Best baked chicken thighs recipe is about to happen right here today! Tender, juicy chicken, coated in a bold, flavor-packed chicken rub, and quickly baked in a high-heated oven. Be sure to check out my tips and video below.

Baked chicken thighs in a large baking dish

I’ve said this before, but you can not go wrong with chicken thighs. They are convenient, affordable, and forgiving–you don’t have to watch the pan like hawk to get good results.

And you can really play up the flavor, from cilantro lime chicken to Greek chicken, chicken cacciatore, baharat chicken, and today’s oven baked chicken thighs, which is one of my personal favorites!

What I love about these oven baked chicken thighs

This is chicken thighs recipe I can totally get behind. First, it’s easy to make in just one pan or baking dish. It is also the juiciest baked chicken recipe you’ll try. Every bite is tender and succulent, it is hard to stop eating!

The star of this recipe tough is the bold chicken rub made of a few pantry staples including tomato paste, fresh garlic, and a few warm spices including cumin and smoked paprika (or sweet paprika, if you prefer).

The rub gives the chicken thighs a beautiful, mouth-watering color AND quickly infuses them with big smoky, warm flavors without the need to marinate! That’s right, you do not need to budget time for the chicken to marinate, once you coat the pieces with the rub, you can stick them right in the oven to bake!

Chicken thighs baked in a baking dish

The chicken rub

Here is what you need to make the rub:

  • Tomato paste: this is where the beautiful mouth-watering color on your chicken will come from. Tomato paste is also a great way to add some umami. I used 5 tablespoons of tomato paste.
  • A good extra virgin olive oil. EVOO here will add depth and richness to the chicken rub and will make it easily spreadable (you want to make sure to get that rub evenly all over the chicken). A good-tasting oil can make all the difference here too, and you only need 1/3 cup (the oils I use are available at our online shop here).
  • Citrus. I used juice of 1 lemon for brightness and a bit of tang.
  • Garlic. My preference for this is fresh garlic, I used 4 large garlic cloves, minced (not shy with our garlic over here. It is all the flavor!)
  • Spices: 1 teaspoon of each dried oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. I love the smoky, warm, and rich tones the combination of these four spices provide. You can also try sweet paprika, in place of the smoked. And if you like a little spicy kick, you can add a pinch of cayenne or a bit of Aleppo-style pepper to the rub.

How to cook chicken thighs in the oven

This delicious oven baked chicken thigh recipe will quickly become your go-to, and it takes just a few simple steps (the print-friendly recipe is just below):

  • Season the chicken well with kosher salt
    Pat 8 chicken thighs dry. When you season, make sure to apply kosher salt on both sides of the chicken pieces and also underneath the skin. Because many of us do not eat the skin, it is important to apply the seasoning underneath the skin. Set the chicken aside for a little bit while you prepare the rub.

    Raw chicken thighs with skin on place on a baking pan
  • Make the chicken rub
    To make this wet rub, combine 5 tablespoons of tomato paste, 1/3 cup good extra virgin olive oil, and juice of 1 lemon. Add 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1 teaspoon each dry oregano, smoked paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Mix well. The rub will be thick but spreadable.

    Sauce for chicken thighs
  • Apply the rub to the chicken
    Like you did with the salt, apply the rub all over the chicken pieces, making sure you get underneath the skins for best flavor.

    Raw chicken thighs placed in a baking dish
  • Assemble and bake
    Lightly brush the bottom of a large 9″ x 13″ baking dish with olive oil. Arrange some onion slices on the bottom of the dish to act as a bed for your chicken. Arrange the chicken on top of the onions.

    And for fun, insert some onion and tomato slices between the arranged chicken thighs (as the chicken cooks, the tomatoes and onions will release some juices, imparting even more flavor)!

    Bake on the middle rack of a 425 degrees F heated-oven for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through. I like to put it under the broiler for a couple of minutes to get golden brown crispy skins.
Baked chicken thighs in a blue baking dish

How long to cook chicken thighs?

