Easy Spicy Chicken Thighs Recipe | Oven Baked

Easy Spicy Chicken Thighs Recipe with beautiful soft meat and mouth-watering crispy skin that's packed with flavor!  This is a real thing of beauty and all you have to do is prepare yourself for the most irresistable chicken thighs that you've ever tasted.

This recipe that has so much flavor was inspired by my Chicken Thighs Cast Iron recipe, and both these bone-in thighs pair well with Buttery Mashed Potatoes, Instant Pot or these Baked Smashed Potatoes.​

The reason I love oven baked chicken thighs, is because it's a one pan, basic ingredients recipe. Agreed, it takes longer to cook than chicken breasts or even boneless skinless chicken thighs, it's still a great recipe because it requires nothing other than seasoning to taste delicious. No cream, brown sugar, cider vinegar, just chicken thighs, seasoning and an oven tray. 

Boneless chicken thighs are quick cooking and versatile but often require either a sauce or side dish. Chicken thighs however, which is dark meat, can be cooked on its own because it has the bone and skin to contribute fat and flavor. 

How To Make Baked Chicken Thighs Delicious? 

• A generous amount of good spices
• Dry chicken skin
• Oven temperature

Baking Temperature 

The internal temperature for chicken to be cooked through is 75C (165 degrees f ) as per the meat thermometer. HOWEVER, because we are oven roasting for 40 minutes, the reading will be 82 to 87 C which is roughly 180 to 190 F. Trust me when I say, they will still be juicy and tender. 

Love bone-in chicken thighs but can't eat the skin? Go ahead and prepare the chicken as per the recipe and simply remove the skin when serving. It will still have absorbed all the drippings from the skin which keeps the meat moist while cooking.

What To Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs

The best side dishes to serve with chicken thighs are;

• Potatoes:  Buttery, creamy mashed potatoes or easy smashed pototoes. You can serve wedges, hasselback potatoes or any potato side dish. You can even server them with a potato salad!
• Rice:  Butter garlic rice, fried rice, Vegetable Biryani (rice) mushroom rice with a dash of soy sauce. You can customize your rice dish with veggies, spices, oil etc.  
• Air Fryer Brussel Sprouts: Stove top or air fryer. I like adding a little sea salt and chili powder on brussel sprouts. 
• ​Bell peppers:  Give them a quick charr in a cast iron skillet on high heat. 
• Cheese, Garlic & Herb Bread:  Any type of bread is always a great idea at the table. Ciabatta, crusty homemade etc. 
• Roasted Butternut or any other steamed, creamed, sauteed vegetable is a delicious side. Green beans. carrots, spinach are always a wonderful side dish!
• Salad: Any of your favorites. We love this mediterranean salad on repeat!
• Bread: Any soft or crusty bread or garlic bread with chicken thighs is delicious!

What Tools Will I Need? 

• Roasting tray. I used a 9” x 12” for 8 thighs
• Kitchen Tissue Paper
• A Bowl or Dish to mix the thighs with the spices

Baked Chicken Thighs, Ingredients

See recipe card for quantities.

Olive Oil:  Keeps the chicken moist but you can also use butter or other oils. 

Bone-in, Skin-on chicken thighs: Bone-in thighs have juicier meat compared to boneless options.  
Kosher salt and freshly Ground Black Pepper: Seasoning essentials.

Chicken Spice Blend: A pre-made blend, we use these spices and extra virign olive oil.

Cajun Spice (optional): Aromatic blend with a kick of spice, like cayenne pepper, chili pepper for a bolder flavor profile. Adjust to your preference. 

Paprika Dry Rub: Smoky paprika adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor. 

Note: You can adjust the amount of Cajun spice based on your desired level of heat.

Looking for a a skillet chicken recipe? Chicken Thighs Cast Iron

How To Make Spicy Chicken Thighs (Oven Roasted)

The great thing about this recipe, besides the juicy chicken thighs, is that you can decide how much or how little spice you want to add.

Recipe Notes

Salt & Pepper: It goes without saying that salt and pepper are sufficient seasoning, the skin will still crisp. The spices however, add expectional flavor. Feel free to use to add more or less to your taste.

Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: There is no reason why you can't combine both drumsticks and thighs in one roasting dish. It's convenient and prevents yet another dish to wash up. To prevent the drumstick bone from burning, simply place it bone-side down so the thicker 'meatier' part cooks first. Also coat the drumstick with oil or melted butter to help protect it in the oven, although they cook quite well with the thighs. You can also tent it loosly with foil if you see the bone burning. Try not to wrap it too tight in foil, because it steams instead of browning.

My Baking Tray Has No Wire Rack: Simply use a 9x13" inch sized pan or any roasting pan that will comfortably fit the chicken, with enough 'breathing' room, not piled over each other. Placing a sheet of foil on the bottom of the tray, with or without a rack, makes clean up a breeze!

Is It Necessary To Grill (Broil)? This recipe did not need for the chicken to be grilled after the cooking time because the skin had crisped up enough. However, if you need to grill (broil), then do so for a minute or two but do watch those spices from burning instantly!

FAQ's Easy Baked Chicken Thigh Recipe

What Is The Correct Oven Temperature To Bake Chicken Thighs?

In this recipe, we bake the chicken thighs on 210 to 220 degrees C which is roughly 410 to 430 degrees F especially if it's the crispy chicken skin you're after!

Should I Cover My Chicken Thighs While Baking?

Not in this recipe. You don't need to cover the chicken thighs while baking because it will create steam in the oven instead of crisping the skin out. Simply prepare them as per the recipe card below, place them on a rack inside a roasting dish and bake till the skin crisps and a meat thermometer reads 74 degrees C / 165 degrees F. I remove them from the oven in exactly 40 minutes and let them rest. The meat thermemeter reads higher, but they are still juicy and tender. 

Reheating and Storage | Baked Chicken Thighs

These chicken thighs are easy to store except that you need to remember that you would have lost the crispy skin the next day (still delicious though!). Reheat them on the stove top on medium heat. Storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator will keep them fresh for 3 to 4 days. 

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