🍗 Oven Baked Chicken
🥣 Ingredients
- 2–3 lbs chicken (thighs, drumsticks, or breasts)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika (smoked if you have it)
- 1/2 tsp dried thyme or Italian seasoning
🔄 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
- Set to 400°F
- Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment
2. Season Chicken
- Pat chicken dry (helps crisp the skin)
- Rub with olive oil
- Mix all seasonings and coat evenly
3. Bake
- Arrange chicken skin-side up (if applicable)
- Bake:
- Thighs/Drumsticks: 35–45 minutes
- Breasts: 20–30 minutes
4. Check Doneness
- Internal temp should hit 165°F
- Juices should run clear
5. Optional Crisp Finish 🔥
- Broil for 2–4 minutes for a golden, crispy top
🍽️ Serve With
- Roasted veggies
- Rice or mashed potatoes
- Side salad
💡 Pro Tips
- Don’t overcrowd the pan—airflow = better browning
- Use a rack on the tray for extra crispiness
- Let it rest 5 minutes before cutting
🔄 Flavor Variations
🍋 Lemon Garlic
- Add lemon juice + zest + extra garlic
🌶️ Spicy
- Add cayenne or chili flakes
🍯 Honey Garlic
- Brush with honey + garlic + soy sauce in last 10 minutes
🧄 Herb Butter
- Melt butter with garlic + herbs and baste halfway through