Paprika Baked Chicken Thighs {Paprika Spice Blend} (2024)

Paprika Baked Chicken Thighs are Easy, Succulent, Skinless, Bone-in Chicken Thighs that are oven-baked with a special blend of spices infused with Smoked Paprika and cayenne pepper. This special Paprika Spice Blend is great on any grilled meats, including chicken breasts, beef, and kabobs.

Why make your own Chicken Thigh Seasoning

Buying pre-made seasoning blends for years, I have never once stopped to really read the ingredient list. I just had a couple of favorite ones and was happy to use them. The only thing that was really inconvenient about using the pre-made seasoning spices is that all the ones I used had salt as the main ingredient, which meant that I never really knew how much to use in my recipes.

I knew the general amount of salt the dish required, but mixed with spices I had no idea how much exactly to use, so every once in a while I would have either under-seasoned or over-seasoned meat.

One day when trying to pick a new spice blend, I started reading the labels to see how one was different from the other and realized that their first ingredient on the list is salt.

Since ingredients are listed by the amount used, with the first being the most prevalent one, I realized that I am mostly paying for salt. This experience set me on a mission to create my own spice blend.

Having a grill now means that I make grilled chicken pretty often. It also gives me lots of opportunities to try different amounts of spices in my spice blend to see which one is the best! FINALLY! I have found the one I absolutely love and I am so excited to share it with you!

Uses for this Best Seasoning for Chicken

I use this spice blend for all my grilled meats, baked chicken thighs,and breast, as well as thebaked beef recipe,salmonand evenpotatoes. This is the best seasoning for chicken as it has a good kick of spiciness from the cayenne pepper and a ton of flavor. If you’re not into spicy, feel free to cut the amount of cayenne and black pepper to make this recipe YOUR own baked chicken seasoning.

Making the Chicken Thighs with this Paprika Spice Blend gives them a beautiful caramelizedcolor. This is especially important if you’re using skinless chicken thighs or chicken breasts.

The chicken seasoning replaces the caramelized look with its paprika color, which otherwise would only be possible if you had the skin on. Not having the skin though, makes these Paprika Baked Chicken Thighs perfect for your clean eating meal prep.

Also, they reheat very well and make very good leftovers for lunch.

With this chicken thigh seasoning, you can use as much or as little as you wish, without having to worry about oversalting the meat. That’s the most favorite thing I enjoy about homemade seasoning blends!

How to Bake Chicken in the Oven?

First, toss the chicken with seasoning. Then, arrange it in a baking dish and bake the chicken in the oven, on the middle rack at 450Fdegrees for about 45-55 minutes for dark meat (chicken thighs, chicken drums, chicken wings) and about 30 minutes for chicken breast. If the chicken juices run clear when pierced, the chicken is cooked.

Can I grill the chicken instead of baking?

Sure, can! This recipe makes BOMB Grilled Chicken Thighs. For grilling, after tossing the chicken with spices, grill at 300 until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs registers 160F degrees. You’re welcome 😉

Can I use this Paprika Spice Blend with Bone-in, Skin-on chicken thighs?

Yes! Just increase the baking time by about 10 minutes or until the internal temperature registers at 165F.

Also, checkTHIS POSTwhich answers many questions about baking chicken thighs.

How to serve Paprika Baked Chicken?

I served these baked thighs with cooked brown rice, but anything from cooked white rice,mashed potatoes, to a side salad will work here.

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Choose your SIDE to serve this Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe with HERE.