Print

Easy Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

crispy garlic butter chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

This Easy Crispy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs recipe is proof that the best meals often come from the most chaotic moments. It’s simple enough for a Tuesday night, special enough for company, and so delicious that you’ll find yourself making excuses to cook it.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 lbs / 900g)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (56g)
  • 6–8 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1½ teaspoons kosher salt (or 1 teaspoon Morton’s)
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: a few sprigs fresh thyme or rosemary
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Prepare the chicken: Remove the chicken thighs from the fridge and pat them very dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with the kosher salt and black pepper. Let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes while you prep the garlic.
  2. Start the chicken in a cold pan: Place the chicken thighs skin-side down in a cold, dry cast-iron skillet. Turn the heat to medium-low. Let the chicken cook undisturbed for 12-15 minutes.
  3. Flip and sear: After 12-15 minutes, the skin should be deep golden brown and crispy. Use tongs to carefully flip the chicken. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook for 2 minutes to brown the other side.
  4. Add the butter and garlic: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the 4 tablespoons of butter to the pan, letting it melt around the chicken. Scatter the minced garlic and any herb sprigs into the butter. Using a spoon, baste the chicken with the garlic butter for about 2 minutes.
  5. Check for doneness: Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of a thigh (avoiding the bone). You’re looking for 165°F (74°C). If it’s not there yet, continue basting for another 1-2 minutes.
  6. Rest and serve: Transfer the chicken to a plate and let it rest for 5 minutes. Spoon any remaining garlic butter from the pan over the chicken before serving.

Notes

Don’t crowd the pan; cook in batches if needed. Patience is key with the cold start. Watch the garlic so it doesn’t burn. Use a splatter guard to keep the stovetop clean. Let the chicken rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, garlic butter chicken, easy chicken dinner, weeknight dinner, bone-in chicken thighs

Find it online: https://cookluma.com/easy-crispy-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-best-family-dinner/