Juicy Baked or Air-Fried Chicken Thighs
Juicy Baked or Air-Fried Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
For the Chicken Thighs
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin removed for less calories
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 lemon, juiced
For Finishing (Optional)
- pinch salt, as needed
- pinch black pepper, as needed
- pinch lemon zest, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Place the 6 bone-in chicken thighs into a large mixing bowl. If desired, remove the skin for a lower calorie option.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
Add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, chili flakes, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the chicken thighs in the bowl.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Squeeze the juice from the whole lemon over the chicken thighs and seasonings.
⏱️ 1 min
- 4
Using your hands, thoroughly mix all the ingredients until the chicken thighs are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
⏱️ 3 min
- 5
To bake: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on a baking sheet. To air fry: Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 450
- 6
Before cooking, sprinkle an additional pinch of salt, black pepper, and lemon zest on top of the chicken thighs for extra flavor.
⏱️ 1 min
- 7
If baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is golden brown. If air frying: Air fry at 290°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is cooked through.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 450
- 8
Remove the chicken thighs from the oven or air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful chicken thighs!
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Juicy Baked or Air-Fried Chicken Thighs
For the Chicken Thighs
- 6 chicken thighs, bone-in, skin removed for less calories
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 lemon, juiced
For Finishing (Optional)
- pinch salt, as needed
- pinch black pepper, as needed
- pinch lemon zest, as needed
Instructions
- 1
Place the 6 bone-in chicken thighs into a large mixing bowl. If desired, remove the skin for a lower calorie option.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
Add the olive oil, salt, black pepper, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, chili flakes, minced garlic, and 1 teaspoon of lemon zest to the chicken thighs in the bowl.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Squeeze the juice from the whole lemon over the chicken thighs and seasonings.
⏱️ 1 min - 4
Using your hands, thoroughly mix all the ingredients until the chicken thighs are evenly coated with the seasoning mixture.
⏱️ 3 min - 5
To bake: Preheat your oven to 450°F. Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on a baking sheet. To air fry: Place the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer in your air fryer basket.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 450 - 6
Before cooking, sprinkle an additional pinch of salt, black pepper, and lemon zest on top of the chicken thighs for extra flavor.
⏱️ 1 min - 7
If baking: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is golden brown. If air frying: Air fry at 290°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the chicken is cooked through.
⏱️ 25 min•🌡️ 450 - 8
Remove the chicken thighs from the oven or air fryer and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your juicy and flavorful chicken thighs!
⏱️ 5 min