This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This baked chicken thighs recipe delivers tender, juicy meat with crispy, golden skin. A simple spice blend adds bold flavor, making it an easy, budget-friendly meal for one or two. Perfectly versatile, it pairs well with any side for a satisfying dish.
Pair these baked chicken thighs with creamy Mashed Potatoes, crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts, rich Mac and Cheese, tender Sautéed Green Beans, flavorful Garlic Smashed Potatoes, or a simple side of quinoa for a complete meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: Simple steps and basic ingredients make this a no-fuss recipe.
- Big Flavor: A blend of herbs and spices ensures every bite is seasoned to perfection.
- Perfectly Portioned: Made for one but easily doubled for two.
- Crispy & Juicy: Golden, crispy skin with tender, juicy meat.
- Versatile: Pairs well with any side for a complete meal.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this single serving baked chicken thighs recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken Thighs: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor and juiciness. The skin and bone help retain moisture and add richness, plus they’re more budget-friendly.
- Olive Oil: Helps keep the chicken moist and ensures the spices stick. You can also use canola oil, avocado oil, or melted butter.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: These pantry staples add flavor. Fresh minced garlic and onion can be used for a bolder taste. Try these seasonings in recipes like Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas or Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
- Paprika: Adds mild heat and a pop of color. Use smoked paprika for a smoky flavor. Paprika is a key ingredient in Chicken Paprika and a small batch of crispy Buffalo Cauliflower.
- Oregano: Provides an earthy flavor. Substitute with thyme or rosemary if needed. Oregano is also used in recipes like Chicken Tacos, Spanish Rice, and Italian Chopped Salad.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning. Adjust to taste for balance.
For a flavorful twist, use some of our Creole Seasoning to season the chicken thighs. It adds a slightly spicy, bold flavor to the dish.
Recipe Variations
Easily customize this baked chicken thighs recipe to suit your taste.
- Spicy: Add cayenne or a drizzle of hot sauce for extra heat. Pairs well with baked rice for a satisfying meal.
- BBQ: Brush with BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes of baking. Serve with Cornbread and Macaroni Salad.
- Lemon-Garlic: Add lemon zest and extra garlic for a bright, aromatic variation. This version pairs wonderfully with Buttered Noodles and Smashed Brussels Sprouts.
How To Bake Chicken Thighs
These step-by-step photos and instructions help you visualize how to bake two chicken thighs. See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.
- Preheat Oven: Start by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Chicken: Take the chicken thighs out of the fridge and pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine all herbs and spices. Set aside 1/4 teaspoon of this mixture for later use, and stir in the olive oil.
- Season Chicken: Coat the chicken thighs evenly with the spice and oil mixture, making sure to get under the skin for extra flavor.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Sprinkle them with the reserved spice mix, pressing gently to ensure the seasoning adheres well.
- Bake: Cook the chicken in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 170°F, ensuring it’s cooked perfectly.
Substitution Tip: You can use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for this recipe. Keep in mind, they cook faster than bone-in thighs and typically take about 20-25 minutes at 400°F. Be sure to check them often to avoid overcooking.
Expert Tips
- Crispy Skin: Use a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet to promote air circulation, which helps create crispier skin. If you don’t have a rack, make sure the chicken pieces are spaced out on the baking sheet.
- Season Underneath: Gently lift the skin and season the meat underneath for deeper flavor and added crispness.
- Internal Temperature: Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 170°-175°F. For extra crispy skin, broil for the final 2 minutes of cooking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, boneless, skinless thighs work well. They cook faster, typically in 20-25 minutes at 400°F, so check often to prevent overcooking.
Use a meat thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 170°-175°F for juicy, fully cooked chicken.
Bake the chicken on a wire rack over a rimmed baking sheet for better air circulation. Broiling for the last 2 minutes also helps achieve crispier skin.
Absolutely, if you’d bake chicken thighs for two, just double the ingredient amounts.
Yes, store leftovers in an airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven to maintain crispiness.
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve made this small batch baked chicken thighs recipe, I’d love to hear how it turned out for you. Please rate the recipe and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Snapped a photo? Tag us on Instagram; we’d be thrilled to see your creation!
