Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 lemon, zested
Instructions
- 1
Thoroughly pat the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
⏱️ 2 min
- 2
In a bowl, season all sides of the dried chicken thighs with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss the chicken to ensure an even coating of the spices.
⏱️ 3 min
- 3
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min
- 4
Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side down, into the hot skillet. Do not move the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the skin to render and become deeply golden and crispy.
⏱️ 10 min
- 5
Once the skin is deeply golden and crispy, flip the chicken thighs and cook on the other side for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min
- 6
Add the unsalted butter, smashed garlic cloves, and fresh thyme sprigs to the pan around the chicken. Immediately zest 1/2 lemon directly over the pan, allowing the zest to fall into the butter mixture.
⏱️ 2 min
- 7
Carefully tilt the pan and continuously baste the chicken thighs with the melted butter, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest mixture for about 3 minutes. This infuses the chicken with flavor and helps it cook evenly.
⏱️ 3 min
- 8
Continue cooking the chicken, basting occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) registers an internal temperature of 175°F. This ensures juicy and fully cooked chicken.
⏱️ 1 min
- 9
Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board or plate for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender chicken.
⏱️ 5 min
Kitchen Tools
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
- 4 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 5 garlic cloves, smashed
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1/2 lemon, zested
Instructions
- 1
Thoroughly pat the bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This step is crucial for achieving crispy skin.
⏱️ 2 min - 2
In a bowl, season all sides of the dried chicken thighs with kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Toss the chicken to ensure an even coating of the spices.
⏱️ 3 min - 3
Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
⏱️ 2 min - 4
Carefully place the seasoned chicken thighs, skin side down, into the hot skillet. Do not move the chicken for 8 to 10 minutes, allowing the skin to render and become deeply golden and crispy.
⏱️ 10 min - 5
Once the skin is deeply golden and crispy, flip the chicken thighs and cook on the other side for an additional 5 to 7 minutes.
⏱️ 7 min - 6
Add the unsalted butter, smashed garlic cloves, and fresh thyme sprigs to the pan around the chicken. Immediately zest 1/2 lemon directly over the pan, allowing the zest to fall into the butter mixture.
⏱️ 2 min - 7
Carefully tilt the pan and continuously baste the chicken thighs with the melted butter, garlic, thyme, and lemon zest mixture for about 3 minutes. This infuses the chicken with flavor and helps it cook evenly.
⏱️ 3 min - 8
Continue cooking the chicken, basting occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh (avoiding the bone) registers an internal temperature of 175°F. This ensures juicy and fully cooked chicken.
⏱️ 1 min - 9
Remove the chicken from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board or plate for 5 minutes before serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, resulting in more tender chicken.
⏱️ 5 min