Description
This easy and delicious 30-minute oven-baked boneless skinless chicken thighs recipe is perfect for a flavorful weeknight dinner. Coated with a smoky, spicy brown sugar and paprika rub, these juicy chicken thighs bake to perfection in the oven, delivering tender and succulent meat with minimal effort. Serve alongside a simple Italian salad and mashed potatoes for a complete meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 6-8 boneless skinless chicken thighs, fat removed
Spice Rub
- 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
- ¼ cup avocado oil or butter
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the chicken thighs evenly and developing a nice crust.
- Prepare the spice rub: 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. This blend will give your chicken a smoky, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor profile.
- Coat the chicken: Add the boneless skinless chicken thighs to the bowl with the spice mixture, tossing and coating both sides thoroughly to evenly cover the meat with the flavorful rub.
- Arrange in skillet or baking sheet: Place the seasoned chicken thighs in a cast iron skillet or on a foil-lined baking sheet. Pour ¼ cup of avocado oil or melted butter evenly over the chicken to help it stay juicy and enhance browning during baking.
- Bake the chicken: Put the skillet or baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-30 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs once halfway through to ensure even cooking. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness; the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve: Once fully cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let rest briefly. Serve with your choice of sides like a simple Italian salad and creamy mashed potatoes for a well-rounded meal.
Notes
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- If republishing this recipe, kindly rewrite it in your own words or provide a link back to this post.
- For best results, use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked safely through without drying out.
- Avocado oil can be substituted with butter as per preference for flavor and fat type.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
