Timing guide
How Long to Bake Chicken Thighs
Baking times for bone-in and boneless chicken thighs, and the temperature that makes them tender rather than tough.
Times by cut
At 400°F (200°C), bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs take about 35 to 45 minutes, while boneless, skinless thighs take about 20 to 30. Thighs are forgiving, but time still depends on their size and your oven.
Poultry is safe at 165°F, but thighs are dark meat with more connective tissue, so they taste more tender and less rubbery when taken a little further, around 175°F to 185°F. Use a thermometer in the thickest part, avoiding the bone.
- Bone-in, skin-on: about 35–45 minutes at 400°F.
- Boneless, skinless: about 20–30 minutes at 400°F.
- Safe at 165°F; most tender around 175–185°F.
For crisp skin
Pat the skin dry, rub it with a little oil and salt, and lay the thighs skin-side up with space between them so they roast rather than steam. A few minutes under the broiler at the end deepens the color and crisps the skin.
Put the method into practice
Recipes that use the techniques in this guide.
Food safety & sources
Cook and store with confidence
The cooking temperatures and storage guidance in our recipes and guides follow official U.S. government food-safety standards. Always confirm doneness with a food thermometer rather than by color or time alone.
- Safe minimum internal temperatures — U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, FoodSafety.gov
- Cold food storage chart — U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, FoodSafety.gov