Baked chicken was a staple in the house when I was growing up, and I always loved it. My mom would routinely bake chicken thighs and wings and serve it up with rice and veggies or potatoes- really any side goes well with baked chicken!

Baked chicken is still a staple in my house, it’s just that now I bake it. It’s easy, delicious and way better than takeout.

Here’s what you need-

1- Skin on, dark meat chicken – I used thighs for this particular meal, but I would definitely have added some drumsticks if I had them.

2- Onion (about ¼ of an onion chopped- or more if you’d like)

3- Olive Oil ( enough to coat the chicken pieces so 4 tablespoons-ish)

4- Spices (I use salt, pepper, garlic salt, red chili powder and paprika)

Here’s how you do it-

Preheat the oven to 425. While it’s heating up prepare the chicken. You will want to use a good baking dish- I just mean one with high walls that won’t spill. I use my awesome Fiestaware 9 by 13 baking dish- I absolutely love this thing and I use it a lot!

Anyway, go ahead and drizzle your olive oil over the bottom of the baking dish- start with a few tablespoons and if that doesn’t seem like it’s enough- add a little more. After the oil is on the bottom of the pan, sprinkle the spices over the top of the oil. I bet I use 1 1/2 teaspoons of each spice- but I don’t measure exactly- plus you may like less or more, so do what you like- it’ll be great.

Now, put the chicken pieces in skin down, then flip it skin up- each piece will then be coated with the spices and oil.

Once that’s done- put your onion pieces around the chicken pieces and put the whole thing in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour.

When it comes out of the oven the skin will be spicy and crispy and the inside will be juicy and flavorful!

I whipped up some mashed potatoes to have on the side and added some kale salad from a pre-made salad kit. Check out my recipe for mashed potatoes in my post Lazy Bo Peep’s Shepherd’s Pie– I did that for this meal- without the rest of the shepherd’s pie. 

And there you have it- crowd pleasing baked chicken!

Better Than Takeout Crispy Baked Chicken

• Servings: 4-6
• Time: 1 hour(ish)
• Difficulty: easy
• Print

Yummy Baked Chicken!

Ingredients

1- Skin on, dark meat chicken – 8 piece thighs or drums.

2- Onion (about ¼ of an onion chopped- or more if you’d like)

3- Olive Oil ( enough to coat the chicken pieces so 4 tablespoons-ish)

4- Spices (I use salt, pepper, garlic salt, red chili powder and paprika)

Directions

1-Preheat the oven to 425.

2- Drizzle your olive oil over the bottom of the baking dish- start with a few tablespoons and if that doesn’t seem like it’s enough- add a little more.

3- Sprinkle the spices (1 1/2 teaspoons of each- or to taste) over the top of the oil.

4- Now, put the chicken pieces in skin down, then flip it skin up- each piece will then be coated with the spices and oil.

5- Put your onion pieces around the chicken.

6- Put the whole thing in the oven for 45 minutes to an hour.

7- Serve with your choice of sides, and enjoy!