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Close-up of chicken thighs stacked with golden garlic butter sauce pooling on the plate

Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs

Juicy skillet chicken thighs seared until golden, then simmered with garlic and finished with a quick buttery pan sauce.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Rest time 0 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 423
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Video Notes

Ingredients
  

Chicken + seasoning
  • 1.3 lb chicken thighs 600 g
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
For cooking + sauce
  • 2 tbsp vegetable oil
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter 25 g
  • 2 garlic cloves smashed or minced
  • 1/3 cup + 1 tbsp water 100 ml

Equipment

  • Large skillet with lid
  • Tongs
  • Measuring spoons
  • Measuring cup
  • Instant-read thermometer (recommended)

Method
 

  1. Pat chicken thighs dry. Season both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
  2. Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and sear until golden and crisp on both sides.
  3. Add fresh garlic to the pan, then carefully pour in the water.
  4. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook 8–12 minutes or until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Uncover and simmer 1–3 minutes to reduce into a glossy sauce, spooning sauce over chicken.
  6. Serve hot with pan sauce.

Nutrition

Serving: 4gCalories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 1gProtein: 39gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 620mgPotassium: 520mgVitamin A: 180IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 28mgIron: 1.6mg

Video

Notes

 
  • For extra browning, don’t move the chicken for the first 3 minutes of searing.
  • If the sauce reduces too much, add 1–2 tbsp water and swirl to loosen.
  • Bone-in thighs will take longer; cook to 165°F (74°C).
  • Optional garnish: chopped parsley (not included in your ingredient list).

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