Baked chicken thighs are the best chicken thigh recipe for kids. Our recipe is quick and simple, prepared just the way kids like. Chicken thighs are seasoned and baked into a delicious dinner. Gluten-free.
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. It can be made with bone-in chicken thighs or you can substitute boneless chicken thighs if you’d like as well.
If on the search for more main dish chicken recipes, we have you covered with our Ninja Air Fryer Chicken Wings, Gluten-Free Chicken And Dumplings and Mississippi Chicken (Instant Pot).

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.
Are Chicken Thighs Kid-Friendly?
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 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 moister than a 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.
Table of Contents
How To Make
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.
To begin, start by preheating the oven to a temperature of 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Simultaneously, prepare the chicken for baking. Gently pat the chicken thighs dry using paper towels to remove any excess moisture. This step is essential for achieving a desirable texture during the cooking process.
Next, it’s time to season the chicken. Take the prepared chicken thighs and arrange them on a baking pan or within an oven-safe skillet. The choice of the cooking vessel is important as it affects the cooking process and the final result. Once the chicken thighs are positioned appropriately, generously sprinkle the chosen seasonings over them. This step imparts flavor to the chicken and contributes to its overall taste.
With the chicken properly seasoned, it’s time to move on to the baking step. Place the baking pan or skillet with the seasoned chicken thighs into the preheated oven. Let the chicken bake for approximately 30 minutes. The baking process is usually done uncovered, allowing the heat to evenly cook the chicken and develop its flavors.
To ensure that the chicken is cooked to a safe internal temperature, it’s recommended to use a thermometer. When the thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, the chicken is considered thoroughly cooked and safe to eat. However, for those who prefer a crisper texture to the chicken skin, an additional step can be taken. For this, you can switch the oven to broil mode and allow the chicken to broil for 1 to 2 minutes. While doing this, it’s important to keep a close eye on the chicken to prevent the spices from burning and becoming bitter.
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.
Substitutions
Elevate the flavor profile of chicken thighs by infusing them with a medley of seasonings, thereby introducing some variety into your meals. Experiment with these delicious spice combinations:
- Lemon, Sage, & Rosemary
- Garlic, Salt, & Olive Oil
- Paprika, Chili Powder, & Paprika
- Honey, Chili Powder, & Salt
These seasoning blends serve as the foundation for crafting delectable oven-baked chicken thigh recipes. To enhance the culinary experience, take it up a notch for younger palates by arranging the chicken and an array of vegetables on a baking sheet. Before baking, drizzle the vegetables with a modest amount of olive oil and season them with a pinch of salt and pepper. As the chicken thighs undergo their oven transformation, allow the vegetables to roast in tandem. To infuse an extra layer of taste, consider generously sprinkling any of the aforementioned spice combinations over the vegetables prior to roasting, along with the olive oil, salt, and pepper. This infusion of flavors is certain to create an enchanting and wholesome dish.
Frequently Asked Questions
To cook bone-in chicken thighs from frozen, simply increase the cooking time to 50-60 minutes. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees using a thermometer.
If you’d like to get the chicken served more quickly, you can always broil your chicken thighs. It takes about 20 minutes to cook the chicken this way. Make sure the internal temperature of the thigh is 165°F or continue to cook until this temperature is reached.
First, put the frozen chicken thighs in a sealed, leak-proof plastic bag, ensuring a tight seal. Next, fill your clean sink with cold water. Submerge the sealed bag of chicken in the cold water, and remember to change the water every half hour to maintain its cold temperature. Thawing chicken using this method should take approximately an hour for 1 lb of meat. This technique helps ensure thorough and safe thawing of the chicken thighs.
Storage Instructions
Storage:
- Allow the baked chicken thighs to cool down at room temperature for about 30 minutes.
- Place the cooled chicken thighs in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Label the container with the date to keep track of freshness.
- Store the container in the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C).
Reheating:
- Before reheating, remove the chicken thighs from the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for around 15 minutes. This helps even out the temperature and prevents overcooking during reheating.
- Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken thighs on a baking sheet and cover them with aluminum foil to prevent drying. Reheat for about 15-20 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Microwave: Place the chicken thighs on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Use the microwave’s reheat or medium power setting in short intervals, checking and stirring in between until the chicken is heated through.
- Stovetop: Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-low heat. Add a bit of oil or butter to prevent sticking. Place the chicken thighs in the skillet, cover with a lid, and gently heat for about 5-10 minutes, turning occasionally.
Remember, thorough reheating is crucial to ensure the chicken is safe to eat. Use a food thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Consume reheated chicken within 3-4 days of initial cooking. If you want to freeze baked chicken thighs for longer storage, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before placing them in an airtight container, and use within 2-6 months for the best quality.
