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Easy Baked Chicken Thighs with Brown Sugar Recipe

Easy Baked Chicken Thighs with Brown Sugar

Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are coated in a sweet garlic-paprika seasoning and baked until juicy, crisp, and beautifully browned. This simple dinner serves four and needs about 10 minutes of preparation.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken
  • 8 thighs, about 2½–3 pounds total Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Seasoning
  • 2 tablespoons Olive oil
  • ¼ cup Packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon, about 3 cloves Minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon Black pepper

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a rimmed baking sheet or baking dish with foil or parchment for easier cleanup.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels. Combine the brown sugar, minced garlic, paprika, kosher salt, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Rub the chicken with olive oil, then coat all sides with the brown-sugar seasoning mixture. Arrange the thighs skin-side up in a single layer with a little space between each piece.
  4. Bake for 35–45 minutes, depending on the size of the thighs, until the skin is browned and the thickest part reaches at least 165°F. For especially tender dark meat, cook toward 175–185°F.
  5. If the skin begins to over-brown before the chicken is cooked, loosely cover the pan with foil. Rest the baked chicken for about 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Dry the chicken well for crisp skin and avoid crowding the pan. For a smoky or spicy variation, add ½ teaspoon chili powder, cayenne, or smoked paprika. Boneless, skinless thighs cook more quickly, so begin checking them at 25–30 minutes.