Prepare chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. This ensures crispy skin.
Season: In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and thyme. Rub the mixture all over the chicken pieces. Drizzle with olive oil and rub it in evenly.
Arrange in baking dish: Place the chicken in a single layer in a baking dish. Optionally, tuck lemon slices around the chicken for extra flavor.
Bake: Bake uncovered for 35–45 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the skin is golden and crispy.
Optional broil: For extra crispy skin, broil for the last 2–3 minutes, watching carefully so it doesn’t burn.
Serve: Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. Pair with roasted vegetables, mashed potatoes, rice, or a fresh salad.
💡 Tips:
For a deeper flavor, marinate the chicken in the seasoning and a little yogurt or olive oil for 2–4 hours before baking.
Use bone-in pieces—they stay juicier than boneless.
Leftovers reheat well in the oven or air fryer to maintain crispiness.
If you want, I can also give you a super simple 5-ingredient “hands-off” baked chicken version that’s incredibly juicy and almost effortless—perfect for busy nights. Do you want that version too?
