Description
This Oven Baked Chicken Thighs recipe features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs baked to crispy golden perfection with a flavorful honey mustard garlic sauce. Juicy and tender inside, these chicken thighs are easy to prepare and bake in under 40 minutes, making a delightful main dish for any weeknight meal.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 2 pounds chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Sauce
- 1 tablespoon whole grain Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 6 cloves garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 425℉ to ensure it’s hot enough for the chicken thighs to bake evenly and develop crispy skin.
- Season Chicken: Place the chicken thighs in a bowl and season them generously with salt and black pepper, coating each piece evenly.
- Prepare Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together the whole grain Dijon mustard, regular mustard, honey, minced garlic, red pepper flakes, and olive oil to create a flavorful sauce.
- Coat Chicken: Pour the prepared sauce over the seasoned chicken thighs and toss well to evenly coat every piece with the sauce.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Transfer the coated chicken thighs along with any remaining sauce into a 9×13 inch baking dish. There is no need to grease the dish as the chicken skin and sauce provide enough fat to prevent sticking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 35 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165℉ and the skin is crispy and golden.
- Rest Chicken: Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a serving plate. Cover loosely with aluminum foil and let rest for 10 minutes so the juices redistribute, ensuring the meat stays moist and tender.
Notes
- For extra crispiness, you can broil the chicken for an additional 2-3 minutes at the end of baking, watching closely to prevent burning.
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs are recommended for the best flavor and texture; boneless or skinless will cook faster but may be less juicy.
- You can adjust the red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- Serving suggestion: Pair with roasted vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
