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Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs: Easy Weeknight Dinner

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A fast, flavorful weeknight dinner featuring crispy skin-on chicken thighs seared in a skillet and finished with a rich garlic butter sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 to 6 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 4 to 5 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Lemon wedges, optional for serving

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet (cast iron or stainless steel) over medium-high heat and add olive oil until it shimmers.
  3. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Press gently to ensure even contact.
  4. Sear the skin undisturbed for 10-12 minutes until deep golden-brown and crispy.
  5. Flip the chicken and reduce heat to medium. Cook for another 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C). Remove chicken to a plate.
  6. Reduce heat to low. Add butter to the same pan and melt. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not brown.
  7. Pour in chicken broth and Dijon mustard, scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer for 1 minute to reduce slightly.
  8. Return chicken to the pan, spooning sauce over the top. Garnish with parsley and serve immediately with lemon wedges.

Notes

Patting the chicken dry is crucial for crispy skin. Do not overcrowd the pan; cook in batches if necessary. Add garlic at the end to prevent burning. For dairy-free, swap butter for olive oil. For gluten-free, ensure broth and mustard are certified gluten-free. Leftovers store in the fridge for up to 3 days; reheat gently in a skillet.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, garlic butter chicken, weeknight dinner, quick meals, easy recipes, crispy chicken, one pan meal, gluten-free

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