How Long Should I Cook Bone in Chicken Thighs in the Oven?

Wishing tonight's dinner was easy, inexpensive, and pretty difficult to mess up? Bonus points if it's healthy too? Time to make Baked Chicken Thighs!

While boneless Baked Chicken Breast might occupy the default setting in your grocery shopping approach, it is well worth picking up a pack of bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs instead.

• Dark chicken thigh meat is juicier and far less prone to drying out than white breast meat.
• While many think white meat is healthier, this is hardly the case. Compared to white meat, dark meat has more iron, zinc, vitamin B-12, thiamine, and other nutrients too.
• Yes, dark meat has more fat than white, but it's still a very lean, healthy protein.
• Bone-in chicken has more flavor and is juicier than boneless chicken, because the bone flavors the meat from the inside and helps retain moisture (it's why you can skip brining when making Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast, but it's necessary for juicy boneless Grilled Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Chicken Breast).
• It's a bargain! Per pound, dark meat is less expensive than white meat, and bone-in chicken is less expensive than boneless.

Baked chicken thighs are equally as make-ahead friendly as they are last-minute healthy dinner material. (Though for the fastest method for preparing chicken, try Pan Fried Chicken Breast.)

• I recommend 30 minutes of marinade time, but you can skip it if you need (thank you thighs!).
• On the opposite side of the timeline, you can completely prep them the night before and pop them into the oven when it's time for dinner.
• You can bake chicken thighs with just about any range of seasonings.

Today, I'm giving you the 9-1-1 pantry version of baked chicken thighs with dried Italian herbs, garlic, and lemon, all of which deserve to be standard kitchen material.

If you have fresh herbs, by all means, please use them.

If not, you'll still whip up a tasty pan of tender baked chicken thighs of which you can be proud.

The Best Baked Chicken

My special trick for this recipe is to thinly slice an onion and scatter it around the chicken thighs.

The slices break down and mingle with the schmaltzy chicken cooking fat to create the most marvelous, jammy onions that are divine served on top).

How to Make Baked Chicken Thighs

I find it best to bake chicken thighs at a high temperature—425 degrees F.

• Since chicken thighs are lean, they don't benefit from low, slow cooking the way tougher, more marbled cuts like Slow Cooker Pulled Pork do. A shorter cook time with high heat is the move.
• If needed, you can adjust the oven temperature down to as low as 400 degrees F to accommodate other dishes—say you are cooking the chicken thighs in the oven at the same time as a pan of Roasted Brussels Sprouts, Oven Roasted Potatoes, or Roasted Butternut Squash. Simply extend the cooking time by a few minutes (or go for 415 degrees F—right in between).

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The Ingredients

• Chicken Thighs. Flavorful and succulent, chicken thighs are a fantasic, healthy ingredient. I used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, which are healthy, affordable, and nearly impossible to mess up.

Substitution Tip

If you prefer to make your oven baked chicken thighs boneless, you can use boneless thighs in this recipe.

Boneless skinless chicken thighs will cook faster than bone-in (they'll likely take about 20 minutes), so you'll want to check them very early and often. I would also make sure to marinade them, since the meat doesn't have the skin or bone to help insulate and flavor it.

• Italian Marinade. A mixture of olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, dried rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon. It imparts light and bright Italian flavor onto the chicken and helps make it extra juicy.
• Onion. Once roasted, the onions become deliciously caramelized and sweet. They make these baked chicken thighs feel extra special and elevated.
• Vinegar. A remarkable addition that makes the onions pop. Either sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar will work here.
• Fresh Herbs. Fresh parsley, tarragon, or thyme is the perfect finishing touch.

The Directions

1. Dry the chicken with paper towels and place it in a bowl or ziptop bag. Add the marinade ingredients to the chicken. Marinate for at least 30 minutes or refrigerate for up to 12 hours.
2. Slice the onions and place them in a baking dish.

3. Toss the onions with oil, salt, and pepper.

4. Nestle the chicken thighs into the onions skin side up.

5. Bake the chicken thighs at 425 degrees F for 25 to 35 minutes, tossing the onions partway through.
6. Remove the chicken to a plate, cover with foil, and let rest. Place the baking dish back into the oven and continue baking the onions.
7. Remove the onions from the oven, and stir in the vinegar. If desired, return the chicken to the pan and broil on the upper third rack for crispy skin. ENJOY!

How to Tell Your Chicken Thighs are Done

Overcooking is the enemy of juicy chicken.

The best (and I'd say only true) way to tell if your chicken is cooked properly is to use an instant-read meat thermometer inserted at the thickest part.

• This is the absolute best one and well worth the purchase price. It reads temps instantly and is dead accurate.
• This inexpensive model still works well and can save your dinner.

Chicken should be cooked to 165 degrees F. I remove my chicken several degrees early (155 to 160 degrees F) and let it rest, as the temperature will continue to rise.

• Resting allows the meat to come to a safe temperature.
• It also is necessary so that the juices have time to reincorporate into the chicken.

More Ways to Season Chicken Thighs

Below you'll find my go-to Italian baked chicken thighs, but this recipe is versatile. Feel free to vary the seasonings according to your craving.

