Description
This Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs recipe delivers juicy, tender chicken thighs seasoned with a smoky and mildly spicy blend of spices. Perfectly baked in the oven, this dish is an easy and flavorful option for a quick dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
Seasoning
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or ½ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton kosher salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (not regular paprika)
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is at the right temperature for baking the chicken thighs evenly and to achieve a slightly crisp exterior.
- Prepare the Seasoning Mix: In a small bowl, combine the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to create a balanced, flavorful spice blend.
- Coat the Chicken Thighs: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and rub to coat thoroughly. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture evenly over both sides of each thigh, ensuring full coverage for maximum flavor.
- Arrange for Baking: Place the seasoned chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased rack. Spread them out so they’re not touching to allow even heat circulation and crispy edges.
- Bake the Chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the chicken is cooked through with a juicy center.
- Rest and Serve: Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring moist and tender meat.
Notes
- You can substitute the smoked paprika with regular paprika but the smoky flavor will be less pronounced.
- Using boneless skinless thighs keeps cooking time shorter and meat tender.
- Adjust cayenne pepper based on your preferred spice level.
- Use a meat thermometer to check doneness for perfect results every time.
- Leftover chicken thighs can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for 2 months.
Keywords: baked chicken thighs, boneless chicken thighs, smoked paprika chicken, easy chicken recipe, oven baked chicken