Gluten-Free Oven Baked Spicy Italian Herb Chicken Thighs (Boneless, Skinless)

Gluten-Free Oven-Baked Spicy Italian Herb Chicken Thighs are the perfect go-to meal for lunches and an easy weeknight dinner for the whole family. These boneless skinless chicken thighs have so much flavor, slathered in Italian herbs with a hint of spice and baked to perfection.

For years both my husband and I have meal prepped in order to make life a bit easier throughout the week. It takes the guessing out of deciding what to eat each day. Not to mention the health benefits of being able to control what we eat and how much. Remember, healthy eating doesn't have to be boring or bland.

I've been on a kick with these Spicy Italian Herbed Chicken Thighs, making them each week for easy lunches and dinners. The great thing about this recipe is that the meat tends to heat up nicely, and the thighs retain a lot of flavors. Not a dark meat fan? No worries! These spices taste great on chicken breast too.

SPICY ITALIAN HERB CHICKEN THIGH INGREDIENTS

Simple recipes are ones for the books, and this recipe is just that. Easy to make with little prep, and from start to finish in under 45 minutes! The unique spice blend has a secret ingredient: smoky paprika! Feel free to use regular paprika if you cannot find a smoky version. 

• 8- Pack Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs: You could always substitute boneless skinless chicken breast or bone-in chicken thighs. If using either of these meat options, simply brush the tops with olive oil prior to adding the seasonings.
• Italian Herbs Seasoning
• Smoky Paprika 
• Garlic Powder
• Onion Powder
• Sea Salt
• Black Pepper

HOW TO MAKE SPICY ITALIAN HERB CHICKEN THIGHS

Meal planning is made easy with simple ingredients, only 10 minutes of prep, and minimal cooking time needed.

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large sheet pan with non-stick tin foil or parchment paper, and set it aside.
2. Open the package of chicken meat and pat down each side with a paper towel. Then place each piece of chicken onto the sheet pan about an inch apart.
3. In a small bowl, add all of the seasonings. Stir until well combined. With your fingertips, carefully sprinkle the tops of the chicken thighs with the seasoning mixture until fully coated. Gently pat down each thigh to ensure the seasonings will stick. Repeat until all the seasoning is used.
4. Place the thighs in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. The tops of the chicken should be a nice golden brown and the juices should run clear. Depending on the cut of chicken the timing may need to be adjusted, therefore a meat thermometer may come in handy.
5. Remove the pan from the oven and allow the tender chicken thighs to rest for 5 minutes. Serve.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN THIGHS?

My favorite way to serve these juicy chicken thighs is with sweet potatoes and green beans, but the flavors are versatile enough to be served with almost any starch or favorite vegetable. Here are some other family favorite sides to serve:

• Gluten-Free Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
• Honey Roasted Carrots (Gluten-Free)
• Mashed Potatoes
• Cauliflower Rice
• Roasted Vegetables

IS DARK MEAT HEALTHY?

Darker meat gets a bad rep for being unhealthy, but like anything else you want to make sure you have it in moderation. Most of the unhealthy fat comes from the skin and not the dark meat itself. Dark meat has much more flavor than breast meat in my opinion and is a great source of protein. You could always make this recipe using boneless skinless chicken breasts.

WHAT TEMPERATURE SHOULD CHICKEN THIGHS BE COOKED AT?

Bake your chicken thighs between 350 and 400 degrees Farenheight, depending on whether they are boneless, bone-in, skinless, or with the skin.

The internal temperature should reach 165° F, read with a meat thermometer. When cooking with chicken breast you may need to adjust the time a little bit, maybe just 5 minutes. Meats with a lower fat content do not take as long to cook.

FOR MORE TASTY CHICKEN RECIPES AND SIDES, CHECK OUT THE LINKS BELOW:

• Gluten-Free Chicken Lettuce Wraps (Dairy-Free)
• Gluten-Free Orange Chicken (Dairy-Free)
• Honey Roasted Carrots (Gluten-Free)
• Roasted Potatoes