• BBQ Baked Chicken Thighs. Season the thighs with your favorite BBQ spice blend. Bake per the time and temperature suggested in the recipe (with or without the onions). Serve with Barbecue Sauce.
• Old Fashioned Chicken Thighs. Keep it simple with salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve with Easy Drop Biscuits and your favorite gravy.
• Southern Baked Chicken Thighs. Season the chicken with a blend of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, seasoned salt, and dried rosemary.
• Curry Baked Chicken Thighs. Season the thighs with curry powder, cumin, black pepper, and salt. (This variation would be scrumptious with Turmeric Rice.)

Storage Tips

• To Store. Place chicken thighs in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
• To Freeze. Freeze chicken thighs in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

Up to 12 hours in advance, dry and marinate the chicken thighs as directed in Step 1. Refrigerate until you're ready to bake.

Leftover Ideas

De-bone and dice your chicken thighs, then toss them into your favorite pasta (this Pasta al Limone would be tasty) or rice dish. Leftovers also make a fantastic addition to a salad.

What to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs

• Sautéed Vegetables. Sautéed Carrots, Sautéed Brussels Sprouts, and Sautéed Cabbage can all be prepared on the stove while the chicken thighs bake.
• Mashed Potatoes. Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes or Instant Pot Mashed Sweet Potatoes are two classic comfort pairings.
• Rice. Try this Lemon Rice for a brighter flavor.
• Salad. A green salad such as Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad makes this a complete meal.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

• Baking Dish. This baking dish is ideal for making baked chicken thighs.
• Measuring Spoons. These double-sided magnetic spoons are incredibly easy to store.
• Citrus Juicer. My go-to tool for juicing lemons and limes.

The Best Baking Dish

A high-quality baking dish is a must-have in every kitchen. This Staub ceramic dish is dishwasher-safe and can be used in the microwave or oven.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you thought!

Leave a rating below in the comments and let me know how you liked the recipe.

Chicken thighs, oh my! We keep coming back to them again and again.

I hope this recipe is just the helping hand (er, thigh) for many of your weeknight meals to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What If I Don't Have an Instant Read Thermometer?

GET ONE. It's one of the most important tools in your kitchen. I use it to check everything from meat, to fish, to banana bread for doneness. If you insist on living without one or are in a panic for dinner tonight, cut your chicken. The juices should run clear.

If My Chicken Is Pink, Does That Mean It's Not Done?

Not necessarily. Chicken meat, especially dark meat, can look pink even when it is cooked through. The absolute best, safest way to know if your chicken is cooked to temperature is to use an instant read thermometer.

HELP! My Chicken is Dry.

If your chicken thighs are dry, it is because they are overcooked. While you can't go back, you can cover your mistake by serving baked chicken thighs in sauce. Try the honey mustard sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken.

• 2 1/4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs about 4
• 3 garlic cloves minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 lemon zest and juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper divided
• 2 small or 1 extra large onion
• 1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
• Chopped fresh parsley or tarragon or thyme, plus additional for serving

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• Pat the chicken dry and place in a large bowl or large ziptop bag. Add the garlic, 2 tablespoons oil, Italian seasoning, rosemary, lemon zest and juice (zest the lemon right over the bag or bowl), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss the chicken (or seal the bag and turn to coat). Let sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour or cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.

  

• When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Thinly slice the onions and place in a 9×13 or similarly sized roasting pan or casserole dish.

• Drizzle the onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat.

  

• Remove the chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Clear some spaces in the onions for the chicken, then nestle it in.

  

• Bake the chicken thighs for 15 minutes. Remove the pan and toss the onions to promote even cooking (I use a fork to stir them around a bit). Return to the oven and bake for 10 to 20 additional minutes (that's 25 to 35 minutes total), until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 155 to 160 degrees F (chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees F, but its temperature will continue to rise as it rests). If you'd like to brown the chicken skin further, at the end of the cooking time, place the pan under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes (watch closely!).

  

• Remove the chicken to a serving plate. Cover and let rest 10 minutes. Stir the onions in the pan, spread them into an even layer, then return them to the oven to roast further while the chicken rests. The onions will become jammy and a few might look a little crispy.

• Remove the onions from the oven, then stir the vinegar into them. If desired, return the chicken to the pan and place under the broiler for crispy skin.

• Serve the chicken thighs warm, with onions spooned over the top. Sprinkle with fresh herbs.

• TO STORE: Refrigerate chicken thighs in an airtight storage container for up to 3 days.
• TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F or in the microwave.
• TO FREEZE: Freeze chicken thighs in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Serving: 1 (of 4) Calories: 605 kcal Carbohydrates: 10 g Protein: 36 g Fat: 47 g Saturated Fat: 11 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 9 g Monounsaturated Fat: 23 g Trans Fat: 1 g Cholesterol: 213 mg Potassium: 588 mg Fiber: 2 g Sugar: 3 g Vitamin A: 196 IU Vitamin C: 19 mg Calcium: 59 mg Iron: 2 mg

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Hi, I'm Erin Clarke, and I'm fearlessly dedicated to making healthy food that's affordable, easy-to-make, and best of all DELISH. I'm the author and recipe developer here at wellplated.com and of The Well Plated Cookbook. I adore both sweets and veggies, and I am on a mission to save you time and dishes. WELCOME!

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How Long Should I Cook Bone in Chicken Thighs in the Oven?

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