Description
This easy 30-minute recipe features oven-baked boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with a flavorful blend of smoked paprika, brown sugar, and herbs. The chicken is perfectly cooked to juicy tenderness in a hot oven, making it an ideal weeknight dinner served alongside simple sides like Italian salad and mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Spice Mix
- 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat removed
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
Fat for Cooking
- ¼ cup avocado oil or butter
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the appropriate temperature for cooking the chicken evenly and getting a nice sear.
- Mix Spices: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme, Kosher salt, and ground black pepper to create a well-blended spice mixture.
- Coat Chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the bowl with the spice mixture and toss thoroughly to coat both sides of each piece evenly with the spices.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the spiced chicken thighs onto a cast iron skillet or a baking sheet lined with foil paper for easy cleanup. Pour ¼ cup of avocado oil or melted butter over the chicken to help with browning and moisture retention during baking.
- Bake Chicken: Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 20-30 minutes, flipping the thighs once halfway through the cook time to ensure even cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Once cooked, serve the juicy oven-baked chicken thighs with your choice of sides, such as a simple Italian salad and creamy mashed potatoes, for a complete and satisfying meal.
Notes
- All content and images are copyright protected. Please do not use the images without prior permission.
- If republishing this recipe, please rewrite it in your own words or provide a link back to the original post.
- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked without drying out.
- Feel free to substitute avocado oil with butter or your preferred cooking fat.
- This recipe is easily doubled or adjusted to feed larger groups.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh (about 4 oz)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 27g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