In a higher heated oven set at 400 to 425 degrees F, baked chicken thighs will cook in about 40 minutes or so. The chicken is done when its juices run clear and skins gain a nice golden brown color. To be sure, use an instant read thermometer to determine if your chicken is ready; the internal temperature of the cooked chicken should register at 165 degrees F at the thickest part.

Do you need to flip the chicken thighs over when baking?

I do not flip the thighs over for this baked chicken recipe, you do not need to. It is baked uncovered, and so the skin on the chicken thigh should gain some good color as they bake. And If you find that the skins need more color, it’s not a bad idea to use the broiler for a minute or two.

Can I make this with chicken breasts instead?

Yes, you absolutely can try baked chicken breast instead. Adjust the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Watch closely as chicken breasts can dry out if left too long. Use the broiler briefly if the skins need a little more color. Again, the internal temperature of cooked chicken should register at 165 degrees F at the thickest part.

How to reheat chicken without drying out?

If you have leftover baked chicken thighs, they should be stored in the fridge in a tight-lid glass container. They will keep well for 3 to 4 nights.

To reheat chicken, I like to use the oven set on a medium temperature like 325 degrees F. If you need to, add a little bit of liquid to the pan (water or broth) then cover with foil and heat until warmed through.

Tools & supplies for this recipe

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4.80 from 262 votes

Juiciest Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Suzy Karadsheh of The Mediterranean Dish. In the kitchenSuzy Karadsheh
Baked chicken thighs in a large baking dish
Best baked chicken thighs recipe is about to happen right here today! Tender, juicy chicken, coated in a bold, flavor-packed chicken rub, and quickly baked in a high-heated oven.
Prep – 20 minutes
Cook – 40 minutes
Total – 1 hour
Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Serves – 8 pieces
Course:
Dinner

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken thighs, bone in, and leave the skin on but trim excess fat
  • Kosher Salt
  • 3 medium yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 vine ripe tomato, sliced into rounds
  • For the chicken rub
  • 5 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, more as needed
  • 1 lemon, juice of
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 teaspoon dry oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 425 degrees F.
  • Season the chicken thighs with kosher salt on both sides and underneath the skins. Set aside briefly.
  • Make the rub. In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the rub ingredients. Whisk until everything is well-incorporated.
  • Rub the chicken with the tomato rub on both sides, applying underneath the skins first.
  • Prepare a 9" X 13" baking dish. Brush the bottom of the dish with extra virgin olive oil. Arrange most of the sliced onions on the bottom. Arrange the chicken on top of the onions. Now add the rest of the onions and the sliced tomatoes between the chicken thighs. Pour in about 1/4 cup of water from the sides of the baking dish.
  • Bake in the middle of your heated rack for 40 minutes or so, then, for crispy colored skin, put it under the broiler for a couple of minutes (watch carefully).

Video

Notes

  • Leftovers & Storage: bring any leftover baked chicken thighs to room temperature then store in the fridge in a tight-lid container. If properly stored, they should keep well for 3 to 4 nights. 
  • To make this with chicken breasts instead: use bone in, skin on breasts. Adjust the oven temperature to 375 degrees F and cook for about 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear (internal temperature should be 165 degrees). Watch carefully because chicken breasts do tend to dry out, so make sure to get them out of the oven as soon as they are done. 
  • Visit our online shop to browse quality Mediterranean ingredients including olive oils and spices used in this recipe. 

Nutrition

Calories: 312.9kcalCarbohydrates: 8.1gProtein: 20.1gFat: 28.1gSaturated Fat: 6.3gTrans Fat: 0.1gCholesterol: 110.7mgSodium: 323.2mgPotassium: 540mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 502IUVitamin C: 10.7mgCalcium: 49.9mgIron: 1.8mg
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I’m Suzy; born and bred right on the shores of the Mediterranean. I’m all about easy, healthy recipes with big Mediterranean flavors. Three values guide my cooking: eat with the seasons; use whole foods; and above all, share! So happy you’re here…
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4.80 from 262 votes (177 ratings without comment)

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Comments

  1. Sam says:

    5 stars
    This chicken was delicious! We loved it!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Sam!

