I’m showing you How To: Roasted Chicken Thighs (bone-in) to simplify a kitchen staple and give you an easy, healthy meal. The juiciest chicken ever!
So, you find some chicken thighs on sale…
You’re meandering through the grocery store, and eventually, you make your way over to the meat aisle. You scan the cases for the hottest deals and $1.99lb chicken comes into your peripheral view. You all but run over to see what you’re going to score for dinner and then you see it “BONE-IN chicken thighs”. Umm…gross. What are you supposed to do, touch bones or something? You don’t know how to butcher a chicken. You pick up a pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts for double the price and leave the store feeling defeated.
Sound like you? That was me, too!! For some reason, whenever we see bone-in anything it automatically triggers anxiety for some of us. I get it! Are you supposed to remove the bone before cooking? Leave it in? When do you take it out? How do you know if it’s cooked?! The questions are honestly endless. Try my Instant Pot Chicken Thighs for another easy way!
Okay everybody – take a deep breath. I’m going to show you. Even if this is your first time cooking with chicken, you can totally do this. The secret to cooking wonderful roasted chicken thighs (or breasts) is to roast them with skin on and bone in. Trust me on this, you’ll be adding this recipe to your dinner rotation in no time.
WHY BONE-IN , SKIN ON CHICKEN THIGHS?
Because this literally traps the flavor and the moisture so when you’re through cooking, you have an incredibly flavorful piece of meat that is anything but ordinary. When it’s time to eat the chicken, I simply remove the skin and eat around the bone, or, I wait for it to cool and remove the bone and skin by pulling on each gently.
One more thing before we begin – DO NOT THROW AWAY THE BONES AND THE SKIN (if you choose not to eat the skin, which is delicious). I repeat, do not throw away the bones and the skin. Because if you set them aside, you can literally toss them into your slow cooker with scrap veggies, onions, and garlic, fill to the brim with water, add a dash of ACV, and let it sit on low for 24 hours to make chicken bone broth. Like, is that a LIFE HACK or what, people?! Here’s the bone broth recipe I use by Danielle Walker with Against All Grain. This will make about $15 worth of chicken bone broth.
INGREDIENTS AND KITCHEN TOOLS
If you’re looking for a delicious and easy-to-make chicken dish, look no further than bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. This recipe requires minimal prep time and a handful of simple ingredients that can be found in any kitchen. The combination of bone-in thighs with crispy, golden skin creates a mouthwatering dish that is juicy and full of flavor. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or hosting a dinner party, this bone-in, skin-on chicken thigh recipe is sure to impress everyone at the table.
Skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
Smoked Paprika
Garlic powder
Onion powder
Ground sage
Sea salt
Black pepper
Olive oil
Kitchen Tools
Preparing bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs calls for the right kitchen tools to achieve mouthwatering results.Whether you’re a seasoned home cook or a beginner in the culinary world, having the proper tools at your disposal will make all the difference in creating delicious and succulent chicken thighs that will impress even the most discerning palates. Here are some of my must-have kitchen tools for perfectly preparing bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, elevating your cooking skills to new heights.
High Quality Baking Pan
Meat Thermometer
Teaspoons & Tablespoons
Ramekin or Small Bowl
Rimmed Baking Sheet
STEP BY STEP | SEASON, BAKE AND ENJOY THE EASIEST CHICKEN RECIPE
This recipe seriously takes no time at all to prep and cook. With the perfect blend of spices and cooking them at the correct temp, you will have the most delicious chicken thighs ever!
Step 1: Thirty minutes prior to baking, grab your chicken thighs out of the fridge and allow them to come to room temp. This allows for more even cooking.
Step 2: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
Step 3: Get out a baking sheet pan and line it with parchment paper or spray with olive oil cooking spray.
Step 4: Measure all of your spices, salt, and pepper into a small ramekin or bowl. Mix the spice rub together.
Step 5: Remove your chicken from the package and pat dry with a paper towel. Lay the pieces on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
Step 6: Next, evenly sprinkle and divide the spice mixture between each piece of chicken, and rub the mixture in, making sure to get a good bit of it under the skin. This will lock in moisture from the oil and flavor from the spices.
