Chicken thighs should be cooked in the oven at 400°F for about 40 to 45 minutes. This time ensures the chicken is juicy and tender, especially for bone-in, skin-on thighs. For the best results, cooking to an internal temperature of around 175°F to 200°F is recommended to ensure tenderness and safety. You can also broil the chicken for a couple of minutes at the end to get crispy skin if desired. Here are some key points for cooking chicken thighs at 400°F:
- Cooking time: 40-45 minutes
- Internal temperature target: around 175°F to 200°F (depending on desired tenderness)
- For crispy skin, broil for 2-3 minutes after baking
- Bone-in, skin-on thighs are forgiving and less likely to dry out compared to breasts
- Use a meat thermometer to check internal temperature for best results
If you don't have a thermometer, 40 minutes is a good average time to ensure they are cooked through and juicy.
