Description
A quick and delicious garlic butter chicken thighs recipe that comes together in just 15 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this one-pan wonder delivers rich, savory flavor with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680g) boneless, skinless chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons (56g) unsalted butter
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5g) kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon (1g) freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon (2g) paprika (optional, adds color and smokiness)
- ½ teaspoon (1g) garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This is crucial for a good sear.
- In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of each chicken thigh. Let rest for 5 minutes if time allows.
- Place a large skillet (12-inch or 30cm) over medium-high heat and add olive oil. Heat until the oil shimmers and just starts to smoke, about 2 minutes.
- Carefully place chicken thighs in the hot pan in a single layer. Cook undisturbed for 3 minutes until golden brown. Flip with tongs and cook for another 3 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature of 165°F or 74°C).
- Transfer cooked chicken to a clean plate and tent loosely with foil. Reduce heat to medium-low.
- Add butter to the pan. Let it melt, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Once melted and bubbling, add minced garlic. Stir constantly for 30-45 seconds until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the pan, spooning garlic butter sauce over each piece. Warm through for about 30 seconds. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if using.
- Let chicken rest in the pan off the heat for 2 minutes before serving. Spoon extra sauce over the top when plating.
Notes
For best results, ensure the pan is hot enough before adding chicken. Watch garlic carefully to prevent burning—it goes from perfect to burnt in about 15 seconds. Double the butter and garlic if you want extra sauce. Chicken thighs can be substituted with chicken breasts (adjust cooking time to 2-3 minutes per side). Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approxima
- Calories: 385
- Sodium: 680
- Fat: 26
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 32
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, quick chicken dinner, 15-minute meal, one-pan chicken, weeknight dinner, chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe