This Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs recipe makes the most flavorful tender chicken with golden brown crispy skin and juicy meat. Made with bone-in chicken thighs marinated in fresh lemon juice and herbs then oven baked to perfection.
Lemon and Herb Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs
This simple recipe is made with bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, marinated in the most vibrant marinade made with fresh lemon juice, garlic cloves, fresh herbs and simple spices that you probably already have in your pantry. I make this delicious chicken recipe with bone-in dark meat but any part of the whole chicken can be used with great results. If you prefer making boneless chicken thighs and /or don’t care for crispy skin (which also protects the chicken from drying up easily) choose skinless thighs or skinless chicken breast. Cooking time may need to be adjusted a bit but, you can use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken .
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Thigh Recipe?
- Versatile: This simple chicken recipe can be made with bone-in or boneless skinless chicken thighs, chicken drumsticks or chicken breasts.
- Amazing Chicken Marinade: The vibrant and fresh lemon and herb chicken marinade is so flavorful, you’ll want to use it to season beef, lamb, veggies and even fish!
- Budget Friendly: Thigh meat, whether you choose bone-in or boneless thighs are economical and very often on sale at the grocery store.
Juicy Baked Chicken Thighs Ingredients and Substitutions
For the complete list of ingredients and quantities, check the printable recipe card below.
- Bone-In Skin-On Chicken Thighs: Skin-on and bone-in thighs are very forgiving as dark meat on the bone tends to stays juicy when baked We use 8 thighs which usually weights around 3 pounds. Sometimes thighs have a lot of fat, if so trim any excess fat.
- Olive Oil: Oil helps getting crisp skin.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: If you don’t have apple cider vinegar, use white or red wine vinegar.
- Lemon Juice: Nothing compares with the taste of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
- Shallots: You can substitute this ingredient with a small piece of onion (about an inch), or a small piece of leek. If you don’t have any of these ingredients skip it. The chicken marinade will still be delicious.
- Fresh Herbs: Although the combination of fresh basil and fresh cilantro is absolutely divine , if you don’t like cilantro, use fresh flat leaf parsley (Italian parsley). Other herbs such as tarragon can substitute the cilantro and and basil.
How to Make Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs?
This is just a quick walk through this oven-roasted chicken thighs recipe so you know in advanced the steps you need to take. For detailed instructions and cooking times, check the printable recipe card below.
- To Make the Lemon Herb Chicken Marinade: In a small food processor or blender process the chicken marinade ingredients until the mixture smooth.
- Prep and Season: Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels to remove any excess moisture and season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Marinate: In a resealable bag or in a bowl, place the chicken and pour over the lemon and herb marinate. Make sure the marinade coats the chicken fully. Marinate for 30 minutes or up to 8 hours.
- Prep: Preheat the oven.
- Bake: Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and place them skin side up on a rimmed baking sheet with or without a wire rack, or a baking dish. Bake until the skin is golden brown and the chicken is completely cooked through. For extra crispy skin, broil for about 2 minutes.
- Rest: Allow the chicken to rest, tented with aluminum foil for 10 minutes before serving.
Do you Bake Chicken Thighs Covered or Uncovered?
For perfectly juicy chicken thighs with golden brown crispy skin, bake the chicken uncovered.
How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs in the Oven?
Bone-in chicken thighs need to bake at high heat for about 35 to 45 minutes. The best way to tell if the chicken is cooked through is to check the internal temperature with a meat thermometer. As per safety guidelines the chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°F when checked on the thickest and meatiest part of the thigh, without touching the bone.
You can remove the chicken from the oven when it reaches 155ºF and allow it to rest for about 10 minutes. During this time the internal temperature will rise due to carryover cooking and reach 165ºF.
Can I Use Boneless or Skinless Thighs Instead?
Yes, you can. Keep in mind that boneless chicken takes less time to cook and skinless chicken won’t be able to crisp up.
Can I Use Other Chicken Parts For This Recipe?
Absolutely! If you prefer make this baked chicken recipe with chicken drumsticks, bone-in chicken breasts or chicken quarters! If you prefer, boneless chicken can also be used. Just adjust the baking time.
What to Serve with Lemon Herb Chicken Thighs?
So many different side dishes can be served with these crispy roasted thighs, here are some ideas:
- Creamy Cilantro Lime Coleslaw Recipe
- Mexican Street Corn Pasta Salad
- Mexican Three Bean Salad Recipe
- Roasted Fingerling Potatoes Recipe
- Oven Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Making Ahead, Storage and Reheating
- Making Ahead: You can marinate the chicken for 8 hours. The chicken can be marinated and fully cooked a day in advanced.
- Storage: Leftover baked chicken will keep, stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Reheating: Although you can enjoy lemon and herb roasted chicken thighs cold or at room temperature, it can be reheated in the microwave or in a preheated 300ºF oven, for about 10-12minutes. You can also use an air fryer for about 5-7 minutes at 375ºF
Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs Tips for Success
- Remove any excess fat from the chicken before marinating.
- Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs.
- If you use boneless and skinless chicken breast, bake the chicken for about 18 to 25 minutes, depending on the size of each breast. Chicken breast are more likely to dry up in the oven. Check this baked chicken breast recipe for additional information.
- You can cook the chicken on a grill, simply follow the instructions from this grilled chicken recipe.
- Always use a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is done and fully cooked. The chicken is done when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken reaches 160º – 165º Fahrenheit.
- Due to carryover cooking, you can remove the chicken from the grill when the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 160º F, the temperature will rise to 165ºF while the chicken rests.
Take a Look at These other Easy Chicken Recipes:
- Honey Soy Baked Chicken Drumsticks
- Cuban Mojo Chicken
- Greek Lemon Oven Roasted Chicken Thighs
- Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Cutlets
- Crispy Slow Cooker Chicken Wings (Honey BBQ)
- Crispy Baked Chicken Leg Quarters
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Lemon Herb Roasted Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
For The Marinade
- 1 shallot roughly chopped
- 4 garlic cloves roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh basil roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
For the Chicken
- 8 bone in, skin on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper to taste to lightly season the chicken
Instructions
- To prepare the marinade, in a food processor or blender combine the shallots, garlic cloves, basil, cilantro, olive oil, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, cumin and cayenne pepper. Puree until smooth.
- Pat dry the chicken thighs with paper towels to remove any excess moisture and season the chicken with salt and black pepper.
- Place the chicken in a large resealable bag or non-reactive container and pour the marinade over the chicken. Mix to combine making sure the chicken is coated evenly. Marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes or refrigerated up to 8 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Remove the chicken thighs from the marinade and place them skin side up on a rimmed baking sheet with or without a wire rack, or in a a baking dish.
- Place in the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. To crisp up the skin, broil the chicken for about 2 minutes making sure the chicken is about 6 inches from the heating source.
- Remove chicken from the oven and allow it to rest, tented with aluminum foil for about 10 minutes. Serve.
Video
Chef’s Tips
- Always use a meat thermometer to make sure your chicken is done and fully cooked. The chicken is done when the internal temperature in the thickest part of the chicken reaches 160º – 165º Fahrenheit.
- Due to carryover cooking, you can remove the chicken from the grill when the chicken’s internal temperature reaches 160º F, the temperature will rise to 165ºF while the chicken rests.
- For extra crispy skin, you can broil the chicken for about 2-3 minutes.
- Leftover baked chicken will keep, stored in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Julia says
I made this last night for a birthday meal and ur turned out great. Thanks for the recipe. Julia
Kathy says
So happy to hear!Best birthday wishes!!
Averil says
I made your Mexican 3 Bean salad last night and it was truly sensational . A million thanks x
Jossy says
I made the Roasted Chicken Tighs for my husband’s birthday and we loved it. I served it with mashed potatoes as you mentioned you like it and with roasted carrots. It was a winner at home, really delicious. I wanted to tell you that my family asked me to made this again and again since then. It looks like they really liked it!
Kathy says
So happy to hear! Happy belated birthday to your husband!
Hashmanis says
This chicken was great! I mixed all of the spices, olive oil and lemmon juice and rubbed it under the skin of the chicken and then over the top of the skin and poured the remainder in the cavity. I put about 3/4 cup water in the bottom of the pan and baked the chicken upsidedown with the breasts in the juices. I covered the whole thing in foil and in 2 hours the flavorful meat was falling off the bones. My company raved and everyone ate way too much. Served with baked apples, green beans and fresh bread. Delicious! Hashmanis
Kathy says
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for sharing!
Kristin says
How long would you cook if using quicken quarters instead of thighs?
Excited to try this tomorrow!
Kathy says
Hi! it all depends on the size. It may take 5 to 10 minutes longer but that is a guess. As per safety guidelines, bone in chicken quarters should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Use an Instant-Read Thermometer to check the temperature. That is always the safe way to know!!
Ellen says
Made this last night. It was awesome. Will definitely be in our meal rotation. I have a daughter with Celiac Disease and we try to mix things up as much as we can. This recipe hit the spot!
Kathy says
I am so glad to hear you liked it! It is one of our favorites! Thank you for sharing!!
Kathy says
Hi Christina, No I do not cover it!
Jillian says
I made this recipe and it was so flavorful. I followed exactly as written and had great results. I will make this with chicken quarters next time.
Michele says
This looks amazing! I just put everything on my grocery list to be able to make it tomorrow! If it tastes even half as good as it looks in those photos Im going to be one happy happy girl!
Kathy says
Thank you! You will love it. I promise!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
Oh I love chicken thighs! I’m a 100% dark meat girl…so much more flavor. These sound wonderful, and I’m pinning to make these soon
Kathy says
Thank you Karyl! I love dark meat too!
Peter says
We made this recipe and it was absolutely fabulous! So tasty! Loved the crispy skin.
Amy says
This chicken looks so good! I must try it!
Kathy says
Thank you!!