Spicy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Herb Sauce
Spicy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Herb Sauce
Ingredients
For the Spicy Chicken Marinade
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, about 2 pounds total
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more, to taste
For the Creamy Herb Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 green onions, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
- 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and roughly chopped (use whole for more heat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, tomato paste, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper for the marinade. Whisk until a uniform, reddish-orange paste forms.
⏱️ 5 min
- 2
Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands to generously massage the marinade over each chicken thigh, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.
⏱️ 5 min
- 3
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a 9x13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup, then place an oven-safe wire rack on top.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400
- 4
Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on the wire rack, skin-side up, ensuring there is some space between each piece for even cooking and browning.
⏱️ 2 min
- 5
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, juicy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The skin should be deliciously charred and crispy. If desired, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes to enhance crispiness, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 35 min•🌡️ 400
- 6
While the chicken bakes, prepare the creamy herb sauce. Combine the plain Greek yogurt, chopped green onions, fresh mint leaves, seeded and chopped jalapeño, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt in a food processor.
⏱️ 5 min
- 7
Blend the sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve the hot chicken thighs with a generous drizzle or a side of the creamy herb sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Spicy Oven-Baked Chicken Thighs with Creamy Herb Sauce
Ingredients
For the Spicy Chicken Marinade
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, about 2 pounds total
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest, from 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper, or more, to taste
For the Creamy Herb Sauce
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 green onions, roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
- 1/2 jalapeño, seeded and roughly chopped (use whole for more heat)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, tomato paste, lemon zest, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper for the marinade. Whisk until a uniform, reddish-orange paste forms.
⏱️ 5 min - 2
Add the chicken thighs to the bowl with the marinade. Use your hands to generously massage the marinade over each chicken thigh, ensuring they are fully coated. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow the flavors to penetrate.
⏱️ 5 min - 3
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a 9x13 inch baking sheet with parchment paper or foil for easier cleanup, then place an oven-safe wire rack on top.
⏱️ 5 min•🌡️ 400 - 4
Arrange the marinated chicken thighs in a single layer on the wire rack, skin-side up, ensuring there is some space between each piece for even cooking and browning.
⏱️ 2 min - 5
Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown, juicy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. The skin should be deliciously charred and crispy. If desired, you can broil for the last 2-3 minutes to enhance crispiness, watching carefully to prevent burning.
⏱️ 35 min•🌡️ 400 - 6
While the chicken bakes, prepare the creamy herb sauce. Combine the plain Greek yogurt, chopped green onions, fresh mint leaves, seeded and chopped jalapeño, olive oil, fresh lemon juice, and salt in a food processor.
⏱️ 5 min - 7
Blend the sauce ingredients until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes before serving. Serve the hot chicken thighs with a generous drizzle or a side of the creamy herb sauce for dipping.
⏱️ 5 min