Oven Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs (With Crispy Skin!)
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Crispy oven baked ranch chicken thighs are juicy on the inside and full of ranch flavor. This simple dinner recipe only needs five ingredients and comes together so fast, you’ll want to add it to your regular rotation.
Table of Contents
Why We Love Crispy Ranch Chicken Thighs
When I first made my crispy chicken oven baked chicken thighs, I’ll be honest I was a little shocked at just how easy they came together. When I saw just how much my family enjoyed the originals, I knew I had to make this recipe with other flavors.
The ranch seasoning so compliments the chicken giving you a restaurant-quality dinner that’s packed full of flavor. The kid enjoyed the crispiness too, you’ll love this recipe.
We eat a lot of chicken breast in our house and love a good chicken recipe, but chicken thighs always seem to be the cut that really packs in the flavor. I’ve noticed a lot of restaurants serve chicken thighs as part of their menus.
Not only that but chicken thighs are a little less expensive, even better for putting them into our regular chicken dinner rotation. I’ve made a few other chicken thigh recipes like honey garlic chicken thighs and baked chicken thighs with vegetables which are all equally delicious.
Ingredients For Crispy Ranch Chicken Thighs
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions below in the recipe card.
- chicken thighs bone-in chicken thighs with the skin-on. You can use boneless chicken thighs but they cook more quickly. Expect to start checking boneless thighs after 25 minutes cooking for doneness.
- baking powder – do not swap baking soda! Baking powder helps you to get that crispy chicken skin
- ranch seasoning – you want the dry ranch dressing mix, I used a Hidden Valley ranch packet
- garlic powder
- black pepper
I found my chicken had plenty of salt with the ranch seasoning mix, but if yours doesn’t include salt you may want to add 1/2 teaspoon of salt. More salt can also be added to taste at the table.
How To Make Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed lightly with cooking oil.
- Dry bone in chicken thighs with paper towels well to remove any extra moisture. You may need to pat the chicken with paper towels a few times to get the chicken thighs dry. This also helps the spices stick to the chicken.
- Place the baking powder, ranch seasoning, garlic powder and pepper in a bowl. Mix the ingredients together.
- Rub the spice mixture over the chicken evenly for each thigh.
- Place the chicken thighs on the pan with the skin side up. Leave a little space between each piece.
- Cook chicken for 30-40 minutes, using the convection or air fryer setting if you have it. If you don’t have a convection or air fryer setting the chicken may take an extra few minutes to come to temperature. If your chicken thighs are boneless start checking them for doneness after about 25 minutes.
- Once the chicken thighs reaches an internal temperature of 165, the chicken thighs are fully cooked and the juices will no longer be pink. (A meat thermometer is handy to check the temperature inside in the thickest part of the chicken) Use any juices on the pan to baste each piece generously. If your chicken didn’t come out brown enough, you can place it under the broiler for a minute or two or until golden brown.
Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs In This Recipe?
Yes boneless chicken thighs can be used in this recipe, and they tend to cook up a little faster. Start checking boneless chicken thighs after 25 minutes, they should be done in 25-30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the meat to check that the temperature reaches at least 165 degrees F.
While I do enjoy boneless chicken thighs, I have found bone in chicken thighs to have even more flavor. If you use skinless chicken thighs their is no skin to get crispy.
Why Doesn’t This Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe Have Any Oil?
Chicken thighs are a darker meat which have more fat in them. That extra fat in the meat is what makes it juicy chicken inside, with no extra oil is needed for this recipe.
Can You Make This Ranch Chicken Thigh Recipe In The Air Fryer?
Yes you can absolutely cook these chicken thighs in the air fryer. Since I encourage using an air fryer or convection oven in the recipe you can follow the recipe as is with one exception. I recommend that you start checking the chicken a little earlier at 25-30 minutes in the air fryer for doneness.
Some air fryers run a little hotter then others and the meat will then cook faster, and we don’t want to burn them! If the chicken starts to burn try turning the air fryer down by 25 degrees if the chicken is not yet done.
What To Serve With Ranch Chicken Thighs?
Crispy ranch chicken thighs go with so many other recipes! Likely you’ll want a side dish or two when you serve them.
Vegetable side dishes work really well. Try these ranch chicken thighs with honey roasted carrots, boiled corn, tomato and cucumber salad or a side of creamy cream cheese mashed potatoes.
For a more hearty side dishes try the macaroni and cheese with broccoli. Potatoes go especially well with this chicken and my roasted green beans and potatoes, creamy cream cheese mashed potatoes. easy mashed sweet potatoes, or even a crispy baked potato are all great choices.
The sweet buttermilk cornbread or cheddar bacon bread and easy garlic cheese drop biscuits are all great side additions too!
Is Ranch Seasoning And Ranch Dressing The Same Thing?
Ranch seasonings a packet or jar of dry spices that can make ranch dressing when mixed with other ingredients but can also be used to flavor recipes. Ranch dressing is usually a liquid in a bottle, and will work better for dipping the chicken after it’s cooked.
How Long Will Crispy Ranch Chicken Thighs Last?
Expect these crispy chicken thighs will last for about three days when stores in an airtight covered container in the refrigerator. Leftovers can be reheated in the microwave or airfryer.
Can You Freeze Crispy Ranch Chicken Thighs?
Leftover chicken can also be frozen, though I usually remove the meat from the bone as I find it easier to then throw in recipes like chicken salad, easy chicken noodle soup, calzones, or bbq chicken pizza!
More Great Chicken Recipes
Crispy Ranch Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 5 medium chicken thighs bone in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 ounce ranch seasoning dry ranch seasoning powder, 1 ounce is 2 tablespoons
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon pepper
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil sprayed lightly with cooking oil.
- Dry bone in chicken thighs with paper towels well to remove any extra moisture.
- Place the baking powder, ranch seasoning, garlic powder and pepper in a bowl. Mix the ingredients together.
- Rub the spice mix evenly over each thigh.
- Place the chicken thighs on the pan with the skin side up. Leave a little space between each piece of chicken.
- Bake for 30-40 minutes, using the convection or air fryer setting if you have it. If you don’t have a convection or air fryer setting the chicken may take an extra few minutes to come to temperature. If your chicken thighs are boneless start checking them for done ness after about 25 minutes.
- Once the chicken thighs reaches an internal temperature of 165, the chicken thighs are fully cooked and the juices will no longer be pink. (A meat thermometer is handy to check the temperature inside) Use any juices on the pan to baste each piece generously.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This?
I would love to see it! Share your thoughts with me in the comments below!
