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Raw Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs Prepped for Baking: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs are one of the easiest cuts of chicken to prepare for a flavorful oven-baked meal. Unlike chicken breasts, thighs contain a little more natural fat, which helps them stay tender and juicy during baking. With a few simple preparation steps, raw chicken thighs can be seasoned, arranged, and ready for the oven in minutes.

This method focuses on properly preparing the chicken before baking, while keeping the seasoning simple enough to pair with almost any side dish.

Ingredients

1½ to 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
¾ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme, optional
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, optional

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

Remove the chicken thighs from their packaging and place them on a clean cutting board or plate.

If the thighs contain large pieces of excess fat, loose skin, or tough connective tissue, trim them with a clean pair of kitchen scissors or a sharp knife. You do not need to remove every bit of fat because some fat helps keep the meat moist while it bakes.

Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry with paper towels. Removing excess surface moisture helps the seasoning stick better and encourages better browning in the oven.

Discard the used paper towels immediately and wash your hands, cutting board, utensils, and any surfaces that came into contact with the raw chicken.

Step 2: Make the Seasoning Mixture

In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, paprika, onion powder, oregano, salt, black pepper, and thyme if using.

Mix everything together until the spices are evenly distributed.

This combination creates a savory, mildly smoky seasoning that works well with chicken thighs without overpowering their natural flavor.

Step 3: Coat the Chicken

Place the dried chicken thighs in a large bowl.

Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and gently turn the pieces until they are lightly coated. Sprinkle the seasoning mixture over the thighs and toss again until the seasoning covers all sides.

For an extra fresh flavor, add a small amount of lemon juice. Avoid adding too much liquid because heavily wet chicken can make it harder to achieve a nicely browned exterior.