Description
This Crispy Garlic Butter Skillet Chicken transforms humble chicken thighs into a restaurant-worthy meal in just 25 minutes! Golden-brown on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bathed in a luscious garlic butter sauce with a bright hint of lemon. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner that feels special enough for company!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1¾ lbs)
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- Juice of ½ lemon (about 1 Tbsp)
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder.
- Heat a large cast-iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and swirl to coat the bottom evenly.
- Place chicken thighs smooth-side down in the hot skillet. Let cook undisturbed for 5-6 minutes, until a golden-brown crust forms.
- Flip chicken and cook another 4-5 minutes, until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove chicken to a plate and tent with foil.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and allow to melt completely.
- Once butter is melted and foamy, add sliced garlic. Cook for about 1 minute, stirring occasionally, until fragrant but not browned.
- Add lemon juice to the garlic butter, stirring to combine.
- Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it into the sauce. Spoon garlic butter over the chicken and cook for another 1-2 minutes.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
- The key to crispy chicken is patting it completely dry before seasoning.
- Don’t move the chicken while it’s searing to ensure a perfect golden crust.
- For extra flavor, try adding fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary to the butter.
- Serve with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious garlic butter sauce.
- For a complete one-pan meal, add halved cherry tomatoes or baby spinach to the skillet during the last 2 minutes of cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 29g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 145mg
Keywords: Chicken thighs, garlic butter chicken, skillet chicken, one-pan dinner, quick dinner, crispy chicken, garlic butter sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner