Devilishly good oven-baked chicken thighs

Name: Devilishly good oven-baked chicken thighs
Prep time: 65 min
Cook time: 65 min
Total time: 65 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 8 pieces of chicken thighs (with skin and bone, approx. 800–1 000 g); 3 tablespoons olive oil; 2 tablespoons honey; 3 tablespoons soy sauce; 4 cloves garlic (pressed); 1 teaspoon smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon salt; juice of 1 lemon; fresh parsley or cilantro; lemon slices

i-Recipe.comRecipesDevilishly good oven-baked chicken thighs

(0)

Easy to prepare
4 serving
65 minutes

Jan, 09. 01. 2026

Print recipe

They taste like they're from the grill and will fill the whole apartment with aroma

Chicken thighs are among the most popular dishes in Czech households – and it’s no wonder. They are juicy, affordable and, when prepared correctly, can taste just like they’re from the grill, even if you make them only in the oven. This recipe is built on a simple but perfectly balanced marinade that gives the meat a smoky aroma, a slightly sweet glaze and a beautifully crispy crust.

The result is hearty, bold and reliable. An ideal lunch, dinner and weekend classic that won’t disappoint even more demanding diners.

For 4 serving

Ingredients

For the chicken thighs:

8 pieces of chicken thighs (with skin and bone, approx. 800–1 000 g)
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
3 tablespoons soy sauce
4 cloves garlic (pressed)
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
juice of 1 lemon

To finish (optional):

fresh parsley or cilantro
lemon slices

Preparation procedure

In a large bowl put the olive oil, honey and soy sauce and mix. Add the pressed garlic, smoked paprika, thyme, pepper, salt and lemon juice. Mix everything thoroughly to create a smooth and fragrant marinade.
Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and place them in the marinade. Thoroughly coat the meat on all sides. Let marinate for at least 15–30 minutes, ideally several hours or overnight in the fridge. The longer the meat rests, the more pronounced the flavor will be.
Preheat the oven to 200 °C (convection 180 °C). Arrange the thighs on a baking sheet or in a roasting pan so they do not touch – only then will the skin become crispy and the meat won't steam.
Place in the oven and bake for approximately 40–45 minutes. Halfway through cooking you can turn the thighs or baste them with the drippings. Properly cooked meat has golden skin and an internal temperature of at least 75 °C.
For the last 2–3 minutes you can turn on the oven's grill function or brush the thighs with the marinade again. Be careful not to burn the honey.
After removing from the oven, let the meat rest for 5 minutes. Then sprinkle with fresh herbs and serve with lemon.

Quick info

Servings: 4

Prep time: approx. 20 minutes

Baking time: 40–45 minutes

Total time: approx. 65 minutes

Practical tips

Smoked paprika is key for that ‘grilled’ flavor
Honey creates a beautiful glaze, but it must not burn
If you want a spicy version, add chili or cayenne pepper
You can also bake the thighs on a rack with a tray underneath – they’ll be even crispier