Baked Chicken Thighs in Oven
User Reviews
4.6
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
40 mins
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Additional Time
10 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 5 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
401 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Baked Chicken Thighs in Oven
Description
Baked Chicken Thighs in Oven centers on bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated in a savory paste made from olive oil, fresh garlic, minced white onion, a homemade Italian seasoning blend, lemon zest, kosher salt, and black pepper. The chicken is arranged on a wire rack and baked at 400°F for 35 to 40 minutes, allowing it to cook evenly. After baking, the oven is switched to broil to brown and crisp the skin without burning. The residual heat raises the internal temperature as the chicken rests off heat.
The finishing touch is a baste of melted unsalted butter mixed with lemon zest and smoked paprika, brushed onto the hot chicken before serving. This adds moisture and a subtle smoky citrus note complementing the herb marinade. The result is a dish with tender, juicy thighs that have a flavorful herb and garlic crust and a crispy skin highlighted by the butter’s richness.
This baked chicken is suited for a main course pairing well with roasted vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad. It showcases a straightforward approach to juicy, aromatic chicken thighs without frying or heavy breading.
For best results, keep an eye while broiling to prevent burning the skin. The notes recommend charring remaining lemon halves to spritz over the chicken for extra brightness. This recipe leverages lemon zest rather than juice in the marinade to avoid excess moisture during baking.
Ingredients
Chicken:
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic , grated
- 2 tablespoons white onion , minced
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning homemade
- 1 tablespoon lemon zest
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt coarse
- ½ teaspoon black pepper ground
- 6 chicken thigh excess skin trimmed, bone-in, skin-on
Butter Baste:
- 4 tablespoons butter melted, unsalted
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a wire rack over top. Alternately, use a broiler pan. Set side.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the olive oil, garlic, onion Italian seasoning, zest, salt and pepper. It will make a paste.
- Toss the paste with chicken thighs, coating well. Transfer to the prepare baking sheet, giving space between each piece of meat. Spoon any excess paste from the bowl onto the chicken pieces.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes or until a digital read thermometer reads 160°F.
- Switch the oven to broil and allow the tops of the chicken to brown. Watch carefully to prevent burning!
- Remove from the oven and allow to rest for 5-10 minutes. Broiling and carryover cooking should allow the internal temperature rise to 165°F.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together the melted butter with the lemon zest and paprika.
- Right before serving, baste each piece of chicken with the compound butter.
- If you’ve tried this recipe, come back and let us know how it was in the comments or ratings.
Notes
- Keep watch during broiling to prevent burning the chicken skin while achieving a crispy top.
- If you enjoy lemon flavor, char the halved lemon leftover from zesting and spritz the juice over the chicken just before eating.
- The lemon zest in the marinade infuses aroma without adding moisture that could interfere with browning.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 401 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 401kcal | 20% |
| Carbohydrates | 2g | 1% |
| Protein | 19g | 38% |
| Fat | 35g | 54% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 5g | 29% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 16g | 80% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 131mg | 44% |
| Sodium | 477mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 264mg | 6% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 1g | 2% |
| Vitamin A | 419IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 2mg | 2% |
| Calcium | 31mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.6
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