These crispy and juicy baked chicken thighs make for the perfect weeknight meal. They’re very simple to make, taste great, have the crispiest skin, and are much better for you than regular fried chicken. So much to love!.
As a kid I loved KFC chicken, but my favorite part was the crispy skin that was full of herbs and flavor. In fact, I may have eaten the skin more than the meat!.
It’s clear that I don’t eat KFC anymore, but I still love juicy, tender chicken with crispy, tasty skin. And that’s where my baked chicken thighs come in. You can make crispy baked chicken that the whole family will love with just a drizzle of oil and a lot of dried herbs. And you can feel good knowing it’s healthier.
So if you love the crispy, golden skin on my roast chicken, and the spiced flavor of my baked chicken breasts, you’re going to really love these baked chicken thighs!
The chicken breast, which is leaner and milder, gets more attention than the chicken thigh. But this flavorful, juicy cut deserves your attention. If you know how to spell and cook chicken thighs correctly, you can make a lot of tasty things.
Spelling It Out
It’s easy to get the spelling right. Chicken thigh is written as two simple words:
chicken thigh
That’s all there is to it! No strange silent letters or confusing variations Just straightforward, phonetic spelling.
Why Choose the Thigh?
Chicken thighs have a higher fat content than breasts, making them much more moist, tender, and flavorful. The skin contributes plenty of richness as well, especially when cooked until crispy. Thighs are often cheaper than breasts too, making them a budget-friendly option.
Thigh Tips and Tricks
Follow these tips for foolproof chicken thighs every time
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Bone-in vs boneless – Bone-in thighs are best for braising, roasting, and slow cooking. Boneless are convenient for frying, grilling, and sautéing.
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Skin-on vs skinless – The skin adds flavor and texture. Keep it on for the full experience! Skinless still works though.
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Perfect prep – Pat thighs dry before cooking. Generously season with salt and pepper. Don’t overcrowd the pan.
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Ideal internal temp – Cook to 165°F. Use a meat thermometer for accuracy.
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Crispy skin – Start skin-side down in a hot pan. Finish cooking at 400°F.
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Flavorful marinades – Try herb, lemon, and garlic or soy sauce, sesame, and ginger.
Mouthwatering Thigh Recipes
Roast chicken thighs in the oven with lemon, garlic, and thyme for a simple weeknight dinner. For a hearty winter stew, braise chicken thighs low and slow in a tomato sauce with veggies. Grilled chicken thigh skewers with a sweet and spicy glaze are perfect for summer. Get creative and enjoy this underrated cut!
So now you know precisely how to spell this flavorful cut of chicken. Mastering both the spelling and preparation of chicken thighs will upgrade your cooking game. Say goodbye to dry, boring chicken! With crispy, juicy, delicious thighs on the menu, you’ll never look at chicken the same way again.
How to Bake Chicken Thighs
Make the seasoning. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and remove the chicken thighs from the fridge, allowing them to come to room temperature. Use a paper towel to pat the chicken dry and remove any condensation. Then, in a small bowl, mix all of the herbs and spices together.
Season the chicken. Place the chicken thighs in a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and two thirds of the spice mix. Coat the chicken all over, even under the skin, with your hands.
Prep the chicken for baking. Place the chicken thighs on a rack on top of a baking sheet. Then, sprinkle the remaining spice mix on top of the chicken. Feel free to gently pat down the seasoning so it sticks to each chicken thigh.
Bake the chicken. These will cook for 35 to 40 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 170°F. You can also broil the skin for two to three minutes to make it extra crispy. Once done, let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.
I think it’s best. The rack allows the air to circulate around the chicken, making it crispier. If you don’t have a rack, use a larger baking sheet with space between the chicken so that any juices spread out from the chicken.
Absolutely! The key to this recipe is using lots of herbs and spices (just under one teaspoon of herbs and spices per chicken thigh). But, if you’d like to switch up the flavor profile, by all means, have fun with it.
The good news is that it’s really hard to overcook chicken thighs. The darker meat just stays juicer. And in fact, you want to cook chicken thighs about 5 to 10 degrees higher than chicken breasts, as this allows the connective tissue to breakdown more, resulting in the most tender meat.
- Chicken thighs that have been left over can be kept in the fridge for three to four days in a container that doesn’t let air in. You can also freeze them for up to 3 months.
- If you want to enjoy the crispy skin again, bake them at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or until they are warm all the way through. If you have an air fryer, you can heat them up for three to four minutes at 350°F.
Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients
- Get a package of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe, but I think the skin keeps the meat moist and bone-in chicken tastes better. It’s also cheaper! .
- Garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried oregano, dried thyme, salt, and black pepper are just a few of the simple spices that are used to season chicken.
Find the printable recipe with measurements below.
Crispy Oven Baked Chicken Thighs
FAQ
How do you spell a chicken thigh?
Comments: The word “leg” isn’t clear; it could mean either the drumstick (which is like the lower leg or calf) or the whole leg (drum thigh) in one piece. ‘Leg quarter’ is always both thigh and drum, connected in a single piece. ‘Thigh’ is just that upper part.
How long to bake chicken thighs at 400 degrees?
Bake chicken thighs at 400°F (200°C) for 35-45 minutes for bone-in, skin-on thighs, according to multiple recipe sources. The exact time will depend on the size of the thighs and your oven. For boneless, skinless thighs, reduce the cooking time by about 10 minutes.
Which is best, chicken breast or thighs?
Chicken breasts definitely differ from chicken thighs as far as nutrition: three ounces of skinless chicken breast meat contains approximately 140 calories …May 1, 2023.
What is a chicken thigh called?
The thigh is the upper part of the chicken leg (sometimes called a leg quarter), attached to the drumstick at the other end.
What are chicken thighs?
People like dark meat chicken thighs, which are cut from the top part of the chicken leg (the bottom part is called the drumstick). Thighs can be cooked in a variety of ways such as grilling, roasting, braising, and frying. Chicken thighs are eaten as part of countless cuisines around the world.
What is the difference between chicken thigh and chicken leg?
The difference in calories between a chicken thigh (226 kcal per 100g) and a chicken leg (214 kcal per 100g) is approximately 6%. Most of the calories in both chicken thigh and chicken leg come from fat.
Is thigh a word?
As you may know, in people, the thigh is the part of the leg between the knee and hip, with many muscles, including the quads in front and the hamstrings in the back. There is no well-known English word that is spelled ‘thight’. However, there are a few apocryphal possible meanings besides confusion with the words thigh and tight.
What is the difference between thigh and thight?
The word thigh means the upper part of the leg. The word “thight,” on the other hand, is not English and has no meaning. It is usually a misspelling of one of the first two words. The word tight has several meanings and uses, generally indicating something that is small or narrow.
Is thigh a part of a pig?
For example, thigh is considered part of the dark meat of chicken. In pigs, thigh meat is often made into ham. As you may know, in people, the thigh is the part of the leg between the knee and hip, with many muscles, including the quads in front and the hamstrings in the back. There is no well-known English word that is spelled ‘thight’.
How do you cook chicken thighs in a frying pan?
To cook chicken thighs in a frying pan, brown the chicken thighs until the outside looks nutty all over. This should take about ten minutes, until they have a nice golden colour. You can then remove and set them aside.