Description
Crispy oven-fried chicken thighs offer a healthier alternative to deep-fried chicken, delivering a golden, crunchy exterior and a tender, juicy interior. This recipe is simple to make with common pantry ingredients, perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce (optional)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
- Cooking spray or olive oil for drizzling
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine buttermilk and hot sauce. Add chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes for marinating.
- Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top.
- In a shallow dish, mix all-purpose flour with garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- Remove chicken thighs from marinade, letting excess drip off. Dredge each thigh in the flour mixture, pressing gently to coat.
- Arrange coated chicken thighs on the wire rack, skin side up, for even cooking.
- Lightly spray or drizzle chicken with cooking spray or olive oil for extra crispiness.
- Bake for 40-45 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C) and skin is golden brown.
- Let chicken rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
Notes
- For best results, use fresh, high-quality chicken thighs.
- Pat chicken dry before marinating to help skin crisp up.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference; add fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme for added flavor.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F (75°C).
- Serve immediately after resting for optimal texture and flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- Freezing cooked chicken thighs is possible for up to 3 months; wrap tightly before freezing.
- Reheat leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Oven-Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1-2 thighs
- Calories: 360 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: N/A