This is a delicious way to prepare chicken! If you want white meat chicken, cook it a little longer, by about 10 minutes. This spice rub works with anything, the smoked paprika blends with the other spices to give a sweetness along with the savory. I make extra spice rub to always have on hand!
Since most of the grease drips to the bottom while cooking this is a healthier version of chicken thighs!
Mary’s Secret Spice Rub
- 1 Tablespoon Himalayan Pink Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 2 Tablespoons Onion Powder
- 3 Tablespoons Garlic Powder
- 1/2 Tablespoon ground black pepper
Mix all the above ingredients in a bowl. Set aside
Crispy Chicken Thighs
- 8 chicken thighs (skin and bone on)
- 1/3 cup olive oil
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Pat chicken with paper towels, (you want to make it as dry as possible). Place chicken in large bowl and pour olive oil over the chicken. Mix with your hand to evenly spread the olive oil on chicken.
Sprinkle about 1/2 of the spice mixture over the chicken. Using your hands, make sure all the chicken is coated with the rub.
Place chicken on sheet pan with rack (keep chicken above drippings, it crisps better). When chicken is on the sheet pan, sprinkle a little more spice rub, pat it down with your fingers into the chicken so it won’t burn (You may have leftover spice rub, save it for future use).
Place in oven and cook for 20 minutes, skin side up. After 20 minutes, turn the chicken around and cook for another 20 minutes.
Raise oven temperature to 425 degrees, turn chicken again to skin side up and cook for another 20 minutes (if large chicken thighs and 15 minutes if small chicken thighs). Serve hot with your favorite sides!
Note: make extra spice rub and use it on chicken, steaks, hamburger, and vegetables, especially hand-cut oven fries (toss in olive oil, sprinkle rub and bake along side the chicken!)
Great for hostess gifts!!
It’s About the Food! (Mary’s joy of Family Cooking) 