Oven-Roasted Tucson-Inspired Chili Rubbed Chicken

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

This roasted chicken features a smoky chili and cumin rub that captures the warm flavors of the Tucson region, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner. This Latin American-inspired chicken recipe (gluten free), ready in about 50 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, chili powder, ground cumin for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Latin American cuisine 320 cal/serving

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Ingredients

6 pieces bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp ground cumin
1 tbsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp fresh lime juice

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Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). In a small bowl, combine 2 tbsp chili powder, 1 tbsp ground cumin, 1 tbsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1 tsp black pepper. Mix well to create the spice rub.
Step 2: Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with paper towels, then rub them all over with 2 tbsp olive oil. Sprinkle the spice rub evenly over the chicken thighs, pressing it into the skin to adhere.
Step 3: Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on a rimmed baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper. Roast in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the skin is crispy and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Step 4: Remove the chicken from the oven and immediately drizzle 1 tbsp fresh lime juice over the top to brighten flavors. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.