Baked Chicken Thighs For One
Watch How To Make This
Equipment
- wire rack – optional, but recommended
Ingredients
- 2 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- ⅛ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 ½ teaspoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Start by heating your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Prepare Chicken: Take the chicken thighs out of the fridge. Pat them dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
- Mix Spices: In a small bowl, combine all herbs and spices. Set aside 1/4 teaspoon of this mixture for later use, and stir in the olive oil
- Season Chicken: Coat the chicken thighs evenly with the spice and oil mixture, making sure to get under the skin for enhanced flavor.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the chicken thighs on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Sprinkle them with the reserved spice mix, pressing gently to ensure the seasoning adheres well.
- Bake: Cook the chicken in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature hits 170°F, ensuring it’s cooked perfectly.Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before eating.
Notes
- Crispy Skin: Use a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet to promote air circulation, which helps create crispier skin. If you don’t have a rack, make sure the chicken pieces are spaced out on the baking sheet.
- Season Underneath: Gently lift the skin and season the meat underneath for deeper flavor and added crispness.
- Internal Temperature: Cook the chicken until it reaches an internal temperature of 170°-175°F. For extra crispy skin, broil for the final 2 minutes of cooking.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
This recipe was SO GOOD. I didn’t have any skin-on boneless chicken, so I used 2 (two) boneless, skinless thighs. There was enough spice mixture to cover both sides of each thigh. I heated up some chicken flavored Rice A Roni and some cream corn. Like I said, it was SO GOOD. This meal was FANTASTIC. I would’ve taken a picture, but it smelled so inviting, I just dug in and ate both plates.
can i make this chicken in an air fryer instead of oven?
You probably can, but since I don’t use an air fryer myself, I can’t give you specific cooking times or details.
I made this delicious chicken thighs recipe, exactly as written, and it is easy and wonderful. Thank you Joni for all of your wonderful recipes for one!
Alisa
So easy, the chicken was prepped before the oven was ready. I made a side while the chicken baked. Dinner was really delicious, the spice rub (as written) took a simple dish way over the top. Wonderful!
Am going to use this recipe with 2 bone in chicken thighs I have thawed. Looks like it will be a winner!
Hi Joanie,
Can I sauté fresh onions and garlic instead of using garlic powder and onion powder? If so I much onion and garlic should I use in this recipe?
Garlic powder and onion powder do not agree with my husband lately.
Looking forward to make this recipe tomorrow.
Pamela Wante
Thanks for reaching out with your question. I totally understand wanting to adjust a recipe to suit personal tastes and needs. In this particular recipe, we’re creating a “paste” using seasonings and olive oil, which is why garlic powder and onion powder are used. They blend smoothly into a paste and distribute the flavors evenly.
Using fresh onions and garlic might not yield the same consistency or even distribution of flavors in this case. However, you can definitely experiment with other seasoning blends that you and your husband enjoy. For instance, a mix of salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, or a combination of salt, pepper, and smoked paprika, could work wonderfully. There are many seasoning combinations that can be used to create a delightful flavor profile.
Feel free to play around with your favorite blends to find what works best for you in this recipe.
I would love to bake the 2 chicken thighs and the other recipes you have but to use the oven for one or 2 items just isn’t worth it. I recently bought a Cuisinart air fryer, bake, toast etc and I wonder if some of these recipes could also be tagged for air fryers.
Thank you
Sincerely
Marlene Bann
I haven’t tested our recipes using an air fryer. For this chicken thighs recipe, an air fryer should work just fine since an air fryer is basically just a convection oven. I recommend that you reduce the baking temperature by 25°F and then cut the cook time by about 20%. Just use the pause button on your machine to occasionally check the doneness and flip for balanced crispness on all sides. It may take some experimenting with time and temperature but an air fryer should work just fine for this and other similar recipes.
Love your recipes. Perfect for one
They are so easy n delicious. Thank you
I’m so happy you are enjoying our recipes – thank you!
Could I use a leg quarter instead of 2 thighs? I have several leg quarters that I need to use.
Yes.
Great recipe.
Thank you!