Golden Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe for Family Dinner

Juicy, golden-brown oven baked chicken thighs recipe calls for minimal effort and maximum flavor.

Every home cook knows the secret to a perfect meal lies in simplicity and smart seasoning.

These tender chicken thighs promise a delightful dining experience with crispy skin and succulent meat.

Herbs and spices work magic to create a mouthwatering dish that will have everyone asking for seconds.

The aroma will fill your kitchen with warmth and anticipation of a delicious dinner.

Packed with protein and bursting with robust flavors, this recipe turns an ordinary weeknight meal into something extraordinary.

Let’s find out this foolproof method and transform ordinary chicken into a culinary masterpiece.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Calories: 345 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients Used in Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

• Olive Oil: Helps distribute seasonings evenly and creates a golden, crispy exterior.
• Whole Grain Dijon Mustard: Adds tangy depth and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Mustard: Enhances the overall zesty profile with its sharp, bold taste.
• Honey: Provides natural sweetness and helps create a beautiful caramelized glaze.
• Garlic: Brings intense, aromatic flavor and provides powerful health-boosting properties.
• Red Pepper Flake: Introduces a gentle heat that sparks excitement on the palate.

• Chicken Thighs: Rich, juicy meat that remains tender and absorbs marinades beautifully, perfect for oven baking.

Baking Tools for Chicken Thigh Recipes

• Baking Dish (9×13 inch): Perfect for roasting chicken thighs evenly and catching all the delicious sauce.
• Whisk: Essential for blending sauce ingredients smoothly and quickly.
• Mixing Bowl: Needed for seasoning chicken and mixing sauce ingredients.
• Measuring Spoons: Help ensure precise seasoning and sauce measurements.
• Meat Thermometer: Crucial for checking chicken's internal temperature for safe cooking.
• Serving Plate: Used for presenting the golden, crispy chicken thighs.
• Aluminum Foil: Helps rest and keep chicken warm after cooking.

Step-by-Step Oven Chicken Thigh Instructions

• Flavor Preparation

Select plump chicken thighs and gather spices that will create a delicious coating. Choose seasonings that complement each other for maximum taste sensation.

• Seasoning Technique

Sprinkle salt and pepper across chicken surfaces, ensuring every inch gets delightful flavor coverage. Massage seasonings gently into meat for deep absorption.

• Sauce Creation

Whisk together select liquid ingredients in a mixing bowl. Blend components smoothly to develop a rich, harmonious sauce that will elevate the chicken’s natural taste.

• Coating Process

Pour sauce over chicken thighs, turning them carefully to guarantee complete coverage. Each piece should glisten with the flavorful mixture.

• Baking Magic

Transfer chicken to a spacious baking dish, allowing pieces room to crisp beautifully. Slide into a preheated oven set at high temperature for perfect golden exterior.

• Serving Perfection

Remove chicken when internal temperature reaches safe levels and skin appears wonderfully crisp and bronze. Let chicken rest briefly to seal in succulent juices before serving warm.

Flavor Upgrades for Baked Chicken Thighs

• Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels before seasoning to ensure maximum crispiness and golden-brown exterior.
• Experiment with different herbs like rosemary, thyme, or oregano mixed into the sauce for an extra layer of delicious depth.
• Marinate chicken thighs in the sauce overnight in the refrigerator to intensify flavors and tenderize the meat before baking.
• Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper to the sauce for those who enjoy a spicy kick, or keep it mild for family-friendly meals.
• Shred any remaining chicken and use in salads, tacos, or sandwiches for a quick and tasty next-day meal that transforms your original dish.

How to Serve Baked Chicken Thighs Hot

• Flavor Fusion Plating: Arrange the juicy chicken thighs over a bed of fragrant herbed rice or creamy mashed potatoes, drizzling extra sauce on top for maximum taste explosion.
• Colorful Companion Sides: Pair the chicken with roasted seasonal vegetables like crispy brussels sprouts, honey-glazed carrots, or vibrant green asparagus to create a balanced and visually stunning meal.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley, thyme, or chives over the chicken just before serving to add a bright, aromatic touch that elevates the dish's overall flavor profile and provides a pop of green color.
• Quick Meal Transformation: Slice the leftover chicken and tuck into warm tortillas with a tangy slaw, or chop and mix into a hearty salad for an instant next-day lunch that keeps your taste buds excited.

Proper Storage for Chicken Thigh Meals

• Smart Meal Prep: Cook extra chicken thighs during weekend batch cooking to simplify weekday lunches and dinners. Pack single-serving portions in airtight containers for quick grab-and-go meals.
• Refrigeration Tricks: Store leftover chicken in sealed containers within 2 hours of cooking. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days when refrigerated at 40℉ or below. Always use clean utensils when handling to prevent bacterial growth.
• Freezing Strategy: Wrap individual chicken thighs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Removes excess air to prevent freezer burn. Stays delicious for up to 4 months when properly sealed.
• Reheating Wisdom: Warm refrigerated chicken in oven at 350℉ for best texture, about 10-15 minutes. Avoid microwave to maintain crispy skin. Add small splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out during reheating process.

Juicy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.6 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Golden Oven Baked Chicken Thighs deliver robust Mediterranean flavors through simple, aromatic spices. Crispy herb-infused skin and juicy meat provide delicious satisfaction you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 chicken thighs
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) olive oil
• 2 tbsps (30 mL) honey
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) whole grain Dijon mustard
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) mustard
• 6 cloves garlic (minced)
• ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) red pepper flakes

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 425℉ (220℃), creating an ideal roasting environment for succulent chicken thighs.
2. Seasoning: Generously coat chicken thighs with kosher salt, black pepper, and sauce mixture, massaging thoroughly to infuse deep, robust flavors into the meat.
3. Positioning: Carefully arrange seasoned thighs in a single layer within a 9×13 inch baking dish, ensuring adequate spacing for optimal heat circulation and crispy skin development.
4. Roasting: Place dish in preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee even browning and consistent cooking throughout the chicken pieces.
5. Verification: Confirm chicken is fully cooked by checking internal temperature reaches 165℉ (74℃) using an instant-read meat thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the meat.
6. Resting: Extract chicken from oven and loosely tent with aluminum foil, allowing meat to rest for 10 minutes, which enables juice redistribution and ensures maximum tenderness before serving.

Notes

• Ensure Proper Seasoning: Massage salt and pepper deeply into chicken thighs for maximum flavor absorption.
• Sauce Coverage Matters: Evenly coat each thigh with sauce to guarantee consistent taste and moisture throughout the meat.
• Temperature is Crucial: Use a meat thermometer to confirm internal temperature reaches 165℉ for safe, perfectly cooked chicken.
• Resting Period Enhances Juiciness: Allow chicken to rest 10 minutes after cooking to redistribute juices and maintain tenderness.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 345
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 200 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 10 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg