Spicy Mediterranean chicken thighs is the perfect recipe when you’re craving something HOT! Delicious juicy chicken that is easy to prepare in one pan with just 2 mins prep! For best results, marinate the chicken with the spices for 30 minutes to an hour (or overnight), then bake for 40 minutes!
These chicken thighs are great when cooked in the oven, however, they can also be grilled on the BBQ.
Comfort Food | Winter | One-Pot
Table of contents:
How to Make Spicy Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 lb.(1kg) skinless chicken thighs (8 pieces)
- 1 large onion, cut into thin half rounds
- 1-2 Tbsp hot Chili pepper flakes (add more for extra spicy)
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder (optional)
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper ( to taste)
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- Lemon juice from 1 lemon (freshly squeezed)
- 4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Equipment
- 1 large oven-safe Casserole Dish or baking tray
- Cooking tongs
- Wooden Cutting Board
- Knife
- Plastic Food Wrap
Instructions:
Step 1 – Marinate chicken thighs
- Place all the ingredients into an oven-safe casserole dish or baking tray. Mix well so the chicken and onion is evenly coated with spices, and then cover with some kitchen wrap.
- Marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 2 – Bake chicken thighs
- Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
- Bake for 40 minutes or until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C (you can use a meat thermometer to check).
Step 3 – Serve
- Season to taste with some salt. If you want your chicken spicier, add a light dusting of cayenne pepper.
Cooking Tips and FAQs:
Do I Need to Marinate the Chicken First?
We highly recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Combining spices with lemon juice and olive oil allows the spices and seasoning to soak into the chicken, giving you more flavor.
How can I tell when the chicken is cooked?
Use a meat thermometer to check. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken thighs should reach a temperature of 165°F/74°C.
Can skinless or boneless chicken thighs be used instead?
Absolutely. Both work great, just be aware that you should reduce the cooking time when using boneless chicken thighs. Around 30 minutes in the oven should do it, but always use a meat thermometer to check.
Can other chicken cuts be used with this recipe?
Chicken drumsticks or chicken quarters will also work great for this recipe and the cooking time will remain around the same 8always use a meat thermometer to check the chicken is done).
Chicken wings and drumettes are also a good option, just adjust the cooking time to suit (wings take less time to cook).
Chicken breast meat also works, however, whole breasts tend to dry out in the oven so it is best to cut them into small strips (around 1 inch thick) or butterfly the breast meat.
How spicy is this recipe?
The level of spiciness is up to the type of chili used, which can be adjusted to suit personal taste. We used dried jalapeno chilies that give off a mild level of heat. See more information below on the heat of various chili varieties.
How to make this chicken thigh recipe extra spicy!
This is a recipe for people who love spice with their food. It’s a simple but very effective recipe that’s sure to get your brow sweating and your lips burning! This recipe is HOT! Spicy, all of those things! If you don’t enjoy hot food, then this recipe is not for you!
Of course, how hot and spicy you like your chicken really is a personal choice, and this recipe is made to offer a good amount of layered heat from different spices (Cayenne, chili flakes, and Smoked paprika). This recipe will give a good amount of heat, but won’t be too overwhelming, allowing the juicy flavors of the baked chicken thighs to shine through.
If you want to make an extra spicy version of this recipe, consider using extra fresh chili — here are a few suggestions with the associated heat values:
Jalapeño pepper
Typically ranges from 2,500 to 8,000 SHU, considered mild to moderately spicy
Birdseye chili
They typically have a Scoville Heat Unit (SHU) rating of 50,000 to 100,000. Most will agree they offer a good spicy kick that lingers.
For Those That Like it Really HOT!
This next section is really for those who are committed to hot and spicy food, and any of the chili peppers listed below are incredibly hot. Use with caution!
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia): Native to India, the Ghost Pepper averages around 1,041,427 SHU, but some individual peppers have been tested at over 1,500,000 SHU.
Carolina Reaper: The Carolina Reaper is the holder of the Guinness World Record for being the world’s hottest chili pepper. It averages around 1,641,183 SHU but can exceed 2,200,000 SHU.
