Description
Succulent Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs promise a flavor explosion that melts in your mouth with rich, herbed buttery goodness. Crispy skin and tender meat make this simple yet elegant dish perfect for weekend dinners that will satisfy deep comfort food cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Herbs and Spices:
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
Sauce Base:
- 4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
Instructions
- Thoroughly pat chicken thighs dry to ensure optimal skin crispiness, then generously season both sides with salt, pepper, and paprika for robust flavor enhancement.
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat, carefully avoiding burning while creating a golden cooking surface.
- Carefully place seasoned chicken thighs skin-side down, searing for 5-7 minutes until skin transforms into a crispy, golden-brown texture. Flip and cook an additional 5 minutes on the reverse side.
- Reduce heat to medium, introducing minced garlic, rosemary, and thyme. Gently stir for 30 seconds, allowing herbs to release their aromatic essence throughout the skillet.
- Incorporate remaining butter, using a spoon to continuously baste chicken thighs, ensuring maximum flavor infusion and moisture retention.
- Continue cooking for 10-15 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until it reaches 165°F (75°C). Verify doneness by checking clear meat juices when pierced.
- Remove skillet from heat, garnish with fresh parsley to add vibrant color and subtle herbaceous notes. Serve immediately, drizzling the rich garlic butter sauce directly from the pan.
Notes
- Pat chicken thighs completely dry to achieve incredibly crispy skin that delivers restaurant-quality texture.
- Use high-quality unsalted butter for richer, more controlled flavor and better browning during searing process.
- Manage heat carefully to prevent butter from burning, which can create bitter taste and ruin entire dish’s delicate flavor profile.
- Consider swapping chicken thighs with bone-in chicken breasts for lower-fat version without compromising juiciness and taste.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-32 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 16 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 34 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg