Description
Delicious Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs are incredibly tender, bursting with savory garlic and rich butter, and come together with minimal fuss for a comforting and elegant weeknight meal.
Ingredients
6 boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp unsalted butter
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh chopped parsley for garnish
Instructions
Thoroughly dry the chicken thighs and season them well on all sides with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
Warm olive oil and one tablespoon of butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place the chicken thighs in the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes on each side until beautifully golden and fully cooked, reaching an internal temperature of 165F. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
In the same skillet, melt the remaining three tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and cook for one minute until it smells wonderful.
Add the chicken broth and lemon juice, gently scraping any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it bubble and thicken slightly for about two minutes.
Return the chicken thighs and any juices back to the skillet, generously spooning the delicious garlic butter sauce over them.
Sprinkle with fresh parsley for a lovely finish and serve while warm.
Notes
Drying is Key: I cannot stress enough how important it is to thoroughly dry your chicken thighs before seasoning and cooking. This allows for better browning and a more appealing texture.
Don’t Rush the Sear: Give the chicken ample time to brown on each side in the hot skillet. This not only creates a lovely color but also locks in the juices.
Watch the Garlic: Minced garlic can burn quickly. Keep it moving in the pan and cook it only until fragrant, usually about 60 seconds, to avoid a bitter taste.
Scrape Those Bits: Those browned bits on the bottom of the pan are pure gold. Deglazing with broth and lemon juice releases that flavor into your sauce, making it truly special.
Resting is Optional but Nice: While not strictly necessary for thighs cooked this way, allowing the chicken to sit in the sauce for a minute or two before serving can help meld the flavors even further.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: N/A
- Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Protein: N/A