Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs: Easy One-Pan Dinner in 20 Minutes
This quick garlic butter chicken thighs recipe delivers crispy, juicy chicken in just 20 minutes with simple ingredients. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s a crowd-pleaser that proves simple techniques beat complicated any day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter (such as Kerrygold)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika
- ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels (30 seconds). Season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika.
- Heat the skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter. Swirl the pan until the butter melts and starts to foam.
- Place the chicken skin-side down in the skillet (1 minute). Press gently with a spatula for even contact. Let it cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until the skin is deep golden brown and releases easily.
- Flip the chicken using tongs (30 seconds). Cook for another 5-6 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and tent with foil (1 minute). Lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and minced garlic. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Pour in the chicken broth (15 seconds). Scrape up any browned bits from the pan bottom. Let it simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened.
- Return the chicken to the pan (30 seconds). Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the top. Sprinkle with fresh parsley if using. Let it rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat chicken very dry for crispy skin. Don’t move chicken too early; let it form a proper crust. Lower heat before adding garlic to prevent burning. Use room temperature chicken for even cooking. Double the garlic if desired. For thicker thighs, cover pan with lid after flipping to ensure doneness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 380
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 28
Keywords: garlic butter chicken thighs, quick chicken dinner, one-pan chicken, 20-minute meal, crispy chicken thighs, easy weeknight dinner