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Quick Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe for Easy Zesty Lemon Dinner

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A quick and comforting chicken thigh recipe featuring crispy skin, garlicky butter sauce, and a bright splash of lemon, perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Zest and juice of 1 medium lemon
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • Chopped fresh parsley or thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Heat until shimmering but not smoking.
  3. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the hot skillet. Press down lightly with tongs to ensure even contact. Cook without moving for 7-8 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
  4. Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes on the other side.
  5. While the chicken cooks, mix the softened butter, minced garlic, lemon zest, and lemon juice in a small bowl until well combined.
  6. Reduce heat to medium-low. Spoon the garlic butter sauce over the chicken thighs in the skillet. Let the butter melt and bubble, spooning the sauce over the chicken repeatedly for 3-5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through (internal temperature 165°F) and the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Remove the pan from heat and let the chicken rest for 2 minutes in the pan to absorb the flavors.
  8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley or thyme before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry before cooking to ensure crispy skin. Cook thighs skin-side down first without moving to develop a golden crust. Use medium-low heat when adding garlic butter sauce to avoid burning garlic. Rest chicken briefly after cooking to lock in juices. For dairy-free option, substitute butter with plant-based spread or extra olive oil. Boneless thighs can be used but cook faster. To reheat leftovers, warm in skillet over medium heat without covering to keep skin crispy.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken thighs, quick chicken recipe, lemon chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy dinner, weeknight meal

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