How long do chicken thighs take to cook in oven

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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs - The most amazing oven baked chicken thighs!  These chicken thighs come out crispy on the outside and amazingly tender and juicy on the inside.  Baked chicken thighs are so easy to make with only a few ingredients and one pan!

How long do chicken thighs take to cook in oven

Ok, folks!  One of the questions I get asked most often is how to cook chicken thighs.  They're so easy to make, and this has become one of my most popular recipes!  If you're looking for other fun chicken thigh recipes, try these Garlic Parmesan Chicken Thighs and these Greek Chicken Thighs!  We're also loving these Grilled Chicken Thighs during the summer months and of course Crispy Baked Chicken Wings all year long!

Questions that I hear about them the most are:

  1. How long do I cook chicken thighs in the oven and at what temperature?
  2. How do I cook chicken thighs in a pan but make sure they turn out crispy on the outside?
  3. Should I use boneless skinless chicken thighs are bone in with skin?

I think people love the thigh meat because it's super flavorful, but they just aren't as familiar with cooking them as they are the breast meat.  Luckily, it's an incredibly easy process that takes only a few minutes of prep and then the thighs bake up to crispy tender perfection on a sheet pan.

And, I am here to answer those questions for you today with my favorite baked chicken thigh recipe ever, plus a quick video that shows just how I make them!

How long do chicken thighs take to cook in oven

Let's go directly into tips for success when making baked chicken thighs:

  • Pat them dry with paper towels before seasoning.  The natural moisture from the chicken can prevent getting a really good sear.  These thighs basically sear right in the oven, so this is an important but quick step to take.

  • How long and at what temperature should you bake the thighs?  You'll want to bake these at 400 degrees for 35-45 minutes without moving or turning them during the process.  This temperature and time ensure that crispy outside and juicy inside we're looking for.  The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before being consumed.

  • Use a rimmed baking sheet.  The chicken will produce some of its tasty natural juices, and you don't want those running off the pan into your oven!

  • I use bone in and skin on chicken thighs for this recipe.  I find that it produces the best results.  However, if you have boneless skinless on hand or that is just your preference, they work just fine with this recipe as well!  They may take about 10 minutes less to cook, so just keep an eye on them.

How long do chicken thighs take to cook in oven

I hope you guys enjoy this simple chicken recipe as much as my family does!  As always, leave me a comment if you have additional questions, I'm happy to answer them!

Be sure to check out our video for this recipe below and follow along on Facebook to see all of the yummy food videos we share!

~Nichole

How long do chicken thighs take to cook in oven

  • 3 Pounds Chicken thighs, About 6-8
  • 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 2 Teaspoons Salt
  • 2 Teaspoons Garlic Powder
  • 2 Teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 2 Teaspoons Italian Seasoning
  • 1 Teaspoon Black Pepper
  • 1 Teaspoon Paprika

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with foil for easy cleanup and set aside.

  • Remove the chicken thighs from their packaging and pat them dry with paper towels. Arrange the chicken thighs on prepared baking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil rubbing the oil into the chicken to coat.

  • In a small bowl mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and paprika.  Sprinkle the spices over the chicken evenly. 

  • Bake chicken in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes.*

*Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees before consuming. 

Sodium: 713mg | Calcium: 24mg | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Vitamin A: 265IU | Potassium: 374mg | Cholesterol: 166mg | Calories: 410kcal | Saturated Fat: 8g | Fat: 31g | Protein: 27g | Carbohydrates: 2g | Iron: 1.4mg

If you're looking for other tasty chicken recipes for dinner try these:

  1. Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken
  2. Chicken Enchilada Soup
  3. Honey Mustard Chicken Foil Packets

If you're looking for baking recipes, these are some of my readers favorites:

  1. Cinnamon Sugar Donut Muffins
  2. One Bowl Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  3. Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies

Nichole is the founder and CEO of The Salty Marshmallow. Her passion for cooking and baking began over a decade ago, and she specializes in easy recipes with big flavor that the whole family will love! Read more about Nichole here.

Reader Interactions

How long does it take to fully bake chicken thighs?

This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe is ready to eat in just 35 minutes. When chicken thighs are roasted in the oven, they are so juicy with deliciously crispy skin.

How long does it take for chicken thigh to cook?

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs cook quickly, in 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the size. Bone-in thighs, however, take a bit more time, between 25 and 30 minutes. Use a thermometer to measure the internal temperature of the thighs. They're finished cooking when the temperature reads 165°F.

Is it better to bake chicken thighs at 350 or 400?

The higher the temperature when baking chicken thighs creates that golden brown outer skin that protects the dark meat from over cooking and tenderizes the inside making it even more flavorful and tender. I like to bake chicken thighs at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 35 to 40 minutes long.

How long does it take for chicken thighs to bake at 375?

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place chicken thighs in a baking dish; season both sides with garlic powder and onion flakes. Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.