighs is to cook them to 200ºF (93ºC). This basically liquifies the fat and connective tissue and gives you that crispy outside and soft, juicy inside. Without getting a mouthful of fatty tissue. It’s also the difference between fall-off-the-bone meat and meat that sticks to the bone. I don’t know about you, but the fall-off-the-bone variety is definitely my favorite!!
4. Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before slicing or serving to allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat.

Ingredients to make oven baked chicken thighs

• 8 chicken thighs, bone-in and skin-on (approx. 3.5lb)
• 3 Tbsp salted butter or ghee (can sub olive oil for dairy free)
• 1 ½ tsp fine sea salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp paprika*
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
• Lemon wedges for serving

*Can sub smoked paprika for a smoky flavor

-Boneless chicken thighs can also be used in this recipe. Just reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes for boneless thighs. Boneless chicken thighs should be cooked at 400ºF for 30-35 minutes or until they reach 200ºF in the center.

-Skin-on chicken thighs are best for this, but you can also use boneless skinless chicken thighs if that’s what you have on hand.

-I usually recommend using fresh garlic in my recipes, but in this chicken thigh recipe the garlic will burn since it roasts for so long in the oven. Garlic powder works much better in this recipe and won’t burn.

How to bake chicken thighs in the oven

(printable recipe card below!)

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF (205ºC).

2. Melt butter in 9×13 baking dish while oven is preheating. Heat the butter until just melted.

3. Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel and season evenly with salt, garlic powder, paprika, and black pepper on both sides. Seasonings can be mixed together in a small bowl beforehand for even application.

4. Place chicken thighs in baking dish skin side up and brush the tops gently with some of the melted butter, taking care not to disturb the seasonings too much. I recommend using baking dish with higher sides as opposed to a baking sheet/sheet pan.

5. Bake in preheated oven on the center rack for 40-45 minutes or until the centers reach 200 degrees Fahrenheit (93ºC) in the thickest part of the thigh. Getting the right temperature will ensure the best results!

6. Broil for 2-3 minutes to the crisp skin to a golden brown, if desired. Crispy skin is always a good idea!

7. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before slicing. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges for spritzing.

8. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Allow to cool to room temperature before storing.

How long to cook chicken thighs in oven at 400

For the most tender chicken thighs, a cooking time of 40 minutes should be perfect at an oven temperature of 400ºF. This medium high temperature is perfect for the juiciest results.

Bone-in chicken thighs, especially with the skin on AND cooked in butter are hard to overcook, so if you don’t have a meat thermometer, 40 minutes should be perfect! The dark meat is pretty forgiving.

And don’t forget the crispy chicken skin! Just broil for an extra 2-3 minutes at the end, if desired. There’s nothing better than the combination of juicy meat and crispy skin in this tender chicken dish.

I always use a meat thermometer for the best oven-baked chicken thighs!

For the best results I recommend using a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to get them just right. I cook them to 200ºF (93ºC). But if you don’t have a meat thermometer, then I’d go with 40 minutes.

I use this meat thermometer that you can leave in while cooking, but you can also use an instant read thermometer. Here is a link to a very affordable instant-read thermometer.

For the best baked chicken thighs, cook them to 200ºF

Chicken is cooked through when it hits 165ºF (74ºC), which is perfect for chicken breasts. But for juicy chicken thighs I like to cook until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 200ºF (93ºC).

This higher temperature allows the connective tissue, fats, and cartilage begin to break down some more and makes the meat slide right off the bone. YUM!

Does the size of the chicken thighs matter?

The size of the thighs doesn’t really matter if you are using a meat thermometer. If you don’t have a meat thermometer, the baking time can vary with size.

This chicken thighs recipe is written for average sized chicken thighs (about 8 per 3.5 lbs of bone-in thighs).

If you have smaller thighs, then you will want to reduce the cook time by about 5 minutes. Conversely, if you have larger thighs then you will want to increase the cook time by about 5 minutes.

Okay, so now we know how long to bake chicken thighs, but what should we serve them with?

There are so many delicious ways to serve these baked chicken thighs! These juicy baked chicken thighs can be served with a variety of side dishes and can be used in many different ways! Here are some of my favorite side dishes:

1. Rice and green beans (my favorite is black rice)
2. Asparagus and French bread (I like to heat the bread after the chicken comes out in the 400º F oven for just a few minutes. YUM!)
3. Quinoa and broccoli
4. Sweet potatoes and cucumber dill salad
5. Spinach Artichoke Risotto – Risotto and chicken is always such a delicious meal!
6. On top of a big salad for a low carb and super easy dinner! Leftover baked chicken thighs are also great cold on a salad for lunch the next day.
7. Leftover chicken is great for meal prep
8. And anything else you can imagine!

Equipment needed to make oven baked chicken thighs

• Oven
• Glass or ceramic 9×13″ baking dish
• Small bowl for mixing spices
• Silicone pastry brush
• Meat thermometer (optional, but highly recommended!)
• Chef’s knife
• Cutting board
• Glass food storage containers for leftovers

Love chicken? Check out some of my other favorite recipes!

• Rasta Pasta Recipe with Jerk Chicken (extra creamy!)
• Greek Chicken Pasta Salad
• Hot Honey Butter Grilled Chicken(legitimately obsessed with this one!!)
• Low Carb Greek Chicken Bowls
• Crispy Coconut Chicken with Piña Colada Dipping Sauce

FAQ

Alternative ingredients or methods to try

• Boneless skinless thighs
• Chicken legs (drumsticks) – Thigh meat isn’t the only kind of meat you can use this recipe for. Drumsticks are another great option! I like to cook these at a higher temperature (around 425ºF) for less time.
• Air fryer – just use a slightly lower temperature and cook for less time (about 30-40 minutes)
• Instant pot – A great way to cook chicken thighs quickly! Should I do a recipe for these? I put out new recipes all the time and would love to have your input! Just let me know in the comments section below! Here is a yummy recipe for Instant Pot chicken thighs that I think you’ll love!
• Cook in a skillet – this is also a great cooking method for chicken thighs! I actually prefer to cook in a skillet if I have boneless thighs and I’m in a hurry since they can be cooked in about 30 minutes!
• Italian seasoning
• Brown sugar
• Onion powder
• Cayenne pepper – If your taste buds love spice then cayenne pepper is a great addition! It has a really long shelf life, so I always have some handy for recipes like this!
• Fresh herbs like thyme, parsley, or rosemary
• Not recommended – Aluminum foil or aluminum baking dishes. Aluminum is a known neurotoxin and has been linked to neurological diseases like Alzheimers and dementia. Plus, it can impart a metallic flavor on foods, especially when using longer cooking times like in this recipe.