Crispy Oven-Baked Chicken Dinner
This recipe delivers perfectly crispy, flavorful chicken with minimal effort, ideal for a satisfying weeknight meal.
Equipment
- Oven
- Baking sheet
- Wire rack (optional)
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- Chicken pieces Bone-in, skin-on thighs, drumsticks, or cut-up whole chicken
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon Garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon Onion powder
- ½ teaspoon Dried thyme or oregano
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Black pepper freshly ground, if possible
- ½ teaspoon Baking powder optional, but recommended
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and place a wire rack on a baking sheet if available.
- Pat the chicken pieces very dry with paper towels to ensure crispy skin.
Seasoning & Baking
- In a small bowl, combine smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried thyme/oregano, salt, black pepper, and baking powder (if using).
- Drizzle chicken with olive oil, rub it all over, then generously sprinkle the seasoning blend, pressing lightly to adhere.
- Place chicken skin-side up on the prepared baking sheet, ensuring pieces are not overcrowded, and bake for 30-40 minutes.
- Cook until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C); for extra crispiness, broil briefly for the last 2-3 minutes, watching carefully.
Serving
- Remove chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces. Patting the chicken very dry is crucial for crispy skin. You can adjust the spices to your preference. If you don't have a wire rack, grease the baking sheet well.