Introduction

Southern Baked Chicken Thighs are a simple yet flavorful dish perfect for any weeknight dinner. Crispy on the outside and juicy inside, this recipe uses a blend of spices and baking powder to achieve that perfect texture without frying.

A white bowl filled with large pieces of golden-brown fried chicken, each piece showing a crispy and slightly oily texture. The chicken has a warm orange-yellow color with reddish seasoning specks and green herb flakes scattered on the surface. The pieces are piled closely together, showing a crunchy crust with some darker spots where the frying is more intense. The detailed texture highlights the crispy batter with a rough and spiced finish. The bowl sits on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper
4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin on)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper for easy cleanup.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine the baking powder, seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper.
Step 3: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to help the skin crisp up. Rub the olive oil evenly over each piece.
Step 4: Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the chicken thighs, ensuring they are well coated on all sides.
Step 5: Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them slightly apart.
Step 6: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the skin is crisp and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Step 7: Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the juices to redistribute.

Tips & Variations

For extra crispiness, let the seasoned chicken rest uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes before baking.
Try swapping Italian seasoning with Cajun seasoning for a spicy twist.
If you prefer boneless thighs, reduce the baking time to 25-30 minutes and check doneness carefully.

Storage

Store leftover chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to retain crispiness, or microwave briefly but note the skin may soften.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with six pieces of crispy fried chicken, each piece showing a golden brown and orange color with a crunchy texture. The chicken is seasoned with visible herbs and spices sprinkled on top, giving it a slightly rough and crispy surface. The pieces are stacked close together, covering most of the bowl’s inside, set against a white marbled background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

You can substitute chicken breasts, but they tend to dry out faster. Adjust baking time accordingly, usually less than thighs, and consider marinating to keep them moist.

Why is baking powder used in this recipe?

Baking powder helps draw out moisture from the skin and promotes browning, resulting in a crispier chicken skin without frying.

Southern Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.4 from 54 reviews

This Southern Baked Chicken Thighs recipe delivers crispy, flavorful chicken with a perfectly seasoned, golden-brown crust. Coated with a blend of baking powder and aromatic spices, the chicken thighs bake to juicy tenderness with a crispy skin, making it an easy and delicious weeknight meal.

Author: Isabella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Southern American

Ingredients

Scale

Spice Mix

1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon seasoned salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon black pepper

Chicken

4 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin on)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) to ensure it’s hot enough to crisp the chicken skin.
Prepare Spice Mix: In a small bowl, combine the baking powder, seasoned salt, paprika, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and black pepper thoroughly.
Coat Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then drizzle with olive oil. Rub the spice mixture evenly all over the chicken thighs, ensuring full coverage for seasoning and crisping effect.
Place on Baking Sheet: Arrange the coated chicken thighs skin-side up on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. This allows air circulation to crisp the skin evenly.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden brown and crispy.
Rest and Serve: Remove from oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving to retain juices.

Notes

Using baking powder helps achieve a crispy skin by drawing moisture from the chicken skin.
Make sure to pat the chicken dry before applying the spice mix to enhance crispiness.
Bone-in, skin-on thighs are preferred for juiciness and flavor, but you can substitute with boneless if needed, adjusting cooking time accordingly.
If you don’t have Italian seasoning, you can use a mix of dried basil, oregano, and thyme.
The cooking time may vary depending on the size of the chicken thighs.

Keywords: Southern baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, baked chicken recipe, Southern chicken, crispy skin chicken, easy chicken dinner