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Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs: Easy 30-Minute Dinner

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These crispy garlic butter chicken thighs are a quick and easy weeknight dinner, ready in about 30 minutes. With perfectly crispy skin and a rich garlic butter sauce, this one-pan recipe is simple enough for a busy Tuesday but impressive enough for company.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 pounds total)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (use ¾ teaspoon if using fine table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon neutral oil (such as avocado or canola)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme (optional, or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • Flaky sea salt for finishing (optional, such as Maldon)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for serving, optional)
  • Crusty bread or rice (for serving, optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Let them sit uncovered on a plate for 5 minutes to ensure the surface is completely dry.
  2. Season both sides of the chicken thighs evenly with kosher salt and black pepper.
  3. Place a 12-inch cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and add the neutral oil. Heat until the oil shimmers and you see the first wisp of smoke, about 3 minutes.
  4. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet, arranging them so they are not touching. Cook without moving them for 12 minutes. The skin should be deep golden brown and release easily from the pan.
  5. Flip each thigh over so the skin side is up. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
  6. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the butter to the pan, letting it melt around the chicken. Add the sliced garlic and thyme sprigs. Tilt the pan slightly and use a spoon to baste the chicken with the garlic butter continuously for about 2 minutes.
  7. Check the internal temperature of the thickest part of a thigh (avoiding the bone) with an instant-read thermometer. Aim for 165°F for safe eating, or 170°F to 175°F for more tender meat.
  8. Remove the skillet from the heat. Squeeze the fresh lemon juice over the chicken and sprinkle with flaky sea salt if using. Let the chicken rest in the pan for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with crusty bread or rice if desired.

Notes

For even crispier skin, after patting the chicken dry, let it sit uncovered in the fridge for 30 minutes. Do not crowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Avoid flipping the chicken too early to ensure a deep, even crust. The garlic butter sauce can be made dairy-free by using vegan butter or ghee.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic butter chicken, easy chicken dinner, 30-minute meal, one-pan chicken, weeknight dinner, gluten-free chicken

Find it online: https://noshbelle.com/crispy-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-easy-30-minute-dinner/