Step 7: Place the chicken into the preheated oven for approximately 30-32 minutes or until they reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. There should be no pink left in the middle. Before cutting or eating the chicken, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE allow it to rest for around 10 minutes to seal in the moisture you so carefully tried to create.
Step 8: Once you eat or remove the bones and skin, be sure to save them for chicken bone broth!
HOW TO SERVE OVEN-ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS
These chicken thighs are perfect on their own. We love serving them with my roasted scored potatoes or a baked sweet potato and a vegetable (i.e green beans, broccoli or even some roasted Brussels sprouts) for a side dish. If I have leftovers, I will remove the bone, slice the chicken up, and use as my protein over salads or roasted vegetables for lunches throughout the week. Pro tip: whip up a quick vinaigrette by mixing, olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice and some salt and pepper. It is fresh and pairs perfectly with this chicken.
STORING AND REHEATING
If you have some leftover chicken thighs, you can remove the bone and store in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. Serve as is, over salads or roasted vegetables for the perfect protein filled lunch.
OTHER ROASTED CHICKEN RECIPES
Want more easy, how-to recipes like this? Try out my Sheet Pan Chicken Thigh Dinner With Veggies & Herby Garlic Sauce, it is seriously the most perfect weeknight dinner the whole family will love! My Lemony Sheet Pan Chicken And Potato Bake | With White Wine Butter Sauce is such an elevated dish and loaded with flavor! Also try my Golden Raisin Skillet Chicken Thigh Dinner or learn How to Roast a Whole Chicken easily!
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Back to the bird…
PrintHow To Roast Bone-In Chicken Thighs
I’m showing you How To: Roast Bone-In Chicken Thighs to simplify a kitchen staple and give you an easy, healthy meal. The juiciest chicken ever!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 32 +/- minutes
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 lb. skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1/2 tsp. ground sage
- 2 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1 Tbsp. + 1 tsp. of olive oil – 1 tsp. for each thigh
Instructions
- Thirty minutes prior to baking, grab your chicken thighs out of the fridge and allow them to come to room temp. This allows for more even cooking.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Get out a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper or spray with olive oil.
- Measure all of your spices, salt, and pepper into a small ramekin or bowl. Mix the spice rub together.
- Remove your chicken from the package and pat dry with a paper towel. Lay the pieces on the baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Next, evenly divide the spice mixture between each piece of chicken, and rub the mixture in, making sure to get a good bit of it under the skin. This will lock in moisture from the oil and flavor from the spices.
- Place the chicken into the preheated oven for approximately 30-32 minutes or until a cooking thermometer reads 165 degrees. There should be no pink left in the middle. Before cutting or eating the chicken, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE allow it to rest for around 10 minutes to seal in the moisture you so carefully tried to create.
- Once you eat or remove the bones and skin, be sure to save them for chicken bone broth!
Ashley @ The Small Town Foodie says
I’ve finally been getting past my fear of bone-in meat and I’m so excited about it. I roasted a whole turkey last weekend and I plan to use the bones for broth soon 🙂 Love these “how to” posts!
jess larson | plays well with butter says
girl you killed it with this one! one of my favorite ways to stay on budget is to shop the discounted meat in the meat cooler…it’s usually big ol family packs of bone in meat & it helps us save so much money!
Emily says
WOW. Allie, these are beautiful! I do love working with bone in meat, but it’s definitely not as easy. The bones and skin give it so much more flavor, and I love how you encouraged us to use it to make broth so nothing is wasted.
Sarah @ Bucket List Tummy says
I am definitely guilty of being intimidated by bone in anything. Thanks for breaking this down and making it seem much easier. And you mastered it – the spices and cooking looks absolutely perfect!
Miss AK says
Aww thank you, Sarah! And it is intimidating!
Andy Bishop says
The chicken looks simply divine! I can’t wait to try making it for the family. Thanks!
Martha says
Nice easy recipe but Bone In was the ONLY way you could get chicken when I was your age. Glad to see a new appreciation for it and the value of the bones for broth. What was old is new again. 😉
Miss AK says
So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Martha!
Rita says
Delish!
Miss AK says
So glad you enjoyed!
adams@nationalrestaurantny says
This looks awesome, I love chicken. I imagine it smells amazing while roasting. Thanks for sharing.
Miss AK says
So glad you love them, too!