  2. Debra Palmer says:

    5 stars
    Delicious recipe. The chicken was so flavorful. It was quick and easy to assemble. I’m happy to add this to my collection and look forward to leftovers this evening. Thanks, Suzy!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Debra!

  3. EVELYN PATRICK says:

    5 stars
    LOVE EVERYTHING SO FAR TRYING AT LEAST 3 RECIPES A WEEK

    1. Suzy says:

      That is so great to hear! Thanks, Evelyn!

  4. Izzy says:

    5 stars
    Everything about this recipe makes me happy, from the rich broth to the bite of the soft, flavorful meat!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Izzy!

  5. Jen says:

    5 stars
    My husband wouldn’t stop raving about how delicious this chicken was! He’s already asking when we’ll have it again.

  6. Lori says:

    5 stars
    Excellent chicken dinner recipe- my whole family loved this!

    1. Suzy says:

      Wonderful! Thanks, Lori!

  7. Donna Batrone says:

    5 stars
    Thank you for this recipe, the whole family LOVED this chicken!

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome! Thanks, Donna!

  8. Dannii says:

    5 stars
    This chicken looks perfectly cooked. You can’t beat chicken thighs too.

  9. Anjali says:

    5 stars
    This recipe looks so comforting and delicious!! I can’t wait to try it this weekend!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thank you, Anjali!

  10. Jamie says:

    5 stars
    Juice indeed and so flavorful! Love how easy it was to make these chicken thighs! My family loved it!

    1. Suzy says:

      Thanks, Jamie!

  11. Jessie says:

    5 stars
    This is perfect and I have chicken that I am needing to make this weekend!! looks like it is a new recipe for me!!

    1. Suzy says:

      Yay! Hope you loved it!

  12. Beth says:

    5 stars
    Yum! My family is going to love this recipe! I can’t wait to make this! So excited!

    1. Suzy says:

      Enjoy!

  13. Cecile Hamermesh says:

    Off topic for a moment, how would you make a clear-ish, non-tomato based marinade/broth. I ordered Chinese the other day – it came with scallops in this delicious clear liquid with dry thin crackly noodles. To reheat the following day, I poured boiling water on the noodles to soften them up, and just reheated everything else in a small pot. To embellish, I added cut veggies and boiled them in some vegetable broth. That combined (even with dumplings) was delicious. However, the base came from the Chinese restaurant and I have no idea how they made the clear broth. Can you suggest a Mediterranean recipe for the same?

  14. Gretchen Nelson says:

    5 stars
    I LOVE ALLTHE RECIPES i HAVE GOTTEN FROM YOU !!!!

    1. Suzy says:

      I am so glad to hear it! Thank you

  15. Gail Numark says:

    Can it be made with boneless and skinless thighs?

    1. Suzy says:

      Sure, Gail. That should be fine.

      1. Denise says:

        If I use boneless, skinless thighs does the cooking time reduce at all?

      2. Suzy says:

        Hi Denise, yes, for boneless skinless thighs I’d check at 20 minutes and go from there.

    2. Rick says:

      Thank you for the nutritional analysis.
      What is the serving size? Sorry if I missed it. Haven’t watched the video yet.

      1. Suzy says:

        Hi, Rick! The serving size would be one chicken thigh with some of the veggies. This is just a best estimate using a basic nutrition calculator. Enjoy!

  16. Cindy says:

    5 stars
    If I could give this recipe more than 5 stars, I totally would! I just happened to have all the ingredients so I went ahead and got it started for dinner (I couldn’t wait). I just tried a bite, and boy, this is 100 percent my new favorite.

    1. Suzy says:

      Awesome, Cindy! Thanks for sharing.