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Home Β» Main Course Β» Juicy Toaster Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

November 6, 2022 (last updated January 6, 2023)

Juicy Toaster Oven Baked Chicken Thighs

5 from 2 reviews
Janet Harlow
Leave a Comment Jump to Recipe

These chicken thighs bake in the toaster oven and have a delicious, golden brown and crispy skin. All the how to’s and cooking times are included in this super simple, 2 ingredient recipe.

Be sure to check out more of my toaster oven recipes including my crispy toaster oven chicken wings, 14 minute toaster oven garlic bread and my toaster oven roasted potatoes with lemon and herbs.

How Long to Cook Chicken in a Toaster Oven

The cooking time in a toaster oven is similar to conventional oven baking and roasting. Depending on the size of the chicken thighs, the cooking time will vary between 35 and 45 minutes. In order to determine if the chicken is fully cooked, I use an instant read thermometer. Chicken is safe to eat at a minimum of 165Β°F. This is a good instant read thermometer to have with your kitchen tools.

The real key is the cooking temperature. Because the toaster oven heat is a little more intense, it’s best to lower the temperature a little bit. In a conventional oven I would cook as high as 500Β°F. My toaster oven only goes as high as 450Β°F which works well.

overhead view of white baking dish with toaster oven chicken thighs. Blue napkin, fork and knife on left.

Why use the Toaster Oven?

The toaster is such a great tool when you’re cooking for two. A big conventional oven takes a long time to preheat and is often way bigger than needed for small portions.

More benefits of toaster oven cooking:

  • The heat in a toaster oven is a bit more intense because the food is closer to the heating elements. This means that the chicken will brown nicely.
  • The toaster oven preheats in less than 5 minutes which means less electricity. My conventional oven takes at least 20-25 minutes to heat to 400Β°F. And because the toaster oven is running for a shorter time it creates less heat. I use my toaster oven exclusively during the summer to avoid heating up the kitchen.
Close up of white plate with juicy toaster oven chicken thighs with chive garnish, white rice and asparagus. Round wood board underneath with fork and knife on left and blue napkin on right.

Ingredients

The list of ingredients is incredibly simple. This recipe is more about the cooking method which lets the crispy skin and juicy thigh meat be the stars.

Chicken thighs – I use bone-in, skin-on thighs because the flavor is far superior to boneless skinless. The crispy skin created in this recipe is irresistible. The skin also keeps the meat juicy, tender and flavorful.

Salt has a magical ability to make your taste buds sense other flavors even better. It enhances just about everything it touches. The key with salt is to add it before cooking so that it penetrates the surface and flavors the food beyond the outside.

Before cooking the chicken you’ll sprinkle a light coating of salt on the skin side and bottom. And even better, if you have some time, refrigerate it (with the salt on) for at least an hour or as long as overnight. I promise, the wait is worth it!

White plate with juicy toaster oven chicken thighs with chive garnish, white rice and asparagus. Round wood board underneath with fork and knife on left and blue napkin on right. Toaster oven in back. White background.
overhead view of white baking dish with toaster oven chicken thighs. Blue napkin, fork and knife on left.

Juicy Toaster Oven Baked Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin

Author: Janet Harlow
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Servings: 4 thighs
These chicken thighs bake in the toaster oven and have a delicious, golden brown and crispy skin. All the how to and cooking times are included in this super simple recipe.
5 from 2 reviews
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Cook Time 38 minutes mins

Recommended Products

  • Breville Toaster Oven
  • Toaster Oven Pan
  • Maverick Instant Read Thermometer

Ingredients
  

  • 4 (about 1Β½ lbs) bone in, skin on chicken thighs1
  • salt, Diamond Crystal kosher salt recommended

