🍗 Juicy Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are one of the most flavorful and versatile cuts of poultry. They stay moist during cooking and can be prepared in many ways: baked, grilled, pan-seared, or slow-cooked. Here’s a classic approach with a simple, savory seasoning.
🥄 Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or boneless if preferred)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked paprika optional)
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Optional: 1 tsp dried thyme or rosemary
- Optional: 1 lemon, sliced, for garnish
👩🍳 Instructions
Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs
1️⃣ Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
2️⃣ Prepare chicken: Pat thighs dry with paper towels. This ensures crispy skin.
3️⃣ Season: Rub olive oil over chicken. Mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, and optional herbs; coat all over the thighs.
4️⃣ Bake: Place chicken on a baking sheet or ovenproof pan, skin-side up. Bake 35–40 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and skin is crispy.
5️⃣ Rest & serve: Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with lemon slices if desired.
Stovetop Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs
1️⃣ Heat 2 tbsp oil over medium-high heat in a skillet.
2️⃣ Sear chicken skin-side down 6–8 minutes until golden brown.
3️⃣ Flip and reduce heat to medium, cook 10–12 more minutes until cooked through.
🌟 Tips for Perfect Chicken Thighs
- Crispy skin: Dry the skin thoroughly and bake at high heat.
- Even cooking: Bone-in thighs stay juicier; boneless cook faster but can dry out.
- Flavor boost: Marinate in garlic, lemon, or soy sauce for 30 minutes to a few hours before cooking.
- Leftovers: Great in salads, tacos, sandwiches, or fried rice.
I can also provide:
- Garlic butter chicken thighs
- Honey soy baked thighs
- Slow cooker shredded chicken thighs
Do you want the garlic butter version?
