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.
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.
Follow these instructions if your chicken is not frozen.
- Heat your oven to 400 degrees
- Place the chicken thighs in a single layer in a baking dish or cast iron pan
- Season with spices
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until the internal temp reaches at least 165 degrees, with the thermometer not touching the bone
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.
Substitutions
Chicken thighs can easily be flavored with a seasoning blend for more flavor and to add variety to your meals. 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.
Best Vegetables for Roasting with Chicken
- Brussels sprouts
- Tricolor carrots
- Caramelized Butternut Squash
- Fresh green beans
- Baby red potatoes, sliced
- Broccoli florets
- Zucchini and squash
If looking for an extra flavor boost, sprinkle any of the spice combinations listed below over the veggies prior to roasting along with the olive oil, salt and pepper.
More Side Dish Parings
- baby carrots
- asparagus
- diced butternut squash
- sliced acorn squash
- cherry tomatoes and sliced onions
- Combinations of any of the above
If you’re looking for something a little more exciting than roasted vegetables as a side dish, we highly recommend cheesy potatoes, mashed potato bites, green bean satay or baked zucchini crisps.
Storage Instructions
For the fridge: Leftovers can be stored in the fridge once completely cooled in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
For the freezer: Leftover chicken thighs can also be kept in the freezer for up to 3 months then thawed overnight in the fridge prior to reheating.
How to Use Leftovers
Reheat to serve as is or use in one of your favorite hot chicken recipes such as Grandmas Chicken Casserole, Chicken Bacon Ranch Tatertot Casserole or Oven Baked Chicken Tacos.
Serve in a cold chicken recipe such as a chicken Caesar salad wrap, tossed garden salad or creamy chicken salad sandwich.
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.
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.
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.
Check out Crispy Broiled Chicken if you’d like more info on broiling chicken thighs.
If you’re interested in boiling chicken thighs it takes about 30 minutes to cook through. The result is super moist chicken that can be used in a variety of ways. You can add herbs and veggies to your boiled chicken to boost the flavor. Head here to find out how to boil chicken.
-Place the frozen chicken thighs in a leak-proof plastic bag, sealing tightly
-Fill your clean sink with cold water
-Place the sealed bag of frozen chicken into the cold water
-Changing the water every half hour, keeping the water cold
-For 1 lb of meat, it should take about an hour to thaw the chicken thighs.
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
More chicken thigh recipes for kids:
- Crockpot Chicken Thighs
- Chicken Cacciatore
- Coconut Chicken
- Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Thighs
- Maple Chicken Thighs
- Greek Chicken Thighs
- Instant Pot Bone-In Chicken Thighs
- Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
Favorite chicken recipes for kids:
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Crustless Chicken Pot Pie
- Crockpot Mexican Quinoa Chicken
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Instant Pot Chicken Stew
- Shredded Chicken Quesadillas
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.
Notes
Nutrition
If you enjoyed these recipes make sure to leave a comment and a star rating below!
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 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
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 🙂
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! 🙂
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. 🙂
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.