Craving a delicious dinner without the hassle? These Super Easy One-Pan Chicken Thighs deliver bold flavor with barely any effort—just toss, season, and bake. With only 2 minutes of prep and simple pantry staples, this weeknight hero recipe gives you juicy, tender chicken and caramelized veggies in under 45 minutes.
Minimal cleanup, maximum Mediterranean flavor—your new go-to weeknight dinner recipe starts right here. Let’s go!home cooking straight to your table.
Spanish | Main | Chicken | Onion | One Pan
Table of contents:
How to Make Super Easy One-Pan Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 onions, cut into wedges
- Garlic, around 1 head
- 4-6 skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp Sweet Paprika
- ½ tsp Salt
- Black pepper to taste
- A few sprig of dried thyme (around 1 tsp)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Equipment
- Large baking tray or Oven-Safe Casserole Dish
- Wooden Cutting Board
- Chef Knife
- Cooking tongs
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
- Add the onion, garlic, and chicken thighs to a baking tray
- Season with paprika, salt and pepper
- Add dried thyme and drizzle with olive oil
- Mix and bake for 40 minutes
- Serve!
Cooking tips:
- Ensure the oven is preheated before adding the chicken to the oven. Bake on the middle shelf for best results.
- Use a Meat thermometer to check your chicken is cooked. Ensure the thickest part of the chicken thigh has reached an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F.
- Don’t overcrowd the tray – Give the ingredients space to roast rather than steam. Spread everything in a single layer.
- Use skinless chicken thighs for a healthier option.
- We use a whole head of garlic (around 10 cloves). If you love garlic, this will be plenty, however it can be scaled back to taste as required.
- Sweet or smoked paprika will both work fine for this recipe.
- Swap in veggies that love roasting – Potatoes, carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers all work well and make the dish even heartier.
Skinless Chicken Thighs VS Skin on Thighs
Both skinless or skin-on chicken thighs work great for this recipe, however, there is a clear winner if you’re looking for a healthier option.
On average, the amount of fat on chicken thighs reduces by around half (50-60%) if you remove the skin. According to the Chicken Farmers of Canada, skin-on thighs have ~19 g fat per reference amount, while skinless thighs have ~8 g.
Serving Suggestions
1. Mediterranean Yellow Rice or orzo
The tray juices act like a built-in sauce.
2. With a simple side salad
A crisp green salad or a Mediterranean Bean Salad with lemon vinaigrette balances the richness of the chicken.
3. Mediterranean-style
Serve with couscous, a dollop of Mediterranean hummus, olives, or a delicious creamy Greek tzatziki.
4. Garlic bread or crusty sourdough
Perfect for soaking up the roasted onion-garlic goodness.
5. Add a bright finish
A squeeze of lemon or a sprinkle of fresh herbs (parsley, basil, or thyme) before serving lifts the whole dish.6. Turn leftovers into lunch
Shred the chicken and toss with the roasted onions in a wrap, salad, or grain bowl.
Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
| Nutrient | Amount | %DV |
| Calories | ~295 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 15 g | 19% |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g | 15% |
| Cholesterol | 135 mg | 45% |
| Sodium | 380 mg | 17% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 10 g | 4% |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g | 7% |
| Total Sugars | 4 g | — |
| Protein | 29 g | 58% |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 2% |
| Calcium | 40 mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1.4 mg | 8% |
| Potassium | 410 mg | 9% |
Assumptions Used
- 4 skinless chicken thighs (~110 g each before cooking)
- 2 onions, 1 head garlic
- 1.5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil total
- Standard values for spices (negligible calories)
Super Easy One-Pan Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Large baking tray or Oven-Safe Casserole Dish
- Wooden Cutting Board
- Chef Knife
- Cooking tongs
Ingredients
- 2 onions cut into wedges
- Garlic around 1 head
- 4-6 skinless chicken thighs
- 1 tsp Sweet Paprika
- ½ tsp Salt
- Black pepper to taste
- A few sprig of dried thyme around 1 tsp
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C / 400°F
- Add the onion, garlic, and chicken thighs to a baking tray2 onions, Garlic, 4-6 skinless chicken thighs
- Season with paprika, salt and pepper1 tsp Sweet Paprika, ½ tsp Salt, Black pepper to taste
- Add dried thyme and drizzle with olive oilA few sprig of dried thyme, Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- Mix and bake for 40 minutes
- Serve!
Video
Notes
Cooking tips:
- Ensure the oven is preheated before adding the chicken to the oven. Bake on the middle shelf for best results.
- Use a Meat thermometer to check your chicken is cooked. Ensure the thickest part of the chicken thigh has reached an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F.
- Don’t overcrowd the tray – Give the ingredients space to roast rather than steam. Spread everything in a single layer.
- Use skinless chicken thighs for a healthier option.
- We use a whole head of garlic (around 10 cloves). If you love garlic, this will be plenty, however it can be scaled back to taste as required.
- Sweet or smoked paprika will both work fine for this recipe.
- Swap in veggies that love roasting – Potatoes, carrots, zucchini, or bell peppers all work well and make the dish even heartier.
FAQs
1. Can I use bone-in chicken thighs for this recipe?
Yes! Bone-in thighs work great. Just add an extra 5–10 minutes of baking time to ensure they cook through.
2. Do I need to marinate the chicken first?
No marinade needed. The paprika, thyme, and roasted garlic add plenty of flavor with almost no prep.
3. Can I add vegetables to the pan?
Absolutely. Potatoes, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, or cherry tomatoes roast beautifully alongside the chicken.
4. How do I know when the chicken is fully cooked?
Chicken thighs are done when they reach an internal temperature of 74°C / 165°F and the juices run clear.
5. How should I store leftovers?
Store cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave.
6. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes—prep the tray up to 12 hours in advance. Keep refrigerated, then bake when ready.
7. Is this recipe gluten-free?
Yes, all ingredients used are naturally gluten-free.
