Seafood seasoning chicken thighs are a simple oven dinner with big Chesapeake style flavor. A quick marinade of avocado oil, tomato paste, seafood seasoning, onion powder, garlic, and parsley coats the chicken, and a hot oven turns the outside golden while the inside stays juicy. It is a flavorful way to cook chicken with only a few ingredients.
The marinade needs 30 minutes, so you can mix it while the oven heats and let the chicken sit while you make a side. The tomato paste adds a deep color and a little sweetness that balances the spice.
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Why This Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs Recipe Works
Chicken thighs are rich and forgiving, so they stand up to bold seasoning and high heat. Starting the thighs skin side down and flipping halfway lets the chicken pick up color on both sides.
Seafood seasoning blends already contain plenty of salt, so this recipe does not add extra. That keeps the finished chicken seasoned but not overly salty.
Look for a Chesapeake style seafood seasoning blend in the spice aisle, usually made with celery salt, paprika, and pepper. Blends differ in saltiness, so taste a pinch of the dry seasoning before you measure it all.
Ingredients for Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
- 6 chicken thighs, skin on
- 1 1/2 tbsp seafood seasoning blend (Chesapeake style)
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- black pepper, to taste
How to Make Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
1. Heat the oven
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Mix the marinade
In a small bowl, stir together the avocado oil, tomato paste, seafood seasoning, parsley, onion powder, garlic paste, and pepper.
3. Coat the chicken
Trim any excess fat from the thighs, place them in a bowl, add the marinade, and mix until every piece is coated. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
4. Bake skin side down
Place the thighs skin side down in a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.
5. Flip and finish
Carefully flip the chicken and bake 15 to 20 minutes more, until a thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the thickest part. Bone in thighs may need a few extra minutes.
6. Rest
Move the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
The tomato paste does more than add color. It brings a mild sweetness and umami that rounds out the sharp spices, and it helps the marinade cling to the skin instead of sliding off in the dish.
How to Serve Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
Serve the thighs with rice, roasted potatoes, corn, or a crisp salad. The seasoning goes well with simple sides like easy oven fries. If you want another baked chicken thigh recipe, try the 30 minute baked boneless chicken thighs, or add some sweetness with baked sweet chili chicken thighs. A sheet pan dinner like sheet pan honey dijon chicken is another weeknight option.
How to Store and Reheat Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within two hours of cooking and eat them within 3 to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or a covered skillet until hot all the way through (165 degrees F). The chicken also works cold or shredded into salads and sandwiches.
Tips and Variations for Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
Discard any leftover marinade that touched raw chicken instead of using it as a sauce. Marinate in the refrigerator, not on the counter, and use a thermometer for doneness.
The University of New Hampshire Extension chicken fajitas recipe is one more example of using a thermometer to confirm chicken reaches 165 degrees F.
For variations, marinate overnight for stronger flavor, use bone in thighs for extra juiciness, or add a squeeze of lemon juice at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions About Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
Can I make seafood seasoning chicken thighs with boneless thighs?
Yes. Boneless thighs cook faster, so start checking the temperature a little earlier.
Can I marinate seafood seasoning chicken thighs overnight?
Yes. Overnight in the refrigerator gives stronger flavor. Keep the chicken covered and cold.
What should I serve with seafood seasoning chicken thighs?
Rice, roasted potatoes, corn, and a green salad all work well with the seasoning.
Do I need to add salt?
Usually not, because the seasoning blend contains salt. Taste the finished chicken and add a pinch only if you want more.
How do I know the chicken is done?
Use a thermometer. The thickest part should read 165 degrees F.
Seafood Seasoning Chicken Thighs
Equipment
- Baking dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 chicken thighs skin on
- 1 ½ tbsp seafood seasoning blend Chesapeake style
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp garlic paste
- 1 ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tbsp dried parsley
- 2 tbsp avocado oil
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
Cooking
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Stir together the avocado oil, tomato paste, seafood seasoning, parsley, onion powder, garlic paste, and pepper.
- Trim excess fat from the thighs, coat them in the marinade, and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.
- Place the thighs skin side down in a baking dish and bake 20 minutes.
- Flip and bake 15 to 20 minutes more until they reach 165 degrees F. Bone in thighs may need longer.
- Rest 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
