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Oven-Fried Chicken Thighs Recipe

4.5 from 63 reviews

Crispy and flavorful oven-fried chicken thighs coated in seasoned breadcrumbs, baked to golden perfection for a healthier twist on traditional fried chicken.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Coating

  • 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Optional: 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper for heat

Additional

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or melted butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it is hot enough to crisp the chicken coating during baking.
  2. Prepare coating: In a shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs with the garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, salt, onion powder, dried thyme, and optional cayenne pepper for a flavorful seasoning mix.
  3. Coat chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Brush each thigh lightly with olive oil or melted butter to help the coating stick and aid crisping. Dredge each thigh thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the surface to adhere well.
  4. Arrange on baking sheet: Place the coated chicken thighs on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a lightly greased wire rack over a baking tray. This setup helps air circulation and keeps the coating crisp.
  5. Bake chicken: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, the coating is crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  6. Rest and serve: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and coating to set crisp.

Notes

  • You can use panko breadcrumbs for an extra crunchy texture.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute regular breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs.
  • Brushing with oil or butter is essential to achieve a crispy crust in the oven.
  • Using a wire rack to bake allows heat to circulate and prevents sogginess.
  • Chicken thighs can be marinated in buttermilk before coating for added moisture and tenderness, though this step is optional.

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