If you enjoy this recipe, I hope you’ll leave a comment with some STARS. Also, please share it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us at #ChiliPepperMadness. I’ll be sure to share! Thanks! – Mike H. Chicken thighs are delicious and a dark meat alternative to the more traditional chicken breast meal you might be used to. Because they are dark meat, they have a higher fat content, so you’re upping your calorie intake and saturated fat a bit. However! Because of that fat content, they are much more forgiving in the pan and in the oven if you accidentally leave them in a bit too long. Chicken breast can become dry if you don’t watch them carefully. Not so with chicken thighs, especially oven baked chicken thighs. Chicken thighs love you, and you will love them back. And! Did I mention chicken thighs are affordable? I almost want to say cheap! Seriously, for right around a buck a pound, you’ll get yourself a huge meal for an extremely reasonable price. You’ll pay even LESS by the pound if you purchase the whole chicken, but today we just want those outstanding chicken thighs. OK, maybe the chicken wings for some chicken wing recipes, but that is for next time! Let’s talk about how we make these oven baked chicken thighs, shall we? Dry and Season the Chicken Thighs. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and rub them down with the spice rub. Be sure to get under the skins and on the skins as well. Let them sit for about 20 minutes or so at room temperature. Drying out the skin will help to achieve a crispy skin. Preheat the Oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F to prep for baking. Sear the Chicken Thighs. Heat a cast iron skillet to medium heat and add a couple tablespoons olive oil. Sear the chicken thighs 5 minutes each side, skin side down first for a crispy skin. Remove to a plate to hold them. Prep for Baking. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Remove from heat. Add chicken thighs back to the pan along with the baby potatoes and them them into the oven. You can also transfer them to a baking dish, if you prefer. For example, if you don’t have an oven-safe pan. Bake the Chicken Thighs. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and the skins are golden brown. It should measure an internal temperature of 165 degrees F when measured with a meat thermometer. Cooking times can vary, depending on the size of your chicken thighs, so be sure to check the internal temperature to be sure. It could take 35-40 minutes with larger chicken thighs, though it’s usually not that long to bake chicken. Top with parsley and spicy red chili flakes and serve. BOOM! Easy enough, isn’t it? Such an easy oven baked chicken thighs recipe. Chicken dinner anytime! I love this dish. Nice and lightly spicy. Definitely family loved.
Storage & Leftovers
Storing your Cajun Baked Chicken Thighs in an airtight container in the fridge may allow you to store the leftovers for up to 3-4 days. To maximize the storage life, make sure to refrigerate them promptly. NOTE: This recipe was updated on 6/4/21 to include new information, photos and video. It was originally published on 9/25/15.
