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Easy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe in 20 Minutes

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Juicy, golden chicken thighs cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce, ready in just 20 minutes. This one-skillet recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and uses simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon paprika (regular or smoked)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth (low-sodium if preferred)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional but recommended)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Optional: red pepper flakes, fresh thyme or rosemary, Parmesan cheese

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large cast iron skillet or heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  3. Place chicken skin-side down in the hot pan. Cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes until deep golden brown and crispy. Flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes.
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push chicken to one side, add butter to the empty space. Once melted, add minced garlic and stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Let simmer for 1 minute until slightly thickened.
  6. Spoon garlic butter sauce over chicken. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, basting occasionally, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  7. Remove from heat, sprinkle with fresh parsley, and let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry for crispy skin. Don’t crowd the pan. Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning. Let chicken rest before serving. For dairy-free, use vegan butter or olive oil. For boneless thighs, reduce cooking time by 3-4 minutes.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken thighs, easy chicken recipe, 20 minute dinner, one skillet chicken, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://cookyep.com/easy-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-recipe-in-20-minutes/