These Mexican hen thighs are impressed by the daring flavors of Mexican delicacies. That includes a flavorful mix of spices, lime, and recent cilantro, this straightforward baked hen recipe delivers crispy, juicy thighs with minimal effort. It is good for a fast weeknight meal or a scrumptious addition to a festive dinner.
Fast, straightforward, and full of taste, these Mexican hen thighs are every little thing you want for the proper weeknight dinner. Impressed by the daring flavors of Mexican cooking, this dish options juicy, crispy hen seasoned with a zesty spice mix and lime. Whereas not essentially an genuine Mexican recipe, it’s a scrumptious nod to the delicacies that’s positive to impress.
What makes this recipe a go-to? It’s easy to organize utilizing pantry staples, and because it bakes within the oven, you’ll be able to concentrate on different duties whereas dinner cooks to perfection. Pair it with sides like Cilantro Lime Rice or Mexican Black Beans to spherical out the meal.
For simpler and flavorful Mexican-style dinner concepts, try our recipes for Beef and Bean Enchiladas or Beef Gentle Tacos. These hen thighs are certain to turn into a family favourite whether or not you’re cooking for household or meal prepping!
What We Suppose You’ll Love About This Recipe
Ingredient Overview
Make sure to try the total recipe and ingredient record under
- Bone-In, Pores and skin-On Hen Thighs. These are the star of the dish! The bone and pores and skin preserve the hen juicy whereas offering further taste and crispy texture.
- Olive Oil. Helps the spice mix keep on with the hen and contributes to the crispy pores and skin.
- Floor Cumin, Chili Powder, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Dried Oregano, Floor Coriander. This daring spice mix creates the signature taste of the dish, with earthy, smoky, and barely spicy notes.
- Salt and Black Pepper. Enhances the general taste of the hen and spices.
- Lime Juice. Provides a zesty, tangy kick that brightens the flavors and tenderizes the hen.
- Recent Cilantro. A recent garnish that brings colour and a remaining burst of taste.
Find out how to Make it (With Images)
That is only a transient overview. Make sure to try the total recipe and ingredient record under
Pat the hen thighs dry to make sure crispy pores and skin, then coat them with olive oil and the spice mix. Therapeutic massage the spices evenly into the hen for full protection. End by drizzling with lime juice and marinating for 15-20 minutes (or as much as 2 hours for deeper taste).
Place the hen thighs skin-side up on a parchment-lined or greased baking sheet, guaranteeing they’re spaced aside for even cooking. Bake at 400 F (200 C) for 30-35 minutes, till the interior temperature reaches 165 F (74 C) and the pores and skin is golden and crispy. Use an instant-read thermometer to verify doneness.
Ideas for Success
- Pat the Hen Dry. Eradicating extra moisture from the hen thighs ensures the pores and skin will get superbly crispy throughout baking. Don’t skip this step!
- Evenly Coat with Spices. Therapeutic massage the spice mix into the hen to ensure the flavors penetrate and each chew is seasoned completely.
- Don’t Skip the Lime Juice. The lime juice not solely provides zesty taste but additionally helps tenderize the hen, making it further juicy.
- Marinate for Most Taste. Whereas 15-20 minutes is adequate, letting the hen marinate for as much as 2 hours within the fridge enhances the flavour much more. Simply be sure you deliver it to room temperature earlier than baking.
- Area the Hen Out. Organize the thighs with area in between on the baking sheet to permit even airflow and correct browning.
- Use an Instantaneous Learn Thermometer. To keep away from undercooking or overcooking, examine the interior temperature of the hen. It ought to attain 165 F (74 C) within the thickest half with out touching the bone.
- Crisp the Pores and skin. For extra-crispy pores and skin, you’ll be able to broil the hen for 2-3 minutes on the finish of baking, however preserve an in depth eye on it to stop burning.
- Let it Relaxation. After baking, let the hen relaxation for five minutes earlier than serving. This permits the juices to redistribute, holding the meat moist and flavorful.
Storage and Reheating Directions
Storing Leftovers:
- Permit the hen to chill utterly earlier than storing.
- Place the hen thighs in an hermetic container and retailer them within the fridge for as much as 4 days.
- For longer storage, freeze the hen in a freezer-safe container or bag for as much as 3 months. Make sure to take away as a lot air as attainable to stop freezer burn.
Reheating Refrigerated Hen:
- Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 F (177 C). Place the hen thighs on a baking sheet and canopy them loosely with foil to stop drying out. Warmth for 15-20 minutes or till warmed via.
- Microwave: Place the hen on a microwave-safe plate and canopy with a humid paper towel to maintain it moist. Warmth on medium energy in 30-second increments till warmed via.
Reheating Frozen Hen:
- Thaw the hen within the fridge in a single day earlier than reheating. Observe the oven or microwave directions above.
- When you’re brief on time, you’ll be able to reheat instantly from frozen within the oven at 350 F (175 C). Cowl with foil and bake for 25-Half-hour, then take away the foil and bake for a further 5 minutes to crisp up the pores and skin.
Ideas for the Greatest Outcomes
Keep away from over-reheating, as this will dry out the hen.
For crispy pores and skin, reheat within the oven or air fryer as a substitute of the microwave.
extra
Mexican-Impressed Recipes
Parchment paper (non-compulsory)
- 6 bone-in, skin-on hen thighs
- 1 teaspoon floor cumin
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon floor coriander
- Salt and black pepper to style
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lime juiced
- ¼ cup recent cilantro chopped (for garnish)
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Pat the hen thighs dry with paper towels to take away extra moisture. This helps the pores and skin crisp up throughout baking. (Be aware 1)
6 bone-in, skin-on hen thighs
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Season Hen: In a small bowl, combine collectively cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, dried oregano, floor coriander, salt, and black pepper. Make sure the mix is evenly combined.
1 teaspoon floor cumin, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon onion powder, ½ teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon floor coriander, Salt and black pepper to style
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Rub the hen thighs with olive oil, guaranteeing they’re well-coated. Sprinkle the spice combination evenly over the hen, ensuring to coat either side. Therapeutic massage the spices into the hen for even protection. (Be aware 2)
2 tablespoons olive oil
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Marinate: Place the seasoned hen in a bowl and drizzle with lime juice. Let it marinate for 15-20 minutes at room temperature. For deeper taste, marinate as much as 2 hours within the fridge, then deliver to room temperature earlier than baking. (Be aware 3)
1 lime
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About 10 minutes earlier than the marinating time is up, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
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Organize the hen thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a greased baking dish. Ensure that the thighs are spaced aside for even cooking. Bake within the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or till the interior temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the pores and skin is golden and crispy. Use an instantaneous learn thermometer to examine doneness. (Be aware 4)
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Begin checking the hen round Half-hour to make sure it is cooked via however not overdone. Alter the time as wanted primarily based in your oven and the dimensions of the hen thighs. (Be aware 5)
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Non-obligatory step: For extra-crispy pores and skin, broil the hen for 2-3 minutes on the finish of baking. Maintain an in depth eye to stop burning. (Be aware 6)
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Let the hen relaxation for five minutes after baking to retain juices. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro for a recent end. (Be aware 7)
¼ cup recent cilantro
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Serve the hen thighs with sides like cilantro-lime rice, black beans, or a recent inexperienced salad.
- Patting the hen dry helps obtain crispy, golden pores and skin by eradicating extra moisture.
- Massaging the spices into the hen ensures each chew is full of taste.
- An extended marination enhances taste, however even a brief relaxation with lime juice makes an enormous distinction.
- An instantaneous learn thermometer helps to realize juicy outcomes. Insert it into the thickest a part of the meat, avoiding the bone.
- Start checking for doneness at Half-hour. Smaller thighs could cook dinner sooner, whereas bigger ones may have nearer to 35 minutes.
- Broiling provides an irresistible crispness. Maintain the hen on the middle of the oven to keep away from over-charring.
- Resting the hen permits the juices to redistribute, holding the meat moist and flavorful.
Energy: 368kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 24g | Fats: 29g | Saturated Fats: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fats: 6g | Monounsaturated Fats: 13g | Trans Fats: 0.1g | Ldl cholesterol: 142mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 345mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 0.3g | Vitamin A: 433IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 26mg | Iron: 2mg
Servings: 6 servings
Energy: 368kcal