Trinidad Moruga Scorpion: Native to Trinidad and Tobago, this pepper can range from 1,200,000 to 2,009,231 SHU.
Serving Suggestions
For a balanced meal, serve your spicy Mediterranean chicken thighs on a bed of steamed rice or cous cous, and with your favorite leafy greens or steamed veg. Another great option is to include spicy Mediterranean chicken as part of a rice or veggie bowl.
- Mediterranean Yellow Rice
- Baked Mediterranean Rice
- Mediterranean Roasted Veggie Bowls
- Tabbouleh Salad Recipe: Light, Refreshing, and Delicious
- Couscous (Different Types and How to Cook it in 5 Minutes)
- Moroccan Couscous With Roasted Veg And Tahini Dressing
For perfect fluffy steamed rice, check out this article on how to cook rice in the microwave in 15 minutes!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size: 150g (thighs only) | |
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 232 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 12.9g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat 2.3g | 12% |
| Cholesterol 119mg | 40% |
| Sodium 717mg | 31% |
| Total Carbohydrate 1.7g | 1% |
| Dietary Fiber 0.5g | 2% |
| Total Sugars 0.4g | |
| Protein 27.9g | |
| Vitamin D 0mcg | 0% |
| Calcium 36mg | 3% |
| Iron 2mg | 10% |
| Potassium 47mg | 1% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calorie a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
Spicy Mediterranean Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- 1 large oven-safe Casserole Dish or baking tray
- Cooking tongs
- Wooden Cutting Board
- Knife
- Plastic food wrap
Ingredients
- 2 lb. 1kg skinless chicken thighs (8 pieces)
- 1 large onion cut into thin half rounds
- 1-2 Tbsp hot Chili pepper flakes add more for extra spicy
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 1 tsp Garlic Powder optional
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- Lemon juice from 1 lemon freshly squeezed
- 4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
Step 1 – Marinate chicken thighs
- Place all the ingredients into an oven-safe casserole dish or baking tray. Mix well so the chicken and onion is evenly coated with spices, and then cover with some kitchen wrap.2 lb., 1 large onion, 1-2 Tbsp hot Chili pepper flakes, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 tsp Cayenne Pepper, 1 tsp Garlic Powder, Salt, Black pepper, 1 tsp Smoked Paprika, Lemon juice from 1 lemon, 4 tablespoons of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Marinate in the fridge for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Step 2 – Bake chicken thighs
- Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
- Bake for 40 minutes or until your chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/74°C (you can use a meat thermometer to check).
Step 3 – Serve
- Season to taste with some salt. If you want your chicken spicier, add a light dusting of cayenne pepper.
Video
Notes
Cooking Tips and FAQs:
Do I Need to Marinate the Chicken First? We highly recommend marinating the chicken for at least 30 minutes to an hour before cooking. Combining spices with lemon juice and olive oil allows the spices and seasoning to soak into the chicken, giving you more flavor. How can I tell when the chicken is cooked? Use a meat thermometer to check. The internal temperature of the thickest part of the chicken thighs should reach a temperature of 165°F/74°C. Can skinless or boneless chicken thighs be used instead? Absolutely. Both work great, just be aware that you should reduce the cooking time when using boneless chicken thighs. Around 30 minutes in the oven should do it, but always use a meat thermometer to check. Can other chicken cuts be used with this recipe? Chicken drumsticks or chicken quarters will also work great for this recipe and the cooking time will remain around the same 8always use a meat thermometer to check the chicken is done). Chicken wings and drumettes are also a good option, just adjust the cooking time to suit (wings take less time to cook). Chicken breast meat also works, however, whole breasts tend to dry out in the oven so it is best to cut them into small strips (around 1 inch thick) or butterfly the breast meat. How spicy is this recipe? The level of spiciness is up to the type of chili used, which can be adjusted to suit personal taste. We used dried jalapeno chilies that give off a mild level of heat. See more information below on the heat of various chili varieties.
