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Ranch Chicken Thighs

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Golden, crispy, and bursting with savory ranch flavor, these ranch chicken thighs are a quick, kid-friendly dinner that comes together in just 30 minutes. With a handful of pantry staples, you’ll have juicy, flavorful chicken that’s sure to please even picky eaters.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional, for serving)
  • Lemon wedges (optional, for serving)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Trim excess fat if needed, but leave some for flavor.
  2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
  3. Dredge each chicken thigh in the seasoning mixture, coating both sides evenly. Shake off excess.
  4. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and let it get hot but not smoking.
  5. Place chicken thighs in the skillet, skin-side down. Sear for 4-5 minutes, until the skin is golden and crispy. Do not move them around.
  6. Flip the thighs skin-side up, then transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven. Bake for 15-18 minutes, until the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part.
  7. Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving. Top with chopped parsley or chives and a squeeze of lemon, if desired.

Notes

For gluten-free, swap all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free blend or rice flour. For extra crispiness, bake chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. You can use boneless, skinless thighs (reduce bake time by 5 minutes) or make in the air fryer at 400°F for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway. Let chicken rest before serving for juicier results.

Nutrition

Keywords: ranch chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, kid-friendly, weeknight dinner, crispy chicken, ranch seasoning, skillet chicken, oven baked chicken, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://magnetmeal.com/ranch-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-kid-friendly-dinner-in-30-minutes/