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    Home » Chicken and Poultry Recipes » Spicy Chicken Thighs

    Spicy Chicken Thighs

    Last updated: Aug 11, 2021 · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Accessibility

    Jump to Recipe Card

    This is my go-to recipe for boneless skinless chicken thighs! It's so easy, making it perfect for weeknight dinners.

    Simply apply a simple rub of olive oil and spices to the chicken pieces, then bake them for 30 minutes in the oven. It's as easy as can be and so delicious.

    Boneless skinless chicken thighs served in a white baking dish.

    Chicken is easy and affordable, but it can get boring, especially when you make it often, as I do. That's why I'm always trying to come up with new ways to make it more interesting for my family and for myself.

    This boneless chicken thighs recipe is amazing. It's so full of flavor! I make it often because it has this winning combination of a truly easy recipe that's also delicious. Even the leftovers are good, although I prefer to enjoy them cold rather than risk drying the chicken out when reheating it.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Recommended side dishes
    • Storing leftovers
    • Related recipes
    • Recipe card

    Ingredients

    You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this recipe. The exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's an overview of what you'll need:

    Fresh chicken: I use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. It's one of my favorite chicken parts because it's cheap, readily available, easy to cook and to eat, and so wonderfully juicy!

    Olive oil: I love cooking with this delicious oil. But if you'd rather use an oil with a higher smoke point, you can use avocado oil instead. Just keep in mind it won't be as flavorful as olive oil.

    Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use, or the dish could end up too salty.

    Spices: I use quite a few of them, and I do recommend using all of them. They add such wonderful flavor! I use garlic and onion powders, smoked paprika, cumin, and cayenne pepper. Do make sure the spices are fresh! A stale spice can easily ruin a dish.

    Instructions

    This recipe is my favorite way of cooking boneless chicken thighs. it's just so very easy, but you don't sacrifice any flavor. Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed instructions. Here are the basic steps:

    Season the chicken. Your first step is to place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and coat them in a tasty mixture of olive oil and spices.

    Arrange in a baking dish. Now, arrange the chicken in a rimmed baking dish. A 9 X 13-inch pan works well.

    Bake. The last step is to bake the chicken in a 400F oven until cooked through. Depending on how hot your oven is, this should take about 30 minutes. 

    As you can see, this is a truly easy recipe, making it ideal for weeknight dinners.

    A photo collage showing the steps for baking boneless chicken thighs.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I use chicken breasts in this recipe?

    I don't recommend it. Chicken breasts are drier than thighs. They're also typically larger and thicker. They require a different cooking temperature and a different cooking time.

    Here's a good recipe that was written specifically for baked chicken breast.

    How do you cook boneless chicken without drying it out?

    It's best to choose chicken thighs - they're very juicy and they won't dry out easily.

    I also recommend leaving the visible fat on and not trying to trim it. Lastly, coat the chicken with oil or butter and be generous about it.

    What if the tray I bought has different sizes?

    If you buy them in pre-packaged trays at the supermarket, boneless skinless chicken thighs do tend to come in various sizes.

    It's OK to bake them all together until the biggest ones are cooked through. The small ones will still be juicy and delicious!

    Recommended side dishes

    Anything goes with this dish, really. It's very versatile. But since I bake the chicken in a 400°F oven, I like to serve it with a side dish that I can cook in the same oven. So I often serve it with any of the following sides:

    • Baked shiitake mushrooms
    • Zucchini casserole
    • Broccoli tots

    Storing leftovers

    Leftovers keep well in the fridge, in an airtight container, for 3-4 days. I usually shred them and add them, cold, to a salad (such as this arugula salad) for my lunch.

    If you'd like to reheat them, it's best to do so very gently, in the microwave (covered) on 50% power. If you reheat the leftovers too aggressively, especially in the microwave, the chicken will dry out.

    Baked boneless skinless chicken thighs in a baking dish

    Related recipes

    • Keto Parmesan Chicken Tenders
    • Pan-Seared Duck Breast
    • Almond Flour Chicken Tenders
    • Cobb Salad

    👩🏻‍🍳 I typically publish a new or an updated recipe once a week. Want these recipes in your inbox? Subscribe! You can unsubscribe at any time.

    Recipe card

    Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
    4.98 from 2364 votes
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    Spicy Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

    In this easy recipe, a spicy rub and 30 minutes in the oven produce reliably juicy, succulent chicken thighs.
    Prep Time10 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time40 mins
    Course: Main Course
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 254kcal
    Author: Vered DeLeeuw

    INGREDIENTS

    • 2 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt
    • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
    • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1 teaspoon onion powder
    • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
    • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
    • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

    INSTRUCTIONS

    • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.
    • Place the chicken thighs in a large bowl. Add the olive oil and spices and use your hands to coat the chicken pieces.
    • Arrange the seasoned thighs in a single layer on a rimmed baking dish, such as a 9 X 13 baking dish. If there's some residual oil and spice mixture in the bowl, brush it on top of the chicken pieces, as shown in the video below.
    • Bake until cooked through, juices run clear, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the middle of the largest thigh reads 165ºF. In my oven, this takes about 30 minutes.

    WATCH THE VIDEO:

    NOTES

    If you buy them in pre-packaged trays at the supermarket, boneless skinless chicken thighs tend to come in various sizes. It's OK to bake them all together until the biggest ones are cooked through. The small ones will still be juicy and delicious!

    ADD YOUR OWN NOTES

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    DISCLAIMERSMost of our recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate and the carb count excludes sugar alcohols. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read our Terms of Use carefully before using any of our recipes.

    NUTRITION PER SERVING

    Serving: 4oz | Calories: 254kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Sodium: 602mg
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    About the Author

    Vered Deleeuw Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

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    Healthy Recipes Blog was founded in 2011 by Vered Deleeuw. It features real-food recipes with a focus on low-carb and gluten-free ingredients. All recipes are nutritionally reviewed by a Registered Dietitian. Contact us at HealthyRecipesBlog@gmail.com.


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