Oven-Baked Garlic & Herb Chicken Thighs

🍗 Oven-Baked Garlic & Herb Chicken Thighs

Juicy on the inside, golden and flavorful on the outside—this is a simple, reliable oven favorite.

🛒 Ingredients

• 6–8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp olive oil or melted butter
• 5 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp dried rosemary (or Italian seasoning)
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp dried oregano
• Optional: juice of ½ lemon or lemon slices

🔪 Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels (this helps crisp the skin).
3. In a bowl, mix olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, paprika, thyme, rosemary, onion powder, and oregano.
4. Rub the mixture all over the chicken thighs, including under the skin if possible.
5. Arrange thighs skin-side up in a baking dish or on a lined tray. Add lemon slices if using.
6. Bake uncovered for 40–45 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy and internal temperature reaches 75°C (165°F).
7. Optional: Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for extra crispiness.
8. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

🌿 Serving Ideas

• Roasted potatoes or vegetables
• Rice, couscous, or garlic mashed potatoes
• Fresh green salad with lemon dressing

💡 Tips

• For extra crisp skin: place chicken on a rack over the tray.
• Want more flavor? Marinate for 2–12 hours in the fridge.
• You can swap thighs for drumsticks using the same method.

If you’d like, I can give you a creamy garlic version, Mediterranean-style, or spicy paprika twist 😋