Wishing tonight’s dinner was straightforward, cheap, and fairly tough to mess up? Bonus factors if it’s wholesome? Time to make Baked Hen Thighs!
Whereas boneless skinless rooster breast may occupy the default setting in your grocery purchasing method (individuals not often complain about juicy Grilled Chicken Breast), it’s effectively value choosing up a pack of bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs once in a while as an alternative.
Why I Love Hen Thighs
- Darkish rooster thigh meat is juicier and much much less vulnerable to drying out than white breast meat.
- Whereas many assume chicken is more healthy, that is hardly the case. Hen thighs are full of vitamin. In comparison with chicken, darkish meat has extra iron, zinc, vitamin B-12, thiamine, and different vitamins too. Convey on the rooster thigh recipes!
- Sure, darkish meat has extra fats than white, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a really lean, wholesome protein.
- Bone-in rooster has extra taste and is juicier than boneless rooster as a result of the bone flavors the meat from the within and helps retain moisture (it’s why you may skip brining when making Baked Bone-In Chicken Breast, nevertheless it’s mandatory for juicy boneless Grilled Chicken Breast or Air Fryer Chicken Breast).
- It’s a discount! Per pound, darkish meat is cheaper than chicken, and bone-in rooster is cheaper than boneless.
5 Star Evaluate
“Adopted to a tee and it was completely scrumptious!!! Served some mashed candy potatoes on the facet!! Love your recipes!!”
— Kara —
Quaint baked rooster thighs are equally as make-ahead pleasant as they’re last-minute wholesome dinner materials. (Although for the quickest technique for getting ready rooster, attempt Pan Fried Chicken Breast.)
- I like to recommend 60 minutes of marinade time, however you may cut back it to half-hour when you want a shortcut.
- On the other facet of the timeline, you may fully prep them the evening earlier than and pop them into the oven when it’s time for supper.
As we speak, I’m supplying you with my greatest 5-star baked rooster thighs recipe with dried Italian herbs (be happy to swap for contemporary herbs you probably have them), garlic, and lemon.
That is one tasty (and wholesome) baked rooster thighs recipe you may serve with delight.
Tips on how to Make the BEST Baked Hen Thighs
I discover it greatest to bake rooster thigh recipes like this one at a excessive temperature—425 levels F.
Since rooster thighs are lean, they don’t profit from low, sluggish cooking the best way harder, extra marbled cuts like Slow Cooker Pulled Pork do.
A shorter prepare dinner time with excessive warmth is the transfer.
TIP!
If wanted, you may regulate the oven temperature right down to as little as 400 levels F to accommodate different dishes—say you might be cooking the rooster thighs within the oven similtaneously a pan of Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Butternut Squash. Merely prolong the cooking time by a couple of minutes (or go for 415 levels F—proper in between).
Or, you may make a sheet pan Rosemary Chicken Thighs, which embrace veggies on the identical pan.
The Elements
- Hen Thighs. Flavorful and succulent, rooster thighs are a implausible, wholesome ingredient (attempt them in Chicken Cacciatore). I used bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs, that are wholesome, reasonably priced, and almost unimaginable to mess up.
- Italian Marinade. A combination of olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning (which incorporates oregano, basil, marjoram, and extra), dried rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon. It imparts mild and brilliant Italian taste onto the rooster and helps make it additional juicy.
- Onion. My particular trick for this recipe is to thinly slice an onion and scatter it across the rooster thighs as they bake. As soon as roasted, the onions change into deliciously caramelized and candy.
- Vinegar. A small however impactful addition that makes the flavour of the onions pop. Both sherry vinegar or crimson wine vinegar will work right here.
- Contemporary Herbs. Contemporary parsley, tarragon, or thyme is the right crowning glory.
The Instructions
- Marinate rooster thighs for at the very least half-hour or refrigerate for as much as 12 hours.
- Place the onions in a dish and season them.
TIP!
A shallow 9×13 baking dish is greatest for baking rooster thighs so it can save you the entire yummy pan drippings for serving. A daily baking sheet works too.
- Nestle the rooster thighs into the onions pores and skin facet up.
- Bake the rooster thighs at 425 levels F for 25 to 35 minutes, tossing the onions partway by way of.
TIP!
Some baked rooster thigh recipes require overlaying with foil. This isn’t one in every of them. When baking rooster thighs with the pores and skin on, you’re making an attempt to realize crispy baked rooster thighs. Subsequently, leaving them uncovered ensures a crispy pores and skin that turns completely golden. YUM!
- Take away the rooster to a plate, cowl, and let relaxation. Proceed baking the onions.
- If desired, for additional crispy oven baked rooster thighs return the rooster to the pan and broil on the higher third rack for a number of minutes (don’t stroll away!) till crisp. ENJOY!
Tips on how to Inform Your Hen Thighs are Executed
Overcooking is the enemy of juicy, tender baked rooster thighs.
One of the best (and I’d say solely true) solution to inform in case your rooster is cooked correctly is to make use of an instant-read meat thermometer inserted on the thickest half.
Hen ought to be cooked to 165 levels F, however its temperature will rise after it’s faraway from the warmth. I take away my rooster 5 to 10 levels early (155 to 160 levels F) and let it relaxation.
- Resting permits the meat to come back to a secure temperature.
- Resting is important in order that the juices have time to reincorporate into the rooster.
Extra Methods to Season Baked Hen Thighs
Under you’ll discover my go-to Italian baked rooster thighs recipe variation, however this recipe is flexible. Be happy to differ the seasonings in line with your craving.
