Wishing tonight’s dinner was straightforward, cheap, and fairly tough to mess up? Bonus factors if it’s wholesome? Time to make Baked Rooster Thighs!

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Whereas boneless skinless rooster breast would possibly occupy the default setting in your grocery buying strategy (individuals not often complain about juicy Grilled Rooster Breast), it’s nicely price choosing up a pack of bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs from time to time as an alternative.

Why I Love Rooster Thighs

• Darkish rooster thigh meat is juicier and much much less liable to drying out than white breast meat.
• Whereas many suppose chicken is more healthy, that is hardly the case. Rooster thighs are full of vitamin. In comparison with chicken, darkish meat has extra iron, zinc, vitamin B-12, thiamine, and different vitamins too. Convey on the rooster thigh recipes!
• Sure, darkish meat has extra fats than white, however it’s nonetheless a really lean, wholesome protein.
• Bone-in rooster has extra taste and is juicier than boneless rooster as a result of the bone flavors the meat from the within and helps retain moisture (it’s why you’ll be able to skip brining when making Baked Bone-In Rooster Breast, however it’s crucial for juicy boneless Grilled Rooster Breast or Air Fryer Rooster Breast).
• It’s a discount! Per pound, darkish meat is inexpensive than chicken, and bone-in rooster is inexpensive than boneless.

5 Star Overview

“Adopted to a tee and it was completely scrumptious!!! Served some mashed candy potatoes on the facet!! Love your recipes!!”

— Kara —

Quaint baked rooster thighs are equally as make-ahead pleasant as they’re last-minute wholesome dinner materials. (Although for the quickest technique for getting ready rooster, strive Pan Fried Rooster Breast.)

• I like to recommend 60 minutes of marinade time, however you’ll be able to cut back it to half-hour for those who want a shortcut.
• On the other facet of the timeline, you’ll be able to fully prep them the evening earlier than and pop them into the oven when it’s meal time.

At this time, I’m supplying you with my finest 5-star baked rooster thighs recipe with dried Italian herbs (be at liberty to swap for contemporary herbs in case you have them), garlic, and lemon.

That is one tasty (and wholesome) baked rooster thighs recipe you’ll be able to serve with delight.

Tips on how to Make the BEST Baked Rooster Thighs

I discover it finest to bake rooster thigh recipes like this one at a excessive temperature—425 levels F.

Since rooster thighs are lean, they don’t profit from low, gradual cooking the best way harder, extra marbled cuts like Gradual Cooker Pulled Pork do.

A shorter prepare dinner time with excessive warmth is the transfer.

TIP!

If wanted, you’ll be able to modify the oven temperature right down to as little as 400 levels F to accommodate different dishes—say you’re cooking the rooster thighs within the oven concurrently a pan of Roasted Brussels Sprouts or Roasted Butternut Squash. Merely lengthen the cooking time by a couple of minutes (or go for 415 levels F—proper in between).

Or, you can also make a sheet pan Rosemary Rooster Thighs, which embrace veggies on the identical pan.

The Substances

• Rooster Thighs. Flavorful and succulent, rooster thighs are a unbelievable, wholesome ingredient (strive them in Rooster Cacciatore). I used bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs, that are wholesome, reasonably priced, and practically not possible to mess up.

Substitution Tip

This recipe additionally works nicely for oven baked boneless rooster thighs.

Word that baked boneless skinless thighs will prepare dinner sooner than bone-in rooster thighs (boneless, skinless rooster thighs take about 20 minutes to prepare dinner at 425 levels F), so that you’ll wish to test them very early and sometimes.

If utilizing boneless thighs, you should definitely marinade them for the reason that meat doesn’t have the pores and skin or bone to assist insulate and taste it.

• Italian Marinade. A combination of olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning (which comprises oregano, basil, marjoram, and extra), dried rosemary, salt, pepper, and lemon. It imparts mild and vivid Italian taste onto the rooster and helps make it additional juicy.

• Onion. My particular trick for this recipe is to thinly slice an onion and scatter it across the rooster thighs as they bake. As soon as roasted, the onions turn into deliciously caramelized and candy.
• Vinegar. A small however impactful addition that makes the flavour of the onions pop. Both sherry vinegar or pink wine vinegar will work right here.
• Contemporary Herbs. Contemporary parsley, tarragon, or thyme is the right final touch.

Substitution Tip!

Don’t be afraid to experiment. You’ll be able to bake rooster thighs with nearly any herbs and seasonings. Hold scrolling for my favourite recipe variations under!

The Instructions

1. Marinate rooster thighs for at the very least half-hour or refrigerate for as much as 12 hours.

2. Place the onions in a dish and season them.

TIP!

A shallow 9×13 baking dish is finest for baking rooster thighs so it can save you all the yummy pan drippings for serving. An everyday baking sheet works too.

3. Nestle the rooster thighs into the onions pores and skin facet up.

4. Bake the rooster thighs at 425 levels F for 25 to 35 minutes, tossing the onions partway by way of.

TIP!

Some baked rooster thigh recipes require protecting with foil. This isn’t one in every of them. When baking rooster thighs with the pores and skin on, you’re making an attempt to attain crispy baked rooster thighs. Subsequently, leaving them uncovered ensures a crispy pores and skin that turns completely golden. YUM!

5. Take away the rooster to a plate, cowl, and let relaxation. Proceed baking the onions.
6. If desired, for additional crispy oven baked rooster thighs return the rooster to the pan and broil on the higher third rack for a number of minutes (don’t stroll away!) till crisp. ENJOY!

Tips on how to Inform Your Rooster Thighs are Carried out

Overcooking is the enemy of juicy, tender baked rooster thighs.

The very best (and I’d say solely true) strategy to inform in case your rooster is cooked correctly is to make use of an instant-read meat thermometer inserted on the thickest half.

Rooster must be cooked to 165 levels F, however its temperature will rise after it’s faraway from the warmth. I take away my rooster 5 to 10 levels early (155 to 160 levels F) and let it relaxation.

• Resting permits the meat to return to a protected temperature.
• Resting is critical in order that the juices have time to reincorporate into the rooster.

Extra Methods to Season Baked Rooster Thighs

Beneath you’ll discover my go-to Italian baked rooster thighs recipe variation, however this recipe is flexible. Be happy to differ the seasonings in response to your craving.

• BBQ Baked Rooster Thighs. Season the thighs along with your favourite BBQ spice mix. Bake per the time and temperature advised within the recipe (with or with out the onions). Serve with Barbecue Sauce.
• Previous Long-established Rooster Thighs. Hold it easy with salt, pepper, and paprika. Serve with Straightforward Drop Biscuits and your favourite gravy.
• Southern Baked Rooster Thighs. Season the rooster with a mix of garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, seasoned salt, somewhat cayenne, and dried rosemary.
• Curry Baked Rooster Thighs. Season the thighs with curry powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper, and salt. (This variation can be delicious with Turmeric Rice.)

Storage Suggestions

• To Retailer. Place rooster thighs in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 3 days.
• To Reheat. Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the microwave.
• To Freeze. Freeze rooster thighs in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Meal Prep Tip

As much as 12 hours prematurely, dry and marinate the rooster thighs as directed in Step 1. Refrigerate till you’re able to bake.

Leftover Concepts

De-bone and cube your rooster thighs, then toss them into your favourite pasta (this Pasta al Limone can be tasty) or reheat on the bone with Do-it-yourself Fried Rice for a tasty baked rooster thighs with rice dish. Leftovers additionally make a unbelievable addition to a salad.

What to Serve with Baked Rooster Thighs

This versatile protein pairs nicely with nearly any facet dish!

Extra Facet Dish Concepts

Facet Dishes

Roasted Asparagus

20 minutes

Facet Dishes

Oven Roasted Potatoes

1 hr 10 minutes

Salads

Arugula Salad

10 minutes

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Beneficial Instruments to Make this Recipe

• Baking Dish. This baking dish is good for making baked rooster thighs.
• Measuring Spoons. These double-sided magnetic spoons are extremely straightforward to retailer.
• Citrus Juicer. My go-to software for juicing lemons and limes.

The Greatest Baking Dish

A high-quality baking dish is a must have in each kitchen. This Staub ceramic dish is dishwasher-safe and can be utilized within the microwave or oven.

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I hope this recipe is simply the serving to hand (er, thigh) for a lot of of your weeknight rooster recipes to return.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

If My Rooster Is Pink, Does That Imply It’s Not Carried out?

Not essentially. Rooster meat, particularly darkish meat, can look pink even when it’s cooked by way of. Once more, the very best, most secure strategy to know in case your rooster is cooked to temperature is to make use of an instant-read thermometer.

HELP! My Rooster is Dry.

In case your rooster thighs are dry, it’s as a result of they’re overcooked. When you can’t return, you’ll be able to cowl your mistake by serving baked rooster thighs in sauce. Strive the honey Dijon mustard sauce from my Pecan Crusted Rooster.

How Would I Adapt This Baked Rooster Thigh Recipe for Rooster Breasts?

For those who want lean chicken rooster breasts over baked rooster thighs, right here is my recipe for the BEST Baked Rooster Breast. You need to use the marinade from this recipe for those who like.

Why Does Baked Rooster Get Robust?

Baked rooster thigh recipes get powerful when both baked too lengthy or after they’re not correctly marinaded earlier than cooking. To keep away from powerful rooster thighs, be certain that to drag them after they attain the fitting inner temperature (see the field above for ideas) and ensure to marinate for at the very least half-hour (or longer). Marinading rooster helps break down the muscle fibers, so the rooster is tender as soon as baked.

Can I Make This Recipe within the Air Fryer?

Certain! See my Air Fryer Rooster Thighs for ideas (the onions you’ll be able to roast individually or saute on the range for those who like).

• 2 1/4 kilos bone-in, skin-on rooster thighs about 4
• 3 garlic cloves minced (about 1 tablespoon)
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 lemon zest and juice
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt divided
• 1/2 teaspoon floor black pepper divided
• 2 small or 1 additional giant onion
• 1/2 tablespoon sherry vinegar or pink wine vinegar
• Chopped contemporary parsley or tarragon or thyme, plus extra for serving

• Pat the rooster dry and place in a big bowl or giant ziptop bag. Add the garlic, 2 tablespoons oil, Italian seasoning, rosemary, lemon zest and juice (zest the lemon proper over the bag or bowl), 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss the rooster (or seal the bag and switch to coat). Let sit at room temperature for at the very least half-hour and as much as 1 hour or cowl and refrigerate for as much as 12 hours.

• When able to bake, preheat the oven to 425 levels F. Thinly slice the onions and place in a 9×13 or equally sized roasting pan or casserole dish.

• Drizzle the onions with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Toss to coat.

• Take away the rooster from the marinade and shake off any extra. Clear some areas within the onions for the rooster, then nestle it in.

• Bake the rooster thighs for quarter-hour. Take away the pan and toss the onions to advertise even cooking (I exploit a fork to stir them round a bit). Return to the oven and bake for 10 to twenty extra minutes (that’s 25 to 35 minutes whole), till the inner temperature of the rooster reaches 155 to 160 levels F (rooster is taken into account cooked at 165 levels F, however its temperature will proceed to rise because it rests). For those who’d prefer to brown the rooster pores and skin additional, on the finish of the cooking time, place the pan below the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes (watch carefully!).

• Take away the rooster to a serving plate. Cowl and let relaxation 10 minutes. Stir the onions within the pan, unfold them into a fair layer, then return them to the oven to roast additional whereas the rooster rests. The onions will turn into jammy and some would possibly look somewhat crispy.

• Take away the onions from the oven, then stir the vinegar into them. If desired, return the rooster to the pan and place below the broiler for crispy pores and skin.

• Serve the rooster thighs heat, with onions spooned excessive. Sprinkle with contemporary herbs.

• TO STORE: Refrigerate rooster thighs in an hermetic storage container for as much as 3 days.
• TO REHEAT: Gently rewarm leftovers in a baking dish within the oven at 350 levels F or within the microwave.
• TO FREEZE: Freeze rooster thighs in an hermetic, freezer-safe storage container for as much as 3 months. Let thaw in a single day within the fridge earlier than reheating.

Serving: 1(of 4)Energy: 605kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 36gFats: 47gSaturated Fats: 11gPolyunsaturated Fats: 9gMonounsaturated Fats: 23gTrans Fats: 1gLdl cholesterol: 213mgPotassium: 588mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 196IUVitamin C: 19mgCalcium: 59mgIron: 2mg

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Extra Wholesome Rooster Recipes

Listed here are extra of my very favourite straightforward oven baked rooster recipes to strive subsequent:

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