Sanity Saving Easy Baked Chicken Thighs
Looking for an easy weeknight dinner idea? These sanity-saving easy baked chicken thighs fit the bill!
One of the best things about chicken thighs is that they’re a very forgiving cut of meat. Unlike chicken breasts, which can easily dry out if not cooked properly, chicken thighs are juicy and succulent regardless of how they’re cooked. This makes them an ideal ingredient for novice cooks or those who are short on time.
In this recipe, we’ll show you how to bake chicken thighs in the oven so that they come out perfectly every time.
The secret to this recipe is to bake the chicken thighs in a baking dish with sliced onions. The onions become deliciously caramelized and sweet as they roast, and they make these baked chicken thighs feel extra special.
In order to bake chicken thighs, you’ll need a baking dish, an instant-read meat thermometer, and a marinade.
A marinade is a sauce or liquid in which meat, fish, or poultry is soaked to enhance the flavor. In some cases, a marinade can also help to tenderize the protein. The most common ingredients in a marinade are oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices.
How long to marinate chicken thighs will depend on the ingredients in your marinade. A general rule of thumb is to let the chicken soak in the marinade for at least 30 minutes, but you can prep your chicken in the morning and go as long as 12 hours if you like.
There are many different types of marinade for chicken thighs, and you can use whichever one you like best. In this recipe, we’re using a simple marinade of essential cooking ingredients found in almost every home kitchen.
A mixture of olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and lemon juice forms imparts a delicious flavor.
Removing chicken thighs from the packaging can be a bit tricky, as they’re often slippery. Here are a few tips to make it easier:
– Use a sharp knife to cut the packaging open.
– Gently pull the chicken thighs out of the packaging
– Use a paper towel to pat the chicken thighs dry.
When marinating chicken thighs, it is important to keep in mind how to marinate chicken thighs safely. Marinating chicken thighs in a mixture of oil, vinegar, and herbs is a delicious way to enhance their flavor, but it’s important to take some precautions while doing so.
One of the most important things to remember when marinating chicken thighs is to use a food-safe container. A glass dish or resealable plastic bag works well. If using a plastic bag, be sure to double-bag it to avoid any leaks.
Another important thing to remember is to never reuse the marinade once it has been in contact with raw chicken. Discard any leftover marinade and make a new batch for later use. This is because raw chicken can contain bacteria that can cause food poisoning.
Now that you know how to safely marinate chicken thighs, let’s get started with the recipe!
Ingredients:
-6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
-½ cup olive oil
-¼ cup vinegar (white or red wine)
-½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
-½ teaspoon salt
-¼ teaspoon black pepper
-juice of ½ lemon
1 large onion, sliced
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
In a baking dish, combine chicken thighs, olive oil, vinegar, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and lemon juice.
Top chicken with onion slices.
Bake in preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
Now that you know how to bake chicken thighs, you can make this delicious and easy dish any time you need an easy dinner! The chicken thighs come out moist and juicy every time, and the onions add a touch of sweetness.
Serve these baked chicken thighs with some roasted vegetables or jasmine rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!
