How Long to Bake Large Chicken Thighs at 450 Degrees

Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs – loaded with flavor and super easy to make with only 10 minutes prep time PLUS other homemade seasoning variation to try. You won't believe they are baked! Dinner couldn't be any easier.

When I am shopping at a grocery store, I usually gravitate towards the poultry aisle to check if there is a sale going on, more often than not there is one. For only $5 you can have enough chicken to feed a family of 4 and still have leftovers. Chicken thighs are always on  sale, like once a month or every other week , if you are a super shopper.

So I grabbed a super value pack, stock up and give this chicken try thigh a go.

And since we're on the busiest time of the year, I'm bumping up this easy baked chicken thighs recipe for more visibility and updated it with other homemade seasonings to try. Yes! You can swap it with other seasonings for a variety. So get ready to rake in all the compliments!

These super crispy creole thighs are super easy to make. Just combine  the spices and  generously rub  on the meat and you'll have a mind-blowing tasty chicken meal right before your eyes. It is one of my favorite ways of using chicken thighs – you can easily get dinner on the table with minimal prep time.

Other Homemade Seasonings  you can use

Aside from my homemade Creole, you'll also get the same "awesomeness" using my other homemade seasonings below. And trust me, your family will be begging for more of this come dinner time.

1. Italian Seasoning – aromatic and more of an herb-flavored seasoning

1. Poultry Seasoning – with pine-like aroma and warm, citrusy, sweet notes

1. Jamaican Jerk Seasoning – warm, sweet, pungent flavor from allspice with notes of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg,

1. Taco Seasoning – spicy and savory Mexican flair from chili powder, cumin, and crushed pepper flakes among others

How to Get a Crispy Baked Chicken Thigh?

To get really crispy chicken skin, you have to crank up the temperature. Start with  450 F  for about 20 minutes then lower it, and finish cooking the chicken. Make sure the chicken is dry – use a paper towel to wipe it prior to seasoning and air drying them in the fridge.

What to Serve with Baked Chicken Thighs?

• Sauteed Kale
• Sauteed Brussel Sprouts
• Scalloped Potatoes
• Strawberry Spinach Salad
• Green Beans and Bacon
• Oven Roasted Red Potatoes
• Black Beans and Rice

More Easy Baked Dinner Recipes

• Baked Crispy Chicken Legs
• Oven Baked Chicken Breast
• Baked Shrimp
• Baked Cod
• Oven Baked Pork Chops

How to Bake Chicken Thighs

Wash chicken thighs, wipe with a paper towel. Salt chicken.

Combine spices (onion powder, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika, white and cayenne pepper bouillon powder). Mix well. OR use any of our suggested homemade seasonings above instead.

Sprinkle both sides with a generous amount of the spice blend.

Place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer, you can let them sit in the fridge overnight. Do not cover them; let them air-dry them or proceed with baking.

When ready to bake, preheat oven to 475 Degrees F°. Bake chicken thighs in the preheated oven starting at 475 degrees F for the first 20 minutes then drop to 400 degrees F. Bake until the skin is crispy, thighs are no longer pink at the bone, and the juices run clear about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Watch How to Make It

This post was first published in February 2014 and has been updated with new photos, a video, and some cooking tips and notes.

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 50 mins

Total: 1 hr

American

• ▢ 2 ½ - 3 pound (1135g-1362g) chicken thighs (about 5-6)
• ▢ 1 ½ - 2 teaspoons (7.5g-10g) salt (to salt chicken)
• ▢ 2 teaspoon (4g) onion powder
• ▢ ½ teaspoon (0.5g) dried thyme or oregano
• ▢ 1 teaspoon (3g) garlic powder
• ▢ 1 teaspoon (2g) smoked paprika
• ▢ ½ teaspoon (1g) white pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon (1g) cayenne pepper
• ▢ ½ teaspoon (1g) bouillon powder (you may replace with salt)

• Wash chicken thighs, wipe with a paper towel. Salt chicken . Combine spices(onion powder, thyme, oregano, garlic powder, smoked paprika,  white and cayenne pepper bouillon powder  , mix well.

• Sprinkle both sides with generous amount of the spice blend place them on a cookie sheet in a single layer, you can let them sit in the fridge overnight. Do not cover them; let the air-dry them or proceed with baking.

• When ready to bake, preheat oven to 475 Degrees F°.

• Bake chicken thighs in the preheated oven starting at 475 degrees F for the first 20 minutes then drop to 400 degrees F. Bake until skin is crispy, thighs are no longer pink at the bone, and the juices run clear, about 30 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

1. Other flavors you can try. Aside from the spice blend above, you may replace it with my other homemade seasonings: Italian seasoning, Poultry seasoning, Jerk seasoning and Taco seasoning.
2. Can you make this with boneless chicken thighs? Yes you can. Only the time changes – cook for about 20 minutes or more instead or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F.
3. What to do if the seasoning burns when baking? Try covering the chicken in foil, as you do a turkey or a pie crust, once it gets as brown as you want and continue baking!
4. Can these same instructions be used for other chicken parts on the bone as well? The cooking times would be the same. I usually start taking out the other parts about 5-7 minutes before the chicken thighs, depending on their size. Watch out for the breast it dries out quickly.
5. Can I use this on whole chicken? One of our readers has trued using the same instructions for a whole spatchcock chicken (cut open along the spine and laid flat).  Cook it at 20 mins at 450 F and 40 mins at 400 F.
6. Swap chicken bouillon with salt if you don't have any.
7. You may use regular baking pan without the wire rack and still get crispy skin, but not as much as the version in the photos.
8. Make-Ahead Instructions. If it is the same day, I would undercook the chicken and finish the remaining 10 minutes before serving – using the same temperature (400 degrees F works as well), if chicken is browning too fast.
9. Can I grill the chicken? You may grill the chicken thighs and get the same flavors (plus that smokey taste), but it wouldn't be as crispy as the oven version.
10. You can cook them immediately after seasoning with skin side up. You may flip them if they are browning too fast.
11. If you don't like spicy, omit cayenne pepper.
12. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is a rough estimate and can vary greatly based on products used.

Calories: 339 kcal (17%) | Carbohydrates: 2 g (1%) | Protein: 24 g (48%) | Fat: 25 g (38%) | Saturated Fat: 6 g (38%) | Cholesterol: 148 mg (49%) | Sodium: 161 mg (7%) | Potassium: 345 mg (10%) | Vitamin A: 680 IU (14%) | Vitamin C: 0.2 mg | Calcium: 15 mg (2%) | Iron: 1.3 mg (7%)

Course: Main

Cuisine: American

Keyword: baked chicken, baked chicken thighs, chicken

Nutrition Facts

Baked Crispy Chicken Thighs

Amount Per Serving

Calories 339 Calories from Fat 225

% Daily Value*

Fat 25g 38%

Saturated Fat 6g 38%

Cholesterol 148mg 49%

Sodium 161mg 7%

Potassium 345mg 10%

Carbohydrates 2g 1%

Protein 24g 48%

Vitamin A 680IU 14%

Vitamin C 0.2mg 0%

Calcium 15mg 2%

Iron 1.3mg 7%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

How Long to Bake Large Chicken Thighs at 450 Degrees

Source: https://www.africanbites.com/baked-crispy-chicken-thighs/

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