These garlic butter chicken thighs are a rich, delicious, and high-protein meal that comes together in just 30 minutes! To start, the combination of garlic, butter, and lemon in the sauce creates a mouthwatering flavor that’s hard to resist. Although you could use chicken breast in this recipe, opting for chicken thighs makes the dish even more tender and satisfying. Chances are, this will quickly become a new favorite in your household.
As a dietitian, I’m all about keeping meals simple, satisfying, and packed with flavor—and this recipe checks every box. With just a few everyday ingredients and only one pan, you can have a healthy, protein-packed dinner on the table in no time. To round out the meal, pair it with a quick-cooked veggie or a fresh salad, and you’ve got a delicious dinner without the stress or mess.
So why not give it a try this week? Want to see how it’s done? Click here to watch the full video on our YouTube channel.
Ingredients in Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe
2 TBSP Butter, unsalted
1 TBSP Olive oil
½ tsp Paprika
½ tsp Garlic powder
¼ tsp Salt
½ tsp Ground black pepper
½ tsp Oregano
1 ½ lb Chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
1 C Chicken bone broth, low sodium
¼ C Lemon juice
1 TBSP Garlic, minced
2 TBSP Fresh Parsley (optional)
How to Prepare Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
First, preheat the oven to 400°F.
Meanwhile, place a cast iron skillet on the stovetop and preheat it over medium-high heat.
In a small bowl, combine the paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and oregano to create your seasoning blend.
Next, add the butter and olive oil to the hot skillet.
While the butter is melting, rub the seasoning blend evenly onto both sides of the chicken thighs.
Once seasoned, place the chicken thighs into the skillet and sear on one side for 5 minutes.
Then, flip the chicken and sear the other side for an additional 5 minutes.
At this point, turn off the stovetop.
Carefully add the chicken broth, lemon juice, and minced garlic to the pan.
Cover pan with foil.
Transfer the pan to the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes.
Once done, remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the chicken to a plate.
Before serving, stir the pan juices and spoon the flavorful garlic butter sauce over the chicken.
Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and extra flavor.
Recipe makes 4 servings. Nutrition Facts per serving:
309 Calories, 2 g Carb, 0 g Sugar, 35 g Protein, 21 g Total fat, 8 g Saturated fat, 313 mg Sodium
FAQ about Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Q: Can I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts instead of boneless, skinless chicken thighs?
A: Yes, absolutely! While chicken thighs tend to be a bit juicier and more flavorful, chicken breasts will work just fine in this recipe if that’s what you have on hand.
Q: Can I use bone-in chicken thighs?
A: Yes, you can! Just keep in mind that bone-in thighs take a bit longer to cook. For best results, add an extra 10 minutes in the oven to ensure they’re cooked all the way through.
How to Store and Reheat Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Storage
Refrigerator: To keep leftovers fresh, store the garlic butter chicken thighs in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They’ll stay good for up to 3 days.
Freezer: Alternatively, for longer storage, place the chicken thighs in an airtight container and freeze them for up to 3 months. Be sure to label the container with the date for easy tracking.
Reheating
When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat the chicken thighs in a skillet over medium heat until warmed through. You can also use the microwave—just cover loosely and heat in 30-second intervals to avoid drying them out. If frozen, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating for best results
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Veggies: For a well-balanced meal, these garlic butter chicken thighs pair beautifully with a simple vegetable side. Try sautéed zucchini and summer squash, crisp green beans, tender asparagus, or classic steamed broccoli—all make great choices to round out the plate.
Carb: To add some heartiness, consider serving the chicken with a comforting starch. Roasted potatoes or a flavorful rice pilaf are both easy and delicious options that complement the garlic butter sauce perfectly.
Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp Butter unsalted
- 1 tbsp Olive oil
- 1/2 tsp Paprika
- 1/2 tsp Garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Oregano dried
- 1 1/2 lb Chicken thighs boneless, skinless
- 1 cup Chicken bone broth, low sodium
- 1/4 cup Lemon juice
- 1 tbsp Garlic minced
- 2 tbsp Parsely fresh chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400℉.
- Place large, ovenproof skillet on stovetop, preheat to medium high (I recommend a cast iron skillet).
- In a small bowl combine paprika, garlic, salt, pepper and oregano.
- Add butter and oil to skillet.
- While butter melts, season both sides of chicken with seasoning blend.
- Add chicken to pