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Crispy Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe

4.9 from 121 reviews

This Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs recipe delivers the crispy, flavorful texture of traditional fried chicken with the healthier benefits of baking. Using a seasoned breadcrumb coating, chicken thighs are baked to golden perfection, making for a delicious and easy meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Coating

  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional for heat)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter (for drizzle)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to prepare for baking the chicken and achieving a crispy crust.
  2. Prepare Coating: In a shallow bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper if using.
  3. Coat Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Lightly drizzle or brush the chicken thighs with olive oil or melted butter, then dredge them thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to adhere the coating evenly.
  4. Arrange for Baking: Place the coated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased wire rack set over a baking sheet to allow air circulation and crisping on all sides.
  5. Bake Until Crispy: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).

Notes

  • Pat chicken dry to help the coating adhere better and become crisper.
  • Use a wire rack on the baking sheet if possible to ensure even crisping.
  • Customize spices in the breadcrumb mixture to your taste preferences.
  • For extra crispiness, double coat by dipping back into olive oil and breadcrumbs before baking.
  • Let the chicken rest 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.

Keywords: oven fried chicken thighs, crispy baked chicken, breadcrumb chicken, easy chicken recipe, healthy fried chicken