Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe
This Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs recipe offers a healthier twist on traditional fried chicken by baking crispy, seasoned chicken thighs coated in crunchy panko breadcrumbs. Perfectly golden and juicy, these chicken thighs make a delicious and easy weeknight dinner.
- Author: Windy
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Total Time: 45-50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Chicken
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
Coating & Seasoning
- 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to create a crispy crust on the chicken.
- Prepare Baking Dish: Spray a large baking dish with nonstick spray or brush it lightly with olive oil to prevent sticking and help with browning.
- Season Chicken: In a bowl, combine olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and dried thyme. Rub this flavorful mixture evenly over each chicken thigh to infuse the meat with spices.
- Coat with Panko: Coat each seasoned chicken thigh thoroughly with panko breadcrumbs until fully covered, which will provide a crispy exterior once baked.
- Arrange Chicken: Place the breaded thighs skin-side up in the prepared baking dish, making sure to space them apart for even cooking and crispiness.
- Bake: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the exterior is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
Notes
- For extra crispy skin, broil the chicken for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking while watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Panko breadcrumbs can be substituted with gluten-free breadcrumbs to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Use a meat thermometer to accurately check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Leftover chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Keywords: oven-fried chicken, crispy chicken thighs, panko chicken, baked chicken, easy chicken recipe