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Easy 20-Minute Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs: Best Quick Dinner

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Golden, crispy chicken thighs in a rich garlic butter sauce, ready in just 20 minutes. This one-pan wonder is perfect for busy weeknights and uses simple pantry ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6–8 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or ¾ teaspoon table salt)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 2–3 sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary (optional, or ½ teaspoon dried)
  • ¼ cup low-sodium chicken broth or dry white wine
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season generously on both sides with salt and pepper. Let sit at room temperature while pan heats.
  2. Place a large heavy-bottomed skillet (10-12 inches) over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and let melt until foaming but not browning.
  3. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet, not crowding the pan. Press down gently with a spatula for 10 seconds. Cook undisturbed for 6 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  4. Flip chicken using tongs and cook for another 4 minutes. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part.
  5. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push chicken to one side, add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Once melted, add minced garlic and thyme sprigs. Stir constantly for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  6. Pour in chicken broth or wine, scraping up browned bits from pan bottom with a wooden spoon. Spoon sauce over chicken and let cook 2 minutes, basting occasionally.
  7. Remove chicken from pan and rest on a cutting board for 2-3 minutes. Squeeze lemon juice over top and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken very dry for crispy skin. Don’t crowd the pan—cook in batches if needed. Watch garlic carefully to avoid burning. For best results, let chicken rest before serving. Leftovers keep 4 days in refrigerator; reheat in skillet with splash of broth.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken thighs, quick chicken dinner, 20-minute meal, one-pan chicken, crispy chicken thighs, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://bakebeam.com/easy-20-minute-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-best-quick-dinner/