- BBQ Baked Hen Thighs. Season the thighs along with your favourite BBQ spice mix. Bake per the time and temperature steered within the recipe (with or with out the onions). Serve with Barbecue Sauce.
- Outdated Customary Hen Thighs. Maintain it easy with salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve with Easy Drop Biscuits and your favourite gravy.
- Southern Baked Hen Thighs. Season the rooster with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, seasoned salt, a bit cayenne, and dried rosemary.
- Curry Baked Hen Thighs. Season the thighs with curry powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. (This variation can be delicious with Turmeric Rice.)
Storage Ideas
- To Retailer. Place rooster thighs in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
- To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the microwave.
- To Freeze. Freeze rooster thighs in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Meal Prep Tip
As much as 12 hours prematurely, dry and marinate the rooster thighs as directed in Step 1. Refrigerate till you’re able to bake.
Leftover Concepts
De-bone and cube your rooster thighs, then toss them into your favourite pasta (this Pasta al Limone can be tasty) or reheat on the bone with Homemade Fried Rice for a tasty baked rooster thighs with rice dish. Leftovers additionally make a implausible addition to a salad.
What to Serve with Baked Hen Thighs
This versatile protein pairs effectively with nearly any facet dish!
Extra Facet Dish Concepts
Really useful Instruments to Make this Recipe
- Baking Dish. This baking dish is right for making baked rooster thighs.
- Measuring Spoons. These double-sided magnetic spoons are extremely straightforward to retailer.
- Citrus Juicer. My go-to device for juicing lemons and limes.
The Greatest Baking Dish
A high-quality baking dish is a must have in each kitchen. This Staub ceramic dish is dishwasher-safe and can be utilized within the microwave or oven.
I hope this recipe is simply the serving to hand (er, thigh) for a lot of of your weeknight chicken recipes to come back.
Ceaselessly Requested Questions
Not essentially. Hen meat, particularly darkish meat, can look pink even when it’s cooked by way of. Once more, the very best, most secure solution to know in case your rooster is cooked to temperature is to make use of an instant-read thermometer.
In case your rooster thighs are dry, it’s as a result of they’re overcooked. When you can’t return, you may cowl your mistake by serving baked rooster thighs in sauce. Attempt the honey Dijon mustard sauce from my Pecan Crusted Chicken.
In case you favor lean chicken rooster breasts over baked rooster thighs, right here is my recipe for the BEST Baked Chicken Breast. You should use the marinade from this recipe when you like.
Baked rooster thigh recipes get robust when both baked too lengthy or once they’re not correctly marinaded earlier than cooking. To keep away from robust rooster thighs, be certain that to tug them once they attain the precise inside temperature (see the field above for ideas) and ensure to marinate for at the very least half-hour (or longer). Marinading rooster helps break down the muscle fibers, so the rooster is tender as soon as baked.
Positive! See my Air Fryer Chicken Thighs for ideas (the onions you may roast individually or saute on the range when you like).
- 2 1/4 kilos bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs about 4
- 3 garlic cloves minced (about 1 tablespoon)
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1 lemon zest and juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
- 1/2 teaspoon floor black pepper divided
- 2 small or 1 additional massive onion
- 1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar or crimson wine vinegar
- Chopped contemporary parsley or tarragon or thyme, plus further for serving
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Pat the rooster dry and place in a big bowl or massive ziptop bag. Add the garlic, 2 tablespoons oil, Italian seasoning, rosemary, lemon zest and juice (zest the lemon proper over the bag or bowl), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss the rooster (or seal the bag and switch to coat). Let sit at room temperature for at the very least half-hour and as much as 1 hour or cowl and refrigerate for as much as 12 hours.
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When able to bake, preheat the oven to 425 levels F. Thinly slice the onions and place in a 9×13 or equally sized roasting pan or casserole dish.
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Drizzle the onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat.
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Take away the rooster from the marinade and shake off any extra. Clear some areas within the onions for the rooster, then nestle it in.
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Bake the rooster thighs for quarter-hour. Take away the pan and toss the onions to advertise even cooking (I take advantage of a fork to stir them round a bit). Return to the oven and bake for 10 to twenty further minutes (that’s 25 to 35 minutes whole), till the interior temperature of the rooster reaches 155 to 160 levels F (rooster is taken into account cooked at 165 levels F, however its temperature will proceed to rise because it rests). In case you’d prefer to brown the rooster pores and skin additional, on the finish of the cooking time, place the pan beneath the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes (watch carefully!).
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Take away the rooster to a serving plate. Cowl and let relaxation 10 minutes. Stir the onions within the pan, unfold them into a fair layer, then return them to the oven to roast additional whereas the rooster rests. The onions will change into jammy and some may look a bit crispy.
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Take away the onions from the oven, then stir the vinegar into them. If desired, return the rooster to the pan and place beneath the broiler for crispy pores and skin.
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Serve the rooster thighs heat, with onions spooned excessive. Sprinkle with contemporary herbs.
- TO STORE: Refrigerate rooster thighs in an hermetic storage container for as much as 3 days.
- TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the microwave.
- TO FREEZE: Freeze rooster thighs in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.
Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 605kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 36gFats: 47gSaturated Fats: 11gPolyunsaturated Fats: 9gMonounsaturated Fats: 23gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 213mgPotassium: 588mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 196IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 2mg
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Extra Wholesome Hen Recipes
Listed below are extra of my very favourite straightforward oven baked chicken recipes to attempt subsequent:
