Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe: Foolproof Family Favorite

Succulent baked chicken thighs promise a delightful culinary adventure that’ll make your taste buds dance.

Crispy skin and tender meat form the perfect duo for a weeknight dinner.

Home cooks adore this simple yet impressive dish that requires minimal effort.

Salt, pepper, and your favorite herbs can elevate these juicy chicken pieces from ordinary to extraordinary.

Mediterranean and Asian spice blends work wonderfully to create unique flavor profiles.

Quick marination techniques help infuse deep, mouthwatering tastes into every single bite.

Nothing beats the satisfaction of pulling out a golden-brown tray of perfectly seasoned chicken that looks restaurant-worthy.

Savor each morsel and watch everyone at the table ask for seconds.

Baked Chicken Thighs That Are Crispy And Juicy

• Boost Weeknight Cooking: Transforms ordinary chicken into a crispy, flavorful dinner with minimal effort and just a few ingredients.
• Quick Family Meal: Prepares in under an hour, making it perfect for busy households needing delicious, crowd-pleasing protein that kids and adults will enjoy.
• Foolproof Technique: Requires basic kitchen skills with no complex steps, allowing even novice cooks to achieve professional-looking golden brown chicken every single time.
• Low-Mess Preparation: Uses simple mixing bowls and parchment paper for easy coating and cleanup, reducing kitchen stress and post-dinner washing time.

What’s Needed To Make Baked Chicken Thighs

• Chicken Thighs or Drumsticks: Tender meat cuts with rich flavor, boneless and skinless work best for even cooking.

• Mayonnaise, Mustard: Creamy base that helps breadcrumbs stick to chicken and adds tangy moisture.

• Bread Crumbs, Parmesan Cheese, Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Black Pepper: Crunchy coating with savory herbs and cheese that creates a delicious golden crust. Use plain bread crumbs for best results, freshly grated Parmesan offers more flavor, and dried herbs provide maximum taste intensity.

Baking Crispy Chicken Thighs

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 400°F, getting it ready for some seriously delicious chicken action.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Coating

• Mayonnaise
• Mustard

Blend until smooth and well combined.

Step 3: Craft the Crunchy Exterior

• Bread crumbs
• Parmesan cheese
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Black pepper

Stir until everything is evenly distributed.

Step 4: Dress the Chicken

Grab each chicken thigh and give it a luxurious bath in the mayo-mustard mixture, ensuring complete coverage.

Step 5: Add the Crispy Layer

Roll each mayo-coated chicken thigh in the seasoned bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to help the coating stick perfectly.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Lay out a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper for easy cleanup.

Arrange the coated chicken thighs on the prepared sheet, making sure they’re not touching.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Slide the baking sheet into the preheated oven and let the magic happen for 35-40 minutes.

Check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and develops a gorgeous golden-brown crust.

Step 8: Rest and Serve

Allow the chicken to rest for a few minutes, letting the juices redistribute and the coating set.

Plate up and enjoy your crispy, flavor-packed chicken thighs!

Pro Tips for Baked Chicken Thighs

• Pat chicken thighs dry before coating to ensure the breadcrumb mixture sticks better and creates a crispier exterior.
• Swap Italian seasoning with herbs like thyme, rosemary, or oregano to match your flavor preferences or complement different side dishes.
• Use a meat thermometer to verify the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe and juicy results, preventing overcooking or undercooking.
• Place chicken on a wire rack over the baking sheet to allow air circulation, maintaining the crispy coating all around.
• Replace regular bread crumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with dietary restrictions.

Baked Chicken Thighs Leftovers Keep Best When Stored This Way

• Store leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the refrigerator and consume within 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual chicken thighs tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag. Freeze for up to 3 months to maintain best quality and flavor.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place chicken on a baking sheet, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Heat chicken on a microwave-safe plate in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to avoid overcooking and maintain crispy coating.

Serving Ideas for Baked Chicken Thighs

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: A chilled Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio complements the rich, herby chicken coating, cutting through the creamy mayonnaise and balancing the garlic and Parmesan flavors.
• Create Zesty Side Salad: Toss a fresh arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to add brightness and acidity that enhances the breaded chicken's savory profile, providing a light contrast to the main dish.
• Serve Roasted Vegetable Medley: Prepare a colorful mix of roasted bell peppers, zucchini, and carrots seasoned with similar Italian herbs, which echoes the chicken's seasonings and provides a nutritious accompaniment.
• Match with Tangy Dipping Sauce: Prepare a quick honey-mustard or garlic aioli as a condiment, offering an extra layer of flavor that highlights the chicken's crispy exterior and complements its herbed breadcrumb coating.

Baked Chicken Thighs Edits

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace bread crumbs with crushed gluten-free cornflakes or almond flour for a celiac-friendly version that maintains crispy texture.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap bread crumbs with ground pork rinds or crushed pork panko to reduce carbohydrate content while keeping a crunchy coating.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese and coconut-based mayonnaise to accommodate dairy-sensitive diets.
• Herb-Infused Variation: Experiment with different herb blends like za'atar, herbes de Provence, or ranch seasoning mix to create unique flavor profiles.

FAQs

• Why use mayonnaise in this recipe?

Mayonnaise helps create a moist, tender chicken by adding fat and helping the breadcrumb coating stick better to the meat, ensuring a crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes, you can substitute chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time since they are leaner and can dry out more quickly. Reduce baking time by about 5-10 minutes and check internal temperature carefully.

• How do I know if the breadcrumb coating is properly done?

The coating should look golden brown and feel crispy when you tap it. If it looks pale, you might need to broil for an extra 1-2 minutes to achieve that perfect golden color.

• Is Parmesan cheese necessary for this recipe?

While Parmesan adds great flavor and helps create a crunchier coating, you can substitute with other hard cheeses like pecorino or skip cheese entirely if needed, though the taste will be slightly different.

Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

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4.5 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Succulent Herb-Crusted Chicken Thighs bring Mediterranean flavors to your dinner table with remarkable ease. Crispy golden skin and juicy meat promise a delightful meal that will satisfy you in every delectable bite.

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Ingredients

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Chicken:

• 6–8 skinless chicken thighs or drumsticks

Breading and Seasoning:

• 1 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Binding Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons regular mustard

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven by heating to 400°F (200°C), ensuring the rack is positioned in the center.
2. Create a creamy binding layer by whisking mayonnaise and mustard in a shallow mixing bowl until smooth and fully integrated.
3. Develop a crispy exterior coating by thoroughly blending bread crumbs, grated Parmesan, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and freshly ground black pepper in a separate wide dish.
4. Transform each chicken thigh into a flavor-packed morsel by generously brushing the entire surface with the mayonnaise-mustard mixture.
5. Immediately transfer the coated chicken thighs into the seasoned bread crumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure a complete and even crisp coating adheres to every surface.
6. Arrange the prepared chicken thighs on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart to promote even heat circulation and optimal crispiness.
7. Roast in the preheated oven for approximately 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the chicken reaches a safe internal temperature of 165°F and develops a golden-brown, crunchy exterior.
8. Allow the chicken to rest for 3-5 minutes after removing from the oven, which helps redistribute internal juices and maintain optimal moisture.

Notes

• Use skinless chicken thighs for a leaner option, reducing overall fat content while maintaining moisture.
• Swap regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond flour or crushed gluten-free crackers for celiac-friendly version.
• Pat chicken thighs completely dry before coating to ensure crispy, well-adhered breading that doesn’t become soggy during baking.
• For extra flavor enhancement, marinate chicken in buttermilk or yogurt for 2-3 hours before coating to tenderize and infuse more depth.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg