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Crispy Oven-Baked Boneless Chicken Thighs Recipe with Smoked Paprika Rub

crispy oven-baked boneless chicken thighs - featured image

A quick and easy recipe for crispy oven-baked boneless chicken thighs with a smoky paprika rub that delivers juicy, flavorful results perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 boneless, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds / 700 grams)
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional: pinch of cayenne pepper for heat

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional cayenne pepper. Mix well.
  4. Add olive oil to the spice blend and stir to form a paste-like rub.
  5. Coat each chicken thigh thoroughly with the rub, making sure to get under the edges of the skin where possible.
  6. Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on a wire rack set over a baking sheet.
  7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25–30 minutes. Start checking around 20 minutes; the skin should be golden and crisp, and internal temperature should read 165°F (74°C).
  8. If skin isn’t as crispy as desired, broil the thighs for 2–3 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
  9. Remove from oven and rest the chicken for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispy skin. Use a wire rack to allow air circulation and fat rendering. Broil at the end if skin needs extra crispiness. Rotate pan halfway through baking for even cooking. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, oven-baked chicken, boneless chicken thighs, smoked paprika chicken, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken