There are many ways to enjoy the chicken thigh part – frying, roasting, and even baking. Baked chicken thighs are a simple yet delicious meal with a burst of flavorful. It has a crispy and juicy texture that anyone would love and enjoy in a chow.
The dish is perfect for lunch or dinner. It serves the purpose of providing an excellent and healthy meal for the family and friends. Serving this food anytime from noon and evening is perfectly fine. Baked chicken thighs also give off a classic and restauranteur vibe in case you fancy an elegant meal.
The seasonings for baked chicken thighs include paprika, salt, black pepper, and fresh rosemary. These condiments will surely enhance the natural flavor of the meaty part of the chicken.
This recipe will teach you the best way to prepare baked chicken thighs and why it is not a waste of time.
When Did Chicken Become So Relevant in the Field of Cooking?
It is no surprise that chicken meat is always in demand in the marketplace. After all, it is a versatile meat that anyone can prepare multiple ways. The need for chicken meat even made it the most popular poultry in the world.
But when did people start turning to chickens for a good meal? According to an author named Philip Slavin, chicken became part of the meal in the Medieval period. People favored chicken meat because it is meaty and easily digested. Chickens are easy to grow as well, and so the supply wouldn't exhaust immediately.
Eventually, chicken dishes evolved from simple roasting into barbequing, frying, baking, and soup. Initially done through roasting, baked chicken transcended into baking by the oven as modern times emerged. That is how households and restaurants came to embrace the magnificence of baked chickens.
Why Does This Recipe Work?
The internet has a lot to offer when it comes to cooking and preparing chickens. However, this particular recipe works perfectly well because of the following reasons to consider:
- Baked Chicken Thigh is easy and quick to prepare.
- The seasonings used are simple, yet they ensure an excellent seasoned dish.
- The ingredients are available anywhere and aren't costly.
- Baked Chicken Thigh is healthy and good for anyone who has no allergy to poultry.
What's in this Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe?
- Chicken Thighs: The thighs in this recipe should be bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs to achieve a more flavorful and juicier taste. Chicken thighs are naturally meaty, so the other ingredients won't have any problem seeping into the meat to combine the flavors.
- Garlic: Preferably minced, will serve as a potent flavoring agent for this recipe. It will also help bring out the aroma of the baked chicken, making it more mouthwatering.
- Olive Oil: Olive oil is the best choice for baking and is the healthiest one among cooking oils when it comes to baking. In this recipe, olive oil will enhance the flavor of the dish and encourage the browning of the chicken while inside the oven.
- Lemon Zest: What is a better ingredient to season and make something juicier other than lemon zest? Note that chicken thigh is dark meat, and lemon helps balance the more robust flavor of the dark meat in thighs and the fat from the chicken.
- Seasonings: There are many seasonings for baked chickens, but it is always best to stick with the classic combinations of paprika, salt, black pepper, and fresh rosemary. Paprika is the best taste enhance for chickens, while black pepper and salt add spice to the flavor. Fresh rosemary, as a seasoning, will also make the food easy to digest.
How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs?
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and top it with an oven-safe wire rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper, chopped rosemary, lemon zest and garlic.
- Wash the chicken and pat them dry using a paper towel. Toss the chicken in the olive oil mixture (make sure all the chicken are evenly coated).
- Transfer the chicken thighs into the rack leave space between the thighs.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish with some chopped parsley (optional) and serve warm.
Top Tips!
- Patting the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel before mixing them into the olive oil mixture will make it crispier later when already baked.
- Add some slices of lemon into the sides of the rack before putting the chicken inside the oven. This addition will enhance the juice of the dish without compromising the crispy texture.
- It is best to use a rimmed baking sheet for the rack so that the juice of the baked chicken won't make a mess.
- While baking, avoid unnecessary rearrangement of the chicken to prevent getting deformed and messy to look.
Recipe Variations
- Replace garlic with diced chives since chives are well-suited and popular with cream-based dishes like baked chicken. Chives will also add a pleasant visual effect as a garnish to the Baked Chicken Thigh afterwards.
- Make this recipe a bit sweeter and buttery by adding honey and butter to the mixture of olive oil.
Serving Suggestions
Mashed potatoes have a rich, buttery flavor and creamy texture that will complement the crispy and juicy texture of the Baked Chicken Thighs. That's why they would seem like a perfect combo meal.
At dinner, white rice or turmeric rice will also go well with the Baked Chicken Thigh.
Recipe FAQs
Why is the thigh part the best for baked chicken?
Chicken thighs have a more strong chicken flavor than the other part. Thighs are also tender and moist without being overly fatty or oily. Thigh parts are suitable for crispy recipes like baked chicken as well since it has succulent meat.
Why isn't my baked chicken crispy?
Perhaps you haven't pat the chicken dry before seasoning it; that is why the outcome seems lumpy and not crispy. Try rubbing olive oil all over the chicken as well since it helps in making the chicken crispy. Consider toning down with the lemon zest as well in case it creates more juice than necessary.
Would it be alright to store leftover baked chicken thighs?
Storing baked chicken thighs is perfectly alright, even for four months. The only thing you need to do is make sure you use an airtight container to keep the baked chicken thighs before putting them in the fridge. Ensure that the baked chicken thighs are completely cooled before storing them in an airtight freezer-safe container.
Is it alright to use boneless and skinless chicken thighs?
It is okay if the chicken thighs aren't bone-in nor skin-on; however, the outcome wouldn't be as juicy and crispy.
Easy chicken recipes
- Chicken Poppers With Creamy Sauce
- Baked Tandoori Chicken
- Homemade Chicken Nuggets
- Oven-Baked Bbq Chicken
More chicken recipes
Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs , bone-in, skin-on
- 5 cloves garlic , minced
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 220C.
- Line a baking sheet with aluminium foil and top it with an oven-safe wire rack.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper, chopped rosemary, lemon zest and garlic.
- Wash the chicken and pat them dry using a paper towel. Toss the chicken in the olive oil mixture (make sure all the chicken are evenly coated).
- Transfer the chicken thighs into the rack leave space between the thighs.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Garnish with some chopped parsley (optional) and serve warm.
Notes
- Patting the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel before mixing them into the olive oil mixture will make it crispier later when already baked.
- Add some slices of lemon into the sides of the rack before putting the chicken inside the oven. This addition will enhance the juice of the dish without compromising the crispy texture.
- It is best to use a rimmed baking sheet for the rack so that the juice of the baked chicken won't make a mess.
- While baking, avoid unnecessary rearrangement of the chicken to prevent getting deformed and messy to look.
Nutrition
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These chicken thighs look crispy. I will try the recipe this weekend.
I make this recipe, and it is so good. This is my go-to chicken thigh recipe lately. Thank you for sharing it.
This recipe is really easy to make and so delicious!
Chicken thighs have always been my favourite part of the chicken. Now, I can say that this is the best chicken recipe I have ever made. Thanks!!
This recipe was absolutely yummy! I used boneless, skinless thighs, and it turned out amazing and juice. I have never been a fan of chicken thighs, but this is a simple and delicious recipe, and I liked it so much. I’ll do this again, for sure.