Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Herbs

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs baked under a crispy Parmesan and herb crust, seasoned with garlic and black pepper for a savory dinner. This general-inspired chicken ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, grated Parmesan cheese, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 35 min Serves 6 380 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with paper towels and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, combine 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley.
  3. Step 3: Drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil evenly over the chicken thighs, then press the Parmesan mixture onto the skin side of each thigh to form a crust.
  4. Step 4: Place the chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving with your favorite sides.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Herbs?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep grated parmesan cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Herbs?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Herbs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Herbs?

General chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes