The Best Temperature to Cook Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs

updated Aug 28, 2024
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Four pieces of baked boneless, skinless chicken thighs stacked on a dark blue plate on a marble background
Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik; Food Styling: Kristina Razon

If your meal plan looks anything like mine, boneless, skinless chicken thighs hit the table at least once a week. These humble budget cuts of chicken are versatile, flavorful, and, when cooked just right, wonderfully tender and juicy.

The best way to cook chicken thighs, unlike the more delicate and — dare we say — unforgiving chicken breasts, is to expose them to high temperatures. For the very best chicken thighs, you’ve just got to crank up the heat.

Quick Overview

The Best Temperature For Cooking Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs

Whether they’re on a sheet pan, in a skillet, or in a saucy marinade, the best temperature for cooking boneless, skinless chicken thighs in the oven is between 400°F and 450°F, with 425°F being the temperature we rely on most often.

Credit: Photo: Vicky Wasik ; Food Stylist: Kelli Foster

Why High Heat Works Best for Thighs

Chicken thighs — both boneless and bone-in, have more fat than that wilting flower of the poultry world, boneless, skinless breasts. High heat helps the fat in the thighs melt, it browns the meat, and it adds flavor in the roasting process.

Does High Heat Dry Out Chicken Thighs?

Don’t worry about your chicken thighs drying out — there are two factors that ensure juicy results every time. Keeping the oven set at a high temperature means a shorter cook time overall and, unlike lean chicken breast, thighs are a fattier cut, which not only ups the flavor quotient, but also prevents them from quickly drying out.

When roasted between 400°F and 450°F, what you can expect are pieces of chicken that are evenly cooked throughout in just 20 to 25 minutes, with tender, juicy centers and firm, sometimes lightly crisped outer edges.

Thanks to this high heat and the lack of a bone, boneless chicken thighs cook up quickly, which is just one more of the many reasons (budget! Tasty!) they’re a weeknight staple.

How to Test the Internal Temperature of Boneless Chicken Thighs

Chicken thighs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F. The best way to temp boneless chicken thighs is to insert an instant-read thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh.

Our Favorite Recipes for Boneless, Skinless Chicken Thighs