These Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs are tender, juicy, and loaded with zesty flavor. Made with just a few simple ingredients, this easy dish is perfect for a delicious weeknight meal that’s sure to become a new family favorite.
Baked Ranch Chicken Recipe
These baked chicken thighs are seasoned with a savory blend of herbs and spices to give them that delicious, classic ranch flavor. The combination of garlic powder, onion powder, and dry ranch seasoning mix creates mouthwatering flavors that pair beautifully with the tender and juicy chicken.
Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe requires just 5 minutes of prep. Simply season, bake and brush with a bit of ranch seasoning mix for extra flavor. The thighs cook to crispy perfection in the oven, giving every bite an explosion of flavors and textures. Serve them with a side of veggies, mashed potatoes, or a simple salad for a meal even your pickiest eaters will devour.
For other amazing chicken thigh recipes, make sure to try this Slow Cooker Pickle Chicken and these Sheet Pan Chicken Thighs.
Why We Love This Recipe
- Easy dinner idea– It’s perfect for busy weeknights because it only takes about 5 minutes to prep for the oven.
- Juicy meat– The bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs ensure that every bite is tender and juicy.
- Bursting with flavor– The Ranch seasoning gives ordinary chicken tons of zesty flavors.
Ingredients to Make This Recipe
- Chicken – We used bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for this recipe.
- Salt and black pepper – Basic seasonings to enhance the natural flavors of the chicken.
- Garlic powder – Adds a rich, savory depth to the seasoning blend.
- Onion powder – Enhances the flavors or the other seasonings.
- Extra virgin olive oil – Used for drizzling over the chicken to help crisp the skin.
- Dry ranch seasoning mix – Store-bought packet of Ranch dressing mix or this Homemade Ranch Seasoning, for a zesty, tangy coating.
- Chopped parsley for garnish – Adds a fresh pop of color and flavor.
How to Make Ranch Baked Chicken Thighs
Step One: Season the Chicken
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees f and prepare your baking dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the chicken thighs on the prepared baking sheet, and pat them dry with paper towels. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil over the chicken.
- Mix the salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder, then evenly coat the tops of the thighs.
Step Two: Cook the Thighs
- Place the sheet pan of chicken in your preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, or until the tops begin to crisp or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
Step Three: Brush with Ranch Mixture
- While the chicken is cooking, mix the remaining olive oil with half of dry ranch salad dressing mix.
- Remove the thighs from the oven and using a silicone brush, coat the top of the chicken with the ranch seasoning mixture.
Step 4: Crisp Up The Chicken Skin and Serve
- Continue cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the thighs are golden brown and crispy. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving.
Tip: To make the skin extra crispy, broil for the last 5 minutes of cooking time.
How to Store Leftover Ranch Chicken
- Fridge: Store any leftover chicken thighs in an airtight container, or wrapped in plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
- Freezer: To freeze, place the cooked chicken thighs in a freezer-safe container or bag and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
Baked Ranch Chicken Thighs Add-ins and Variations
- Pork chops- Swap out the chicken thighs for bone-in pork chops for a different protein option that works perfectly with the same seasoning blend.
- Cheddar cheese- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese on top of the chicken thighs during the last few minutes of baking for a cheesy twist.
- Parmesan crusted– Add a layer of grated parmesan cheese mixed with breadcrumbs to the top of the chicken for a crispy, cheesy crust.
- Spicy ranch– Mix some cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes into the ranch seasoning for a spicy kick.
- Herb blend– Use a combination of dried herbs such as thyme, rosemary, and oregano instead of the Ranch seasoning for a different flavor profile.
- BBQ ranch- Brush the chicken thighs with a mixture of ranch seasoning and your favorite barbecue sauce for a tangy and smoky flavor.
- Honey mustard ranch- Combine honey and mustard with the ranch seasoning mix for a sweet and tangy glaze.
- Lemon herb– Add freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest to the seasoning blend for a bright and zesty flavor.
- Bacon wrapped– Wrap each chicken thigh in a slice of bacon before baking for added flavor and crispiness.
What Side Dish Goes with Chicken Thigh Recipes
This chicken goes well with a simple garden salad, green beans, fluffy rice, and mashed potatoes. If you’re looking for other delicious side dish options, here are some of my favorites:
- Scalloped Pineapple Casserole
- Funeral Potatoes
- Cornbread Casserole
- Jiffy Corn Casserole
- Brown Sugar Glazed Carrots
- Best Baked Beans
Can I Make These Thighs in the Air Fryer?
Sure! You can easily adapt these chicken thighs for the air fryer. Begin by seasoning the thighs with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and a drizzle of olive oil. Preheat your air fryer to 400°F and place the seasoned thighs in the basket, making sure they’re in a single layer.
Cook for about 10 minutes, then flip them over and brush with more olive oil if needed. Sprinkle generously with the ranch seasoning mix and continue cooking for an additional 10-12 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F and the skin is crispy.
How Can I Tell if My Thighs Are Done?
Because the cooking time can vary, the best way to tell if the chicken is done is to check the internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken meat thermometer. It should be 165 degrees to be considered safe to eat.
Can I Use Boneless Chicken Thighs?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs for this recipe! Boneless thighs will cook a bit faster than bone-in thighs, so you may need to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
More Great Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Tetrazzini
- Crack Chicken Soup
- Chinese Chicken Salad
- Chicken Tortilla Soup
- Homemade Chicken and Dumplings
- Neiman Marcus Salad
- Chicken Enchiladas
- Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Southwest Chicken
- Copycat Chick-fil-a Chicken
Ranch Baked Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs bone in and with skin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- 3 Tbsp olive oil divided
- 1 ounce dry ranch seasoning mix 1 packet
- chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and prepare your baking dish by spraying with non-stick cooking spray.
- Place the chicken thighs on the baking sheet. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the chicken.6 chicken thighs
- Mix together the salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder then evenly coat the tops of the thighs.1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, ½ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder
- Cook for 20-25 minutes or until the tops begin to crisp.
- While the chicken is cooking, mix the remaining olive oil with half of the ranch seasoning packet.3 Tbsp olive oil, 1 ounce dry ranch seasoning mix
- Remove the thighs from the oven and using a silicone brush, coat the tops with the ranch mixture.
- Continue cooking for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the thighs are golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before serving.chopped parsley
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