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Craving a comforting and satisfying meal that’s both easy to prepare and delightful to eat? Look no further than these baked chicken thighs! Ideal for anyone cooking for one, this recipe brings together simple ingredients to create a dish that’s packed with flavor. With crispy, golden skin and juicy, tender meat, these chicken thighs are a perfect choice for a quick yet delicious dinner.
To perfectly complement these easy baked chicken thighs, consider pairing them with our creamy Mashed Potatoes, crispy Roasted Brussels Sprouts, rich Mac and Cheese, tender Sautéed Green Beans, flavorful Garlic Smashed Potatoes, or a side of quinoa.
Why You’ll Love This Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe
- Effortless Cooking: Simple instructions and common ingredients make this dish a breeze to prepare.
- Flavorful: Each bite is infused with a blend of herbs and spices, offering a rich and aromatic experience.
- Perfect for One: Tailored for a single serving, it’s ideal for a personal meal without leftovers. Want to make this a dinner for two? Simply double the ingredients.
- Crispy & Juicy: The technique used ensures a crispy skin outside and succulent meat inside.
- Versatile: Easy to pair with various sides, making it a versatile option for any meal.
Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this baked chicken thighs recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Chicken Thighs: The star of the dish, known for their juiciness. Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for optimal flavor and moisture retention. Boneless, skinless thighs are an alternative, but the skin and bone contribute to a richer taste and are more budget-friendly.
- Olive Oil: Adds moisture and helps spices adhere. Canola oil, avocado oil, or melted butter are good alternatives.
- Garlic Powder & Onion Powder: Provides a savory depth. Fresh minced garlic and onion can be used for a more intense flavor. These seasonings are considered pantry staples and we use them in many of our single serving and small batch recipes like Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas and Slow Cooker Pot Roast.
- Paprika: Gives a mild heat and color. Smoked paprika can be used for a smokier profile. Also one of our favorite seasonings, consider using paprika in Chicken Paprika and in a small batch of crispy Buffalo Cauliflower.
- Oregano: Adds an earthy note. Thyme or rosemary are great alternatives. You can find oregano in many of our recipes like Chicken Tacos, Spanish Rice, and Italian Chopped Salad.
- Kosher Salt & Black Pepper: Essential for seasoning. Adjust according to taste.
As an alternative to using individual spices, try our small batch Creole Seasoning to season the chicken thighs. It offers a slightly spicy and robustly flavorful twist to the dish.
Recipe Variations
Explore these creative twists to enhance this classic baked chicken thigh recipe. Each variation offers a unique flavor profile, inviting you to experiment and personalize your meal.
- Spicy Kick: Amplify the heat by adding cayenne pepper or a drizzle of hot sauce to the spice mix, perfect for those who enjoy a fiery touch. Enjoy this spice version with a side of Baked Rice.
- BBQ Style: For a sweet and tangy twist, generously brush your chicken thighs with BBQ sauce during the last 10 minutes of baking. Serve with a piece of buttery Cornbread and Macaroni Salad.
- Lemon-Garlic: Combine lemon zest and extra garlic for a zesty, fragrant variation that adds a refreshing flavor to the dish. Enjoy 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 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.
Substitution Tip: This recipe is also suitable for boneless chicken thighs baked in the oven. Keep in mind that boneless, skinless thighs cook quicker than bone-in ones. Typically, they take about 20-25 minutes to cook at 400°F. Therefore, it’s important to check them frequently to ensure they don’t overcook.
Expert Tips
- Crispy Skin: Bake on a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet for air circulation and crispier skin. If no rack, ensure there is space around the chicken on the baking sheet.
- Season Underneath: Gently separate the skin from the meat to season underneath, enhancing flavor and crispness.
- Internal Temperature: Bake to an internal temperature of 170° – 175°F. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes but boneless, skinless thighs cook quicker than bone-in ones. Typically, they take about 20-25 minutes to cook at 400°F.
While not essential, using a wire rack allows heat to circulate evenly around the chicken, aiding in even cooking and crispier skin. If you don’t have one, just ensure there’s space around each thigh on the baking sheet.
Absolutely! Adding vegetables like carrots, potatoes, or onions can create a complete meal in one pan. Just ensure they are cut in sizes that will cook evenly with the chicken.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through, though the oven will better preserve the crispiness of the skin.
Absolutely, if you’d like to make extra chicken, just double or triple the ingredient amounts.
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:
For more information on the cooking and baking dishes I use in our “recipes for one”, please visit our FAQ page.
For examples of the dishes used at One Dish Kitchen, please visit our Store page.
If you’ve made this easy 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 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 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: Bake on a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet for air circulation and crispier skin. If no rack, ensure there is space around the chicken on the baking sheet.
- Season Underneath: Gently separate the skin from the meat to season underneath, enhancing flavor and crispness.
- Internal Temperature: Bake to an internal temperature of 170° – 175°F. For extra crispiness, broil for the last 2 minutes.
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!