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Easy One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe

one-pan garlic butter chicken thighs - featured image

A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring juicy, skin-on chicken thighs seared in a skillet and finished in a rich garlic butter sauce. This one-pan meal is low-stress, flavorful, and perfect for busy evenings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1.5 to 2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme.
  2. Heat a large skillet (preferably cast-iron) over medium-high heat and add olive oil until it shimmers.
  3. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Press gently to ensure contact and cook undisturbed for 6-7 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook for another 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the same pan. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice. Use a wooden spoon to scrape up browned bits (fond) from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until sauce reduces slightly.
  6. Return chicken thighs to the pan, nestling them into the sauce. Spoon sauce over the top. Cover and simmer on low heat for 5-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, ensure the chicken is completely dry before seasoning and do not move it while searing. If using boneless breasts, reduce cooking time by 2-3 minutes. For a creamy variation, stir in heavy cream at the end. To deglaze effectively, scrape up all browned bits from the pan bottom.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, garlic butter, one-pan dinner, weeknight meals, easy chicken recipe, keto friendly, gluten-free dinner