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The Best Quick One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken Recipe

one-pan garlic butter chicken - featured image

This quick one-pan garlic butter chicken is the perfect weeknight dinner—juicy, golden-brown chicken thighs in a rich, buttery garlic sauce, all made in one pan in under 30 minutes. It’s simple, delicious, and guaranteed to become a staple.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  2. Heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter and let it melt until sizzling. Place the chicken skin-side down in the pan. Sear for 4-5 minutes without moving until the skin is golden brown and releases easily.
  3. Flip the chicken and sear the other side for 3 minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of butter to the pan. Once melted, add the minced garlic and dried thyme. Stir constantly for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Let the sauce simmer for 1-2 minutes until it thickens slightly.
  6. Return the chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Spoon some garlic butter sauce over each piece. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
  7. Bake for 12-15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). For extra crispy skin, broil for the last 1-2 minutes.
  8. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve straight from the pan.

Notes

Pat the chicken dry for crispy skin. Don’t overcrowd the pan during searing. Watch the garlic closely to avoid burning. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving. For a dairy-free option, substitute butter with ghee or plant-based butter.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken, one-pan chicken, quick chicken dinner, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, chicken thighs, garlic butter sauce