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Crispy One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

crispy one-pan garlic butter chicken thighs - featured image
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Perfectly crispy skin, juicy meat, and a rich garlic butter sauce come together in one pan for an easy weeknight dinner that feels special. Ready in under 40 minutes with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 lbs total)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons chicken broth (low-sodium)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pull chicken thighs out of the fridge 15 minutes before cooking. Pat thoroughly dry with paper towels.
  2. In a small bowl, mix salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of chicken.
  3. Place a 10- or 12-inch skillet on the stovetop and arrange chicken skin-side down in the cold pan. Turn heat to medium-low and cook undisturbed for 8–10 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  4. Flip chicken using tongs. Add 2 tablespoons butter to the pan and sliced garlic. Increase heat to medium and cook for 10–12 minutes, basting occasionally with melted butter, until internal temperature reaches 175–185°F.
  5. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent loosely with foil. Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter, chicken broth, and lemon juice to the pan. Scrape up browned bits and let bubble for about 1 minute until slightly thickened. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  6. Spoon garlic butter sauce over chicken, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and serve immediately.

Notes

Start chicken in a cold pan for the crispiest skin. Pat chicken very dry before seasoning. Watch garlic closely as it burns quickly. Let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or ghee. Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge; reheat in oven or air fryer to restore crispiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic butter chicken, one-pan chicken, easy chicken dinner, weeknight chicken, bone-in chicken thighs

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