Let’s bake these incredibly simple and delicious chicken thighs:

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:

• Preheat your oven to a very hot 475°F (245°C).
• Place a wire rack inside a broiler pan or a standard rimmed baking sheet. (Using a wire rack is key for allowing air to circulate under the chicken for crispier skin).

2. Prepare and Season the Chicken:

• Pat the chicken thighs thoroughly dry on all sides with paper towels. This is a crucial step for achieving crispy skin.
• Gently lift up the skin on each chicken thigh. Sprinkle a bit of salt, ground black pepper, and garlic powder directly onto the meat under the skin.
• Carefully pull the skin back over the meat to cover it.
• Season the outside of the skin generously with more salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Also, season the underside (bone side) of the thighs.

3. Arrange Chicken on Rack:

• Arrange the seasoned chicken thighs in a single layer on the prepared wire rack set inside the baking pan, ensuring there’s some space between each piece for air circulation.

4. Roast (Two-Temperature Method):

• Initial High-Heat Roast: Place the baking pan with the chicken into the preheated 475°F (245°C) oven. Roast for about 20 minutes. This initial high heat helps to render fat and crisp up the skin.
• Reduce Heat and Continue Roasting: After 20 minutes, reduce the oven temperature to 400°F (200°C).
• Continue roasting for approximately 30 minutes more. The chicken is done when the skin is deep golden brown and very crispy, the juices run clear when pierced with a fork near the bone, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (without touching the bone) reads at least 165°F (74°C).

5. Rest Before Serving (Important!):

• Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest on the wire rack (or transfer to a clean cutting board) for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more moist and tender chicken.

6. Serve:

• Serve the Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs hot and enjoy that wonderfully crispy skin and juicy meat!

The two-temperature bake and wire rack are your secrets to crispy skin