More chicken thigh recipes for kids:
- Crockpot Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
- Maple Chicken Thighs
- Greek Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6-8 bone-in chicken thighs ✅
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon onion powder ✅
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley ✅
- salt & pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prep the chicken. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pat chicken thighs dry with paper toweling.
- Season the chicken. Place chicken thighs onto a baking pan or in an oven-safe skillet. Sprinkle seasonings onto chicken thighs.
- ⭐️Bake. Bake for 30 minutes, uncovered or until your thermometer reads 165 degrees. For crisper skin, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching to not burn spices.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Then follow us on social media and tag #createkidsclub if you make the recipe. We love seeing what you come up with!
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*The photos in this post were updated in February 2022.
Mariangelica @ Chasing Littles says
Thanks for the recipe! Although I’m vegetarian, my husband isn’t and chicken is like his weakness haha. I will totally pass him this recipe and he’ll be so excited! Thanks for sharing and your photos loos phenomenal!
Create Kids Club says
Thanks Mariangelica! Hope he enjoys ๐
Liz @ I Heart Vegetables says
I’m bookmarking this! I’m a vegetarian but my husband loves chicken thighs and I never make them for him because I couldn’t find an easy way to make them! This is perfect!
Create Kids Club says
You can’t get much easier! I hope he likes them!
Chrissy @ Snacking in Sneakers says
Chicken thighs are definitely one of my fav things to cook. They’re so easy and versatile and CHEAP! I love how you can make a lot of frugal recipes with them.
Create Kids Club says
Me too Chrissy. Once I realized the cost savings, how much my kids loved them, and how simple they were, I have stocked my freezer full ๐
Emily @SinfulNutrition says
So simple and delicious! I don’t cook chicken thighs nearly as much as I should. They’re so much more flavorful!
Create Kids Club says
They really are, Emily! I never cooked with them until one day I picked some up on sale. My family loved that dinner so much, I continued buying them ๐
Tee says
Chicken is my favorite and I’ve always been pro chicken thighs despite the bad rap! Will definitely keep this recipe handy!
Create Kids Club says
That’s great news ๐
abbey sharp says
I love cooking chicken thighs with the skin on too! Helps keep in the juices and flavours! This looks great .
Create Kids Club says
I makes a huge difference in flavor for sure!
Karyl | Karyl's Kulinary Krusade says
I’m a lifelong dark meat girl! More flavor, more tender. And you are so right, bone-in chicken is even more flavorful. Definitely pinning this recipe
Create Kids Club says
So happy to hear this Karyl! I do hope you enjoy the recipe, and thanks for pinning! ๐
Chris Courtney says
Thanks for the recipe. Very simple. One question. You noted that you patted the chicken thighs. Do you wash the thighs before cooking? Some people do and some don’t.
Create Kids Club says
Great question Chris! I live by the belief that washing raw chicken does not clean it. In fact, rinsing raw chicken can spread harmful bacteria such as Salmonella or Campylobacter around the kitchen, which left uncleaned, can lead to trouble. Cooking the chicken to an internal temp of 165 degrees kills all potentially harmful pathogens and is the way I go!
Mary says
My family loves this recipe!
MD says
Looks delicious. How can I modify this to cook with drumsticks and bone-in breasts? (What I have in the house right now)
Create Kids Club says
You should be able to follow the directions exactly as written, replacing the chicken thighs with bone-in drumsticks and bone-in chicken breasts. You may need to extend the cook time, however, to cook 40- 50 minutes. Check them with a thermometer to make sure they hit 165 degrees before serving. I’d love to hear how they turn out!
Patrick says
Its in the oven as we speak! I am new to cooking (Single male thay resorts to take out) and have switched to prettt strict diet. For me, this is branching out lol im very excited to try it!! It smells amazing!
Update: Super easy and super tasty!!!
Create Kids Club says
Thank you so much for sharing, Patrick, and I am thrilled to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Check out the blog for more super easy ideas! Many of the recipe leftovers can be frozen for meals down the road. ๐
Carissa says
Does it make a difference if in a cast iron skillet or glass baking dish?
Create Kids Club says
Hi Carissa! It makes no difference at all! I’d love to hear how you like them once you give it a try!
Jahaira Luzzi says
so no oil needed huh?
Create Kids Club says
Hi Jahaira! No oil is needed for this recipe. If you’d like to brush a little on top of the chicken before adding the spices that works too. Enjoy!
Nancy says
Two things that I love are chicken thighs and easy. Can’t wait.to try this. Thanks so much for the great recipe.