My whole family loves this crispy and juicy oven baked chicken thighs. Nothing beats delicious comfort food. With just a few minutes of prep, you can have a satisfying meal in the oven that will leave everyone asking for seconds.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray with cooling spray for easy cleanup and set aside.
Arrange the chicken thighs on a prepared baking sheet with the skin side down.
8 Chicken Thighs
Sprinkle 1 Teaspoon of seasoned salt. Add the cup of water to the pan. I pour it on the side of one of the thighs, so I don’t wash off the seasoned salt. This helps keep the chicken from burning, adds moisture, and helps make a base for a delicious gravy after.
2 Teaspoons Seasoned Salt, 1 Cup Water
Bake chicken uncovered in preheated oven for 35 minutes.
In a small bowl, mix the remaining seasoned salt, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning.
2 Teaspoons Paprika, ½ Teaspoon Black Pepper, ½ Teaspoon Onion Powder, ½ Teaspoon Garlic Powder, ½ Teaspoon Italian Seasoning
Remove the pan from the oven. Using a tongs, flip the chicken over and sprinkle the remaining spices over the chicken evenly.
Continue baking for another 40 minutes. Your chicken should be golden brown with a nice crispy skin. To make sure it is done, you can temp it. Chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees to be safe for eating.
For a twist on this simple recipe, you could sprinkle the chicken with some cayenne pepper for a little heat.
Check the Internal Temperature
To ensure the chicken is cooked perfectly, use an instant-read thermometer to check the internal temperature. The thickest part of the thigh should register 165°F (degrees F) when it’s ready. This is a great way to avoid undercooking or drying out the chicken.