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Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Skillet (25-Minute One-Pan Meal)

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Crispy, golden chicken thighs with a rich garlic butter sauce, ready in 25 minutes. A simple one-pan meal that delivers restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6–8 garlic cloves, smashed or thinly sliced
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (use 1 teaspoon if using Morton’s)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon avocado oil or vegetable oil
  • 4–5 fresh thyme sprigs (optional, or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
  • ¼ cup chicken broth or dry white wine
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season generously on all sides with kosher salt and black pepper. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  2. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed stainless steel pan over medium heat. Add the oil and heat until shimmering.
  3. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan, making sure not to crowd them. Cook undisturbed for 8-10 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and releases easily from the pan.
  4. Flip the thighs using tongs and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 175-185°F. Transfer to a plate and tent loosely with foil.
  5. Pour off most of the rendered fat from the pan, leaving about 1 tablespoon. Reduce heat to medium-low and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Once melted, add the smashed garlic cloves and thyme sprigs. Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until fragrant.
  6. Pour in the chicken broth or wine and scrape up the browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let bubble for 30 seconds, then stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter until melted and the sauce is glossy.
  7. Return the chicken to the pan, spooning the garlic butter sauce over the top. Warm through for 1 minute. Squeeze lemon juice over everything, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Don’t rush the sear—let the skin cook undisturbed for 8-10 minutes for maximum crispiness. Use a meat thermometer for best results; thighs are most tender at 180°F. If garlic starts to brown too quickly, remove the pan from the heat to prevent bitterness. Save the rendered chicken fat (schmaltz) for roasting potatoes or vegetables.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken thighs, crispy chicken thighs, one-pan chicken, easy chicken recipe, 25-minute meal, weeknight dinner, cast iron skillet chicken

Find it online: https://hungermind.com/easy-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-skillet-25-minute-one-pan-meal/