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the toaster oven to 450Β°F and line a pan with foil and parchment. The parchment is optional but will help browning and prevent sticking. The foil will make clean up much easier.
    NOTE: A sheet pan or a pan with low sides is best.
    Overhead view of sheet pand lined with foil and parchment paper. Bowl with salt in upper right and bowl of uncooked chicken wings partially visible in upper left.
  • Use scissors or a sharp knife to remove any excess skin or fat from the thighs.
    Chicken thighs on sheet pan. Scissors trimming skin.
  • Place the chicken bottom side up on the pan and sprinkle with salt.
    Chicken thighs on sheet pan bottom side up being sprinkled with salt.
  • Flip them over and coat the skin side with salt. Spread them out as much as the pan allows. This will help brown the skin better.
  • If you have some time, refrigerate it (with the salt on) for at least an hour or as long as overnight. I promise, the wait is worth it! The salt penetrates through to the meat and makes it super flavorful.
  • Bake for 15 minutes skin side up.
    Pan with chicken thighs in toaster oven.
  • ο»ΏThen flip and bake 15 minutes more.
    Chicken thighs on pan in toaster oven. Tongs turning one over.
  • Flip them back to skin side up and bake 5 minutes more or until a thermometer with the probe in the thickest part reads at least 165Β°F.2 The thermometer probe should not touch the bone.
    NOTE: Chicken thighs are much more forgiving of overcooking. They will stay juicy even when cooked over 190Β°F.
    Chicken thighs on pan in toaster oven. Tongs turning one over.
  • If the skin has not sufficiently browned, you can turn the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes. Keep a close eye on it when broiling!

Notes

  1. The number of thighs that you can bake at one time will depend on the size of the pan that fits in your toaster oven. This recipe was tested with the Breville Mini Smart Toaster oven and an 8×10 inch sheet pan. Whichever size pan you use, it is best to have at least 1/2 inch of space between the thighs.
  2. Chicken is safe to eat at a minimum of 165Β°F.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how it was! Tag @chefjanetk on Instagram.
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Posted In: Main Course · Tagged: chicken

Comments

  1. Delores Alexander says

    February 26, 2023 at 12:06 pm

    This information helps me a lot. I’m a beginner using the toaster oven. Thanks a lot.

    Reply
  2. kelly wilson says

    April 1, 2023 at 6:56 pm

    These came out crispy on top and the meat was tender and juicy. I paired them with oven roasted broccoli & Brussels sprouts and served over lentils. I did the lentils with yellow onions and chicken stock. A total hit with the spouse – who doesn’t like sprouts or broccoli. πŸ₯°

    Reply
    • Janet Harlow says

      April 2, 2023 at 12:40 pm

      Great!! So glad you & your husband enjoyed.

      Reply
      • Toni Darrah says

        May 3, 2023 at 4:53 am

        Can you use shake and bake

        Reply
        • Janet Harlow says

          May 3, 2023 at 7:13 am

          Yes, absolutely!

          Reply
  3. Yuby says

    May 17, 2023 at 11:19 am

    When we were out of gas, the toaster is all we had. And so this is a live saver. So thank you so much for sharing this recipe!

    Reply
    • Janet Harlow says

      May 18, 2023 at 5:35 pm

      Great! So glad to be of assistance. It’s also great on hot days when you don’t want to use a big oven. On crazy hot days, I’ve even been known to put the toaster oven on a table outside.

      Reply
  4. Ava Small says

    June 16, 2023 at 4:37 pm

    5 stars
    Oh Janet this chicken recipe was the best I have tried in months.

    Reply
    • Janet Harlow says

      June 16, 2023 at 5:03 pm

      Great! Thanks so much for letting me know!

      Reply
  5. Paul says

    September 9, 2023 at 3:22 pm

    This looks amazing. The only oven I have is a toaster oven. My only concern with the chicken is the pan. What about grease drippings? Is the toaster oven pan deep enough?

    Reply
    • Janet Harlow says

      September 9, 2023 at 4:05 pm

      The toaster oven pan is deep enough for the drippings. I use a pan that is only 1″ deep. Just be sure to trim any visible excess fat or skin before cooking. Enjoy!

      Reply
      • Paul says

        September 9, 2023 at 4:31 pm

        Thanks! Can’t wait to try this!

        Reply
  6. Junelle Steiner says

    September 12, 2023 at 10:30 am

    5 stars
    Turned out perfect! Simple and delicious. Thanks for sharing this recipe. Will use again πŸ™‚ ~Junelle

    Reply

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