Williams Chris says
ROASTED CHICKEN THIGHS is great! To be honest, I’m not good at cooking but I like them, they give me joy and excitement every time I finish the dishes, which is a great thing. With your recipe, just need to follow the instructions and the rest is simple, thank you for sharing them.
Miss AK says
Glad you enjoyed!
Lisa says
I never comment on a recipe, however you must know that this is the BEST CHICKEN RECIPE EVER!
I love bone-in, skin on thighs,…. the seasoning, & cooking method is perfect! (I do add 1/2 tsp turmeric) I bake mine on 375 convection roast, but have also cooked at 400 per your recipe. Either way the dish turns out perfect every time! Also works great for chicken legs !
Thank you!
Miss AK says
Oh, I need to try with legs, what a fabulous idea!! I love your addition of turmeric, what beautiful color they must have. Thank you for commenting!
Melissa says
Quick and easy for a weeknight! Thanks for the recipe and the beautiful photos!
Sophie Turner says
These are some great tips! And you’ve got it right; it makes a massive difference. Choosing the right Gas Range For Home Chef can be pretty tricky, but this guide made it a lot simpler! Thank you so much for writing; this was helpful!
Miss AK says
You’re welcome!
Elan says
This looks so delicious and yummy food recipe. Such an amazing and wonderful reading article for me as I’m trying to learning new recipes by reading some blog article. I always enjoy your all article. Thank you for sharing this.
Helan says
Thanks For Sharing this Amazing Recipe. My Family Loved It. I will be sharing this Recipe with my Friends. Hope They will like it.
Jojo says
Great recipe ! The only thing I would add is to be prepared for a much longer baking time depending upon the size of the chicken thighs. Mine took just over an hour to be done. They turned out delicious!
Miss AK says
Interesting! This can vary due to bird size, but glad you enjoyed them!
moozi says
Hey guys am rate this recipe after tried it at home
You made our last diner full of LOL
Thank you so much
Jean Todd says
Once you’ve done making bone broth, put skins in oven and bake for about 20 minutes for the most delicious chicarrones
james says
wow, this looks so appetizing. i just love roasted chicken thighs . i must want t try this. thanks for sharing this amazing article and recipe of roasted chicken thighs.
Esther says
Just made this last night and it’s def my go to roasted chicken recipe now! Ate it with some roasted chicken rice I had in the pantry and broccoli and my bf loved it too. I added a little bit of lemon pepper as well and a pinch of cayenne and it turned out so good. I shredded it and then used it today on an Asian sesame salad and it was amazing!
Miss AK says
YUM! sounds absolutely delicious, Esther. Glad these are a hit and they turned out amazing for you!
Janet Rhodes says
How much chicken bones do you need to make chicken bone broth? Also can you tell me how to do it?
Shreya @ The Creatives HourThis says
This looks awesome & the recipe is super easy & quick. Thank you for sharing;)
Neha @ Love Food Recipes says
This recipe is amazing & a perfect serve for dinner. Thank you for sharing;) Looking for more such recipes!
zucchero says
Great recipe ! The only thing I would add is to be prepared for a much longer baking time depending upon the size of the chicken thighs. Mine took just over an hour to be done. They turned out delicious! i just love this.
William David says
You can explain very well. Chicken Thighs is one of the most favorite dishes.
Donna says
This recipe was so easy and delicious. I made it exactly as described. I also took a chance and put some cauliflower covered with a crunchy coating in the pan with the chicken. I used a shallow metal baking pan with one inch sides. I was prepared for it to take longer with the cauliflower and chicken on the pan together. But at 400 and in just 30 minutes, it was all done perfectly! Easy peasy!
Katie Reed says
Amazing recipe! The flavor was great. Have yet to find one of Allies recipes that my family doesn’t love! Thankyou!
Diana says
Yum, made it and it’s a keeper!
Miss AK says
Yay! So glad you’re loving this recipe, Diana!
Judith Crichton says
Love the easy peasy delicious recipe and bone broth to boot! 🙏🙏
Angie says
So glad I found this recipe! Thighs were juicy and perfectly cooked. I let them roast about 35 minutes and cracked the oven to let them rest 10 minutes. Thanks!
Miss AK says
YUM! Glad these turned out amazing for you, Angie!