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Crispy Spanish Baked Chicken Thighs

Written By: Byron | January 15, 2025
a crispy spanish baked chicken thigh

Make perfectly crispy Spanish-baked chicken thighs that are juicy and deliciously spiced with cayenne and smoked Spanish paprika. These crispy chicken thighs are the perfect main meal and super easy to make with less than 5 minutes prep and ready in around 45 minutes

We use a combination of Spanish smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and other spices to lightly flavor the skin, along with a secret ingredient to give the perfect extra crispy skin every time. Easy to make, lots of flavor, and no deep frying required!

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Serving:

6 thighs

Ready in:

45 minutes

Skill level:

Easy

Serve with:

Rice, steamed veg

Watch step-by-step recipe video

If you’re looking for this recipe’s video and many other great recipe ideas, why not check out our Spanish Radish YouTube Channel? We’ve got everything from quick and easy tapas recipes to delicious main meals, to incredible Spanish dessert options too.

How to Cook chicken thighs in the oven (perfectly crispy every time!)

Ingredients

Equipment

    a tray of crispy baked chicken thighs

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 120°C / 250°F 
    • Add all the spices and seasoning into a large bowl with the olive oil, lemon zest, and juice and mix with a fork. Then add the chicken thighs and coat in the sauce. Rub it in and under the chicken skin for best results. 
    • Place chicken thighs onto a mesh tray with an oven tray below (to catch any drips). Bake for 25-30 minutes. 
    • Check chicken and increase oven temp to 200°C / 400°F. Bake for a further 10 minutes for extra crispy skin. 
    • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 74°C / 165°F. Once done, remove from oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving. 
    • Plate and garnish with a little freshly chopped parsley. 
    • For a balanced meal, serve with steamed white rice, baked potatoes, and leafy greens or veg.

    Cooking Tips and FAQs

    ⚠️ Important Cooking Note: Never leave the oven unattended. Keep an eye on the oven throughout the cooking process as the chicken fat and oil can be hazardous and catch fire when cooked at high temperatures. If the oven starts to condense with smoke, reduce heat immediately. 

    🧑‍🍳 Use a mesh baking tray and drip tray underneath: Chicken thighs contain a lot of fat that will reduce and drip once cooked. To save on cleaning, we suggest using a mesh baking sheet and a drip tray below to catch any fat. 

    🍗 Use skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs: For the best flavor and texture, use chicken thighs with the skin-on and bone-in. Boneless chicken thighs can be used, however reduce cooking time to suit. 

    🌡️ Use a Meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 74°C / 165°F. Once done, remove from oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving. 

    🫒 Use good quality olive oil: We always use a quality brand of extra virgin olive oil for any recipes we make.

    Why you’ll love Crispy Spanish Baked Chicken Thighs

    Easy – just 5 minutes of prep and you’re good to go.

    Juicy and flavorful chicken – Lightly seasoned juicy chicken thighs with a deliciously crispy skin

    Ideal main meal – Add your favorite grain and some steamed veg for a healthy and balanced meal

    High in Protein – Chicken thighs are one of the best sources of protein. 

        Serving Suggestions

        • Steamed white or brown rice
        • Quinoa or cous cous
        • Steamed broccoli, curly kale, or spinach
        • Stemed veg (carrots, peas, green beans) 

        For a balanced meal, this recipe is best when served alongside some steamed rice, your favorite greens, or some steamed veg. 

        a crispy spanish baked chicken thigh

        Nutrition Facts

        Servings: 4

        Amount per serving

         

        Calories

        271

        % Daily Value*

        Total Fat 18g

        23%

        Saturated Fat 4.5g

        23%

        Cholesterol 86mg

        29%

        Sodium 661mg

        29%

        Total Carbohydrate 3.4g

        1%

        Dietary Fiber 0.4g

        1%

        Total Sugars 2.5g

         

        Protein 23.6g

         

        Vitamin D 0mcg

        0%

        Calcium 70mg

        5%

        Iron 2mg

        8%

        Potassium 371mg

        8%

        *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice.

            a crispy spanish baked chicken thigh

            Crispy Spanish Baked Chicken Thighs - Easy 45-Minute Recipe - LESS OIL MORE FLAVOR!

            Byron
            Make perfectly crispy Spanish baked chicken thighs that are juicy and deliciously spiced with cayenne and smoked Spanish paprika. Easy to make, lots of flavor, and no deep frying required!
            5 from 1 vote
            Prep Time 5 minutes
            Cook Time 40 minutes
            Total Time 45 minutes
            Course Chicken, dinner, Main Course
            Cuisine American, Mediterranean, Spain
            Servings 6 chicken thighs
            Calories 271 kcal

            Equipment

            • large Glass bowl
            • Stainless steel baking tray *
            • Mesh baking rack
            • Cooking Tongs
            • Lemon juicer (optional)
            • Serving plate or platter

            Ingredients

            • 6 chicken thighs skin on, bone in approx 1kg / 35 oz.
            • 1 tsp Spanish La Vera smoked paprika
            • 1 tsp Salt
            • ½ tsp White pepper
            • 1 tsp Garlic powder
            • ½ tsp Cayenne pepper add more for extra heat
            • 1 Tbsp baking powder
            • 1-2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
            • Lemon zest and juice 1 lemon

            Instructions
             

            • Preheat oven to 120°C / 250°F
            • Add all the spices and seasoning into a large bowl with the olive oil, lemon zest, and juice and mix with a fork. Then add the chicken thighs and coat in the sauce. Rub it in and under the chicken skin for best results.
              6 chicken thighs, 1 tsp Spanish La Vera smoked paprika, 1 tsp Salt, ½ tsp White pepper, 1 tsp Garlic powder, ½ tsp Cayenne pepper, 1 Tbsp baking powder, 1-2 Tbsp Extra virgin olive oil, Lemon zest and juice
            • Place chicken thighs onto a mesh tray with an oven tray below (to catch any drips). Bake for 25-30 minutes.
            • Check chicken and increase oven temp to 200°C / 400°F. Bake for a further 10 minutes for extra crispy skin.
            • Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 74°C / 165°F. Once done, remove from oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

            Video

            Notes

            Cooking Tips and FAQs

            ⚠️Important Cooking Note: Never leave the oven unattended. Keep an eye on the oven throughout the cooking process as the chicken fat and oil can be hazardous and catch fire when cooked at high temperatures. If the oven starts to condense with smoke, reduce heat immediately. 
            🧑‍🍳Use a mesh baking tray and drip tray underneath: Chicken thighs contain a lot of fat that will reduce and drip once cooked. To save on cleaning, we suggest using a mesh baking sheet and a drip tray below to catch any fat. 
            🍗Use skin-on and bone-in chicken thighs: For the best flavor and texture, use chicken thighs with the skin-on and bone-in. Boneless chicken thighs can be used, however reduce cooking time to suit. 
            🌡️Use a Meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 74°C / 165°F. Once done, remove from oven and leave to rest for 5 minutes before serving. 
            🫒Use good quality olive oil: We always use a quality brand of extra virgin olive oil for any recipes we make.
            Keyword 45-minute recipe, baked Chicken, cayenne pepper, Chicken thighs, crispy baked chicken thighs, crispy chicken, smoked paprika, spanish baked chicken thighs

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            2 Comments

            1. Jon

              5 stars
              Very easy to make and turned out extra crispy!

              Reply
              • Byron

                So glad you enjoyed the recipe jon!

                Reply

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            Recipe Rating




            a juicy spanish baked chicken thigh sliced on a cutting board.