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Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Without Oil Easy Juicy Healthy Recipe

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A healthier, easy recipe for crispy, juicy baked chicken thighs without using any oil. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners and meal prep with simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds or 700 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon aluminum-free baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt or sea salt
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • 1 teaspoon dried herbs (thyme, oregano, or rosemary, optional)
  • Zest of half a lemon (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried herbs. Add lemon zest if using.
  4. Toss the chicken thighs in the seasoning mix until evenly coated, including under the skin if possible.
  5. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet and arrange the chicken thighs skin side up, leaving space between each piece for air circulation.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, flipping once halfway through (around 20 minutes) using tongs. The skin should be golden and crispy, and the internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  7. If the skin isn’t crispy enough after 40 minutes, broil the thighs for 2-3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.

Notes

Dry the chicken skin thoroughly before seasoning to ensure crispiness. Use aluminum-free baking powder to avoid off flavors. Flip the chicken halfway through baking for even crisping. Use a meat thermometer to check for doneness at 165°F (74°C). Let the chicken rest before serving to keep it juicy. If skin isn’t crispy enough, broil briefly but watch carefully to prevent burning.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, healthy chicken recipe, no oil chicken, easy chicken dinner, juicy baked chicken, gluten-free chicken recipe

Find it online: https://merrymorsel.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs-without-oil-easy-juicy-healthy-recipe/