Boneless skinless chicken thighs are all the rage these days. I think it’s because they cook as quickly as chicken breasts but are juicier and more full of flavor.
My favorite way to cook chicken thighs is in a frying pan. They get nice and brown and crispy that way. However, cooking on the stovetop is not hands-free at all. Therefore, on busy weeknights, my preference is to bake the chicken thighs. And if you realized they are still in the freezer, don’t worry. Find out how to thaw chicken quickly.
Scroll down to read more about how it all comes together or click here to jump straight down to the recipe.
Video: Baking Chicken Thighs
In this video, I show you how to bake the chicken thighs unrolled and get them wonderfully browned on the bottom. They can be baked rolled up or unrolled depending on your preferences.
How To Bake Chicken Thighs
Preheat the oven to 400°F. You want that slightly higher heat so the thighs brown a little bit.
Lightly grease a baking sheet. I usually use olive oil in a mister like this one.
Then just season the chicken thighs lightly with salt and anything else you’d like to use. I use black pepper and garlic powder usually. Sometimes a little bit of paprika or chili powder is a nice touch.
How Long To Bake Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs?
They actually don’t take very long. If you keep them rolled up the way they are in the packaging, they’ll take about 25 minutes.
If you unroll them before baking them so that they’re almost like filets, then they’ll be ready in 18-20 minutes. However you do it, be sure to use an instant read thermometer to make sure that their internal temperature is at least 165°F.
One thing that I really like to do, and you can see this in the Baking Chicken Thighs Video above, is to put a rack of my oven in the lowest position. Then I’ll actually preheat the even to as high as 450F. Unrolled, lightly oiled and seasoned, chicken thighs then go onto a pan, which goes onto that low rack. They take about 20 minutes to cook, and in that time the bottoms get nice and brown from being so close to the heat.
Should You Marinate Chicken?
Some people think that a marinade will make meat and poultry more tender. This isn’t true. And, in this case it’s irrelevant since chicken thighs are already very tender and don’t require any kind of tenderizing.
A marinade will add some nice flavor to your chicken thighs, though! Look for something that doesn’t have very much acid and does have some good flavor ingredients. My favorite chicken thigh marinade is over here. It has balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil for some nice rich flavor.
Should You Brine Chicken Thighs?
No. A brine uses salt dissolved in water to force extra liquid into the meat. Since chicken thighs are already very tender and juicy, a brine isn’t needed nor even advisable. You’d be taking a lot of time and adding sodium for no reason.
There you have it, my favorite hands-free way to cook boneless skinless chicken thighs. I hope you enjoy this and that you discover how tasty and versatile chicken thighs are.
More Baked Chicken Recipes
- Baked Chicken Breasts
- Crispy Baked Chicken Wings
- How to Bake Chicken Leg Quarters
- Shake and Bake Chicken
- Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs
Podcast Episode About Baked Chicken Thighs
Listen to me explain briefly about how to make this recipe, with some great tips along the way, by clicking the play button below:
Listen to more Recipe of the Day episodes here.
Print
Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Recipe
Boneless skinless chicken thighs are all the rage these days. I think it’s because they cook as quickly as chicken breasts but are juicier and more full of flavor.
See the video in the post above for the unrolled version which gets you wonderfully browned chicken.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Entrée
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- Olive oil
- 6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1/2 tsp. black pepper
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 green onion, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a baking sheet with olive oil.
- Arrange the chicken thighs in a single layer on the baking sheet. You can leave the thighs rolled up or unroll them.*
- Season with the salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Drizzle or spray (using a mister like this) the thighs with more olive oil.
- Bake until cooked through to 165°F as read on an instant read thermometer, 18-20 minutes for unrolled chicken thighs, and 22-25 minutes for rolled up chicken thighs.
- Garnish with green onions, if desired, before serving.
Love this recipe? I’d appreciate it if you could scroll down and add a *5 star rating* to help others know they’ll love it as well!
Notes
*Something I really like to do to get the baked thighs nicely browned on one side, and you can see this in the Baking Chicken Thighs Video above, is to put a rack of my oven in the lowest position. Then I’ll actually preheat the even to as high as 450F. Unrolled, lightly oiled and seasoned, chicken thighs then go onto a pan, which goes onto that low rack. They take about 20 minutes to cook, and in that time the bottoms get nice and brown from being so close to the heat elements, but the meat is still tender and juicy.
This post originally appeared in August 2020 and was revised and republished in August 2023.
I used a jerk chicken marinade for 30 minutes but then used your baking method they were delicious with rice.
I’m so glad you enjoyed, Mary!
I made this recipe last week. Instead of using a baking sheet I used my iron skillet. The chicken thighs came out beautifully and moist.
Catherine, That’s so great to hear! Thanks for coming back to let me know 🙂
I searched 2 hrs foe Chik thi recipe. Found this one. Thank you! I hate pan frying the chicken.
You’re welcome, Laura! Glad you found what you needed.
Excellent flavor. I added 1/2 tsp of Herbes de Provence.
Terry, that’s such a wonderful addition – one of my all-time favorite herb blends! So happy the recipe worked for you and thank you for coming back to let me know <3
Cover or uncover
Uncovered, just as is on the baking sheet. Good question!
I’m a single guy and looking for a quick and easy way to bake chicken, praise the Lord I found this recipe on my phone. Thank you, now I’m all set!!! I hope others will find this as helpful as I have!!! Thanks again, stuart
Stuart, you’re very welcome. Happy to help. And thank you for letting me know you liked it!
So simple yet so delish. Is one my family’s favorite !!!
Love to hear that, Anna! Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Awesome tastes great and quick ,thanks!!!! Stephanie, from Pensacola, Florida
You’re welcome, Stephanie!
Sounds delicious and explains some of what I already do. Thank you. Linda
You’re welcome, Linda! Hope you enjoy.
I use this method/recipe often! Thank you for making it simple!
You’re welcome, Meredith! Thanks for taking time to comment and rate.
I have never made a better boneless, skinless chicken thigh recipe. It was delicious!!
That’s wonderful to hear, Kozie! Thank you for letting me know.
Love this recipe so quick and easy and delicious!
Glad to hear it, Mary! Thanks for coming back to comment.
I did the unrolled version that you have in the video. They were the best chicken thighs I’ve ever cooked in the oven. A winner!
Barb, I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know 🙂
Simply great recipe! My go to boneless, skinless chicken thighs baked in a 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes. Delicious🥰
Thank you, Cheryl! Glad you love it.
Will be trying this tonight for dinner
Enjoy, Vincent!
Fast and easy. I used the thighs in a layer chicken salad
Delicious! Thanks for commenting, Deborah.