Learn how to bake chicken thighs in the oven with this easy to follow step by step instructions. This easy chicken recipe is gluten free, low carb and low maintenance! Flavored with garlic, coated in mayo and baked in the oven for perfect crispy skin on the outside and juicy chicken on the inside!
Cooking chicken thighs with mayo is super easy, and it makes for a mouthwatering dinner and lunch option for all occasions. It doesn't matter if you just are looking for a quick fix to feed the family or if you are planning a special meal. Chicken things are always an easy dinner favorite, and it's next to impossible to mess up!
If you enjoy cooking thighs as much as I do, see the collection of chicken thighs recipes here.
Baking chicken thighs is easy!
I'd like to introduce you to my favorite chicken recipe. Great juicy chicken thighs baked in the pan!
Maybe you've already made something like this. If not, meet Easy Everyday Chicken. Rich and full of flavor, if you've never had chicken with mayo, I urge you to try this recipe. You won't believe how easy baking chicken thighs can be. Get it right first time and every time.
Why cook chicken thighs
Customizable and wallet friendly recipe. Chicken thighs is a very affordable and versatile protein, suitable both for busy weeknights and special occasions and holidays. I love making Parmesan Crusted Chicken and Easy Pan Seared Chicken. So what's so special about this chicken recipe then?
Satisfying and simple meal. To start with, these Easy Everyday Chicken thighs are rich and satisfying. Plus as simple and quick as it is to prepare you'll have a drool worthy meal on the table within 30 minutes!
Serve it with the indulgent Creamy Garlic Potatoes or a healthy addition of Avocado Salad.
What kind of mayonnaise to use
Canola Mayonnaise. I usually use canola mayo to make my everyday chicken thighs extra crispy and juicy. I like the texture and the amount of oil this mayonnaise contains.
Avocado Mayonnaise. Sometimes I prepare this easy chicken with Avocado Mayonnaise and love the avocado version as well!
What kind of chicken to use
Chicken thighs. To make easy every chicken, make sure to use bone-in skin-on chicken thighs. You can easily dredge them in the mayonnaise mixture. Another selling point is since they are moist and will have crispy skin.
Plus, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are so easy to find! They are also relatively high in fat and a good source of lean protein. So perfect!
Can I use chicken breasts? Yes, if you use thick chicken breasts. Note that the principal difference between the two is the fat content. Chicken thighs are fattier than the breasts and are also moister in comparison.
How to prep the chicken thighs
First, paper towel dry the chicken. Next, in a large bowl, combine mayonnaise, sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Immediately stir well to blend.
Now, using a fork or tongs, coat the chicken thighs in the mayo mixture and set aside.
Additionally, you can also use a spoon to coat the chicken with mayo. Then you can use salt, garlic powder, pepper and Italian seasoning on top of mayonnaise.
How to bake chicken thighs
Use oven proof skillet. My favorite way to cook easy everyday chicken is in an cast iron, stainless steel pan or carbon steel skillet. Only 30 minutes of oven time in a hot skillet will get you cooked chicken perfection in my book.
Bake at 375 F. Place coated chicken thighs into a skillet and bake at 375 F for 30 to 35 minutes until skin is brown and crispy on the outside.
How to make easy everyday chicken into a dinner?
While I could probably be perfectly happy with a serving of baked chicken thighs and nothing else, most of the time easy everyday chicken needs some accompaniment, usually carbs, to make it a meal. I suggest Creamy Garlic Potatoes or Garlic Butter Spaghetti.
Because baked chicken thighs are so universal, you can add it to pretty much anything! Serve chicken over brown rice or spaghetti squash, eat it over a bed of greens, or with some roasted vegetables on the side. What's your favorite way to have chicken thighs for dinner?
Easy Everyday Chicken
Ingredients
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 tablespoon mayonnaise (canola or avocado kind)
- 1.5 lb. chicken thighs skin on, bone in
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 F
- First things first, add salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning to a large bowl.
- Next add mayonnaise to the bowl and mix everything.
- Coat chicken thighs in the mixture.
- Add chicken thighs to the oven proof skillet and bake at 375 F for 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through and browned on the outside. Remove and serve
Kathi says
Can you use olive oil mayo?
Olya says
Yes! That's what I use.
Kathy says
Could you make this with chicken drumsticks?
Olya says
Yes, you can use drumsticks
Nanna x3 says
Do u cover the pan when cooking. Please tell me covered or uncover in your recipes. Thank u !
Olya says
I cooked it uncovered.
Colleen S says
Hi the instructions leading up to the actual recipe talks about putting the thighs in mayo then another heading says says, why dredge in flour?. The actual recipe mentions then nothing about flour. Can you clarify when you dredge in flour? I assume after the mayo?
Thanks
Colleen
Olya says
Hi Colleen - there is no flour in this recipe (although you can definitely use it) - I removed the reference from the description. Thank you for catching this!