Looking for a no-fuss, juicy, and flavorful chicken dinner that practically makes itself? This Juicy Easy Baked Chicken recipe is about to become your new go-to. With simple pantry ingredients and just one pan, you’ll have tender, golden-baked chicken thighs or breasts that your whole family will love. It’s perfect for weeknights but elegant enough for guests.
What makes this chicken special is the perfect balance of seasoning and the way it seals in moisture during baking. No more dry, flavorless chicken! This method works every time and allows you to pair it with anything—rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad. One bite and you’ll see why it earns a regular spot in the dinner rotation.
What Kind of Chicken Should I Use?
Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are the top choice here because they stay moist and deliver rich flavor. However, boneless thighs or chicken breasts work well too—just reduce the baking time to avoid drying out the meat. If you’re going for ultra-lean, chicken breasts benefit from a quick brine or a little extra olive oil.
Ingredients for the Juicy Easy Baked Chicken
- 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
How To Make the Juicy Easy Baked Chicken
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
Step 2: Season the Chicken
In a small bowl, mix together garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then rub each piece with olive oil. Sprinkle the seasoning blend all over the chicken, making sure to get under the skin too.
Step 3: Arrange and Bake
Place the chicken skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet. Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the skin is golden and crispy.
Step 4: Let it Rest
Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. This keeps it juicy and lets the flavors settle.
Serving and Storing Juicy Easy Baked Chicken
Serve this juicy chicken with your favorite side dishes—think roasted potatoes, buttered noodles, or a crisp garden salad. The leftovers make great additions to sandwiches, wraps, or even pasta.
To store, cool the chicken completely and refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days. It also freezes beautifully for up to 2 months. To reheat, bake in a 350°F oven until warmed through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I keep the chicken from drying out?
Use bone-in, skin-on chicken and don’t skip the resting time. The skin helps lock in moisture, and resting allows the juices to redistribute.
Can I use boneless chicken breasts?
Yes, but reduce the baking time to 25–30 minutes depending on thickness. Always check for an internal temperature of 165°F.
What other seasonings can I try?
Feel free to experiment with Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, Cajun spices, or a lemon-pepper mix.
Can I marinate the chicken ahead of time?
Absolutely! Marinate it for up to 24 hours in the fridge for extra flavor.
Do I need to flip the chicken while baking?
No need to flip! Keeping the skin side up helps it get nice and crispy.
What’s the best way to reheat leftovers?
Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 10-15 minutes. This keeps the skin a bit crispy and the meat juicy.
Want More Chicken Dinner Ideas?
If you loved this Juicy Easy Baked Chicken, check out these other weeknight-friendly chicken favorites:
- Marry Me Chicken Pasta for a creamy, romantic twist.
- Creamy Garlic Chicken Breasts for rich comfort food.
- One-Pan Chicken with Buttered Noodles for minimal cleanup.
- Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole if you’re craving cheesy baked goodness.
- Slow Cooker Creamy Ranch Chicken when you want dinner ready and waiting.
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you stick with thighs or try breasts? Did you toss in extra spices or keep it classic?
I love seeing how everyone makes these recipes their own. Got a question? Drop it below—I’m happy to help!
More everyday recipes and food inspiration are over on my Pinterest at Nina Dishes.
Juicy Easy Baked Chicken
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
Description
This Juicy Easy Baked Chicken is everything you want in a simple weeknight dinner—flavorful, tender, and crispy-skinned. With minimal prep and bold seasoning, it bakes to perfection in just under an hour. Great with your favorite sides or stored for easy leftovers.
Ingredients
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon kosher salt
0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment for easy cleanup.
2. In a small bowl, mix garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Rub each piece with olive oil.
4. Sprinkle seasoning all over chicken, including under the skin.
5. Arrange chicken skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet.
6. Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes until skin is golden and internal temp is 165°F.
7. Let rest 5 minutes before serving to lock in juices.
Notes
Patting the chicken dry helps the skin crisp up.
Use a meat thermometer for best doneness.
Store leftovers in an airtight container up to 4 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 0 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
Keywords: baked chicken, easy chicken dinner, crispy skin chicken
