Baked Chicken Thighs

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This easy chicken recipe for kids is quick to make, is a kid favorite meal, and some of the most delicious chicken you’ll ever make.  Chicken thighs are seasoned and baked into a delicious & quick dinner recipe for kids. 

This baked chicken thigh recipe is very easy to make.  It’s perfect for those not yet comfortable in the kitchen, college students, and busy parents alike.  

This recipe is gluten-free and keto friendly.  It can be made with bone-in chicken thighs or you can substitute boneless chicken thighs if you’d like as well.  

The flavor makes guests and family members think you slaved over dinner when really it will take 5 minutes to prepare the dish and you can relax while it bakes.

What are Chicken Thighs?

What they are: Chicken thighs are a portion of the leg that is referred to as the “dark meat”.  The meat has a darker color and a higher fat content than “white meat”.  As a child, my siblings and I always argued over who got the dark meat – it tasted the best!  Chicken thighs also have a tender texture compared to the more chewier chicken breast. 

Why they’re a great buy: Chicken thighs are everywhere for good reason. They are an exceptional value. Not only do they deliver the most flavor of any cut of chicken, but they are also far cheaper than chicken breast.

What Are Boneless Chicken Thighs?

This popular cut of chicken comes with both the bone and skin removed. It’s quicker-cooking than bone-in thighs. This cut will run you a higher price tag as there is extra work done to the product. If you’re looking for chicken recipes for kids and are used to using boneless, skinless chicken breasts, try these instead.  They have more flavor and will be more moist than chicken breast, and kids love them!  

Chicken thigh recipes for kids are go-to meals at my home. I used to stay away from bone-in chicken thighs because I wasn’t sure what to do with them and I wasn’t sure how my family would like them. 

I quickly found out the first time I made them that kids love chicken thighs!  I typically made chicken breasts before this and I think my kids were amazed that chicken could be so juicy and moist, they ate their dinner that night with zero complaints and I was hooked on chicken thigh recipes for kids.  

I have developed many recipes over the years utilizing this inexpensive and delicious ingredient.  Check out Crockpot Chicken Thighs for another simple chicken thigh recipe along with Chicken Cacciatore and Coconut Chicken. 

My families favorite chicken recipes for kids besides these chicken thighs include –

My daughter’s all-time favorite meals Chicken Pot Pie and Crustless Chicken Pot Pie along with Crockpot Mexican Quinoa Chicken, Chicken Tortilla Soup, and Chicken Enchiladas.

Chicken Thigh Recipes Oven

Making chicken thighs in the oven is a great way to get moist juicy chicken on the inside and crispy finger-licking deliciousness on the outside. 

Follow these instructions if your chicken is not frozen. 

1. Heat your oven to 400 degrees
2. Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in a baking dish or cast iron pan
3. Season with spices
4. Bake for 30 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches at least 165 degrees, with the thermometer not touching the bone

Frozen Chicken Thigh Recipe In Oven

To cook bone-in chicken thighs from frozen, simply increase the cook time to 50-60 minutes.  Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees using a thermometer. 

Not sure your thermometer is working correctly?  Did you know you can quickly make a few adjustments to calibrate it for accuracy?  Check out my post about How To Calibrate a Thermometer to ensure your kitchen thermometer is working properly.  I believe using a thermometer fixes many kitchen problems when it comes to cooking meats. 

Kitchen Tip: For more flavor, while cutting fat and calories, bake the chicken thighs with skin on, then take it off after cooking. If you want to cut back on calories and fat, simply remove the skin before cooking.

You can bake chicken thighs from frozen or defrost them first.  It’s pretty easy to do.  

How to Defrost Chicken Fast

1. Place the frozen chicken thighs in a leak-proof plastic bag, sealing tightly
2. Fill your clean sink with cold water
3. Place the sealed bag of frozen chicken into the cold water
4. Changing the water every half hour, keeping the water cold
5. For 1 lb of meat, it should take about an hour to thaw the chicken thighs.

Kitchen Tip: For more ways to safely thaw meat check out this article by the USDA.

Use this dinner recipe for kids and simply swap out the spices for a completely different flavor.  

Spice combos to try include:

• Lemon, Sage, & Rosemary 
• Garlic, Salt, & Olive Oil
• Paprika, Chili Powder, & Paprika
• Honey, Chili Powder, & Salt

These combos make delicious chicken thigh recipes for the oven.  Upgrade this chicken recipe for kids even more by baking on a baking sheet with an assortment of veggies roasting alongside.  Simply drizzle veggies with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper.  Let them roast while the chicken thighs bake in the oven.  

Try the following veggies for a dinner recipe kids will love:

• baby red potatoes, sliced
• baby carrots
• asparagus
• green beans
• diced butternut squash 
• sliced acorn squash
• cherry tomatoes and sliced onions
• Combinations of any of the above

For more sheet pan dinners, check out these delicious and simple recipes One Pan Chicken Sausage and Vegetables and Sheet Pan Pork Loin with Veggies.

If you’re looking for something a little more exciting than roasted vegetables as a side dish, I highly recommend cheesy potatoes, mashed potato bites, green bean satay or baked zucchini crisps. 

How To Reheat Chicken Thighs in Oven

These chicken thighs make delicious leftovers.  While you can reheat them in the microwave, they are much crisper and moist if you reheat them in the oven.

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Arrange chicken thighs on a baking sheet
• Brush chicken lightly with olive oil
• Bake for about 20 minutes or until warmed through

If you enjoyed the recipe make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!  Then follow me on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe.  I love seeing what you come up with! 

Easy Baked Chicken Thighs

★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews

• Author: Jodi Danen, RDN | Create Kids Club
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 3-4 people 1x
• Category: main
• Method: baked
• Cuisine: American

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Description

Chicken Thighs For Kids are an easy dinner idea. Kids love the flavor of chicken thighs, use bone-in or boneless. Learn to make crispy, moist chicken in just 30 minutes.

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Ingredients

• 6–8 bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1 tsp. dried parsley
• salt & pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper toweling
3. Place chicken thighs onto a baking pan or in an oven-safe skillet
4. Sprinkle seasonings onto chicken thighs
5. Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered or until your thermometer reads 165 degrees
6. For crisper skin, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching to not burn spices

Nutrition

• Calories: 120

1 g38.2 mg1.6 g2.2 g0.5 g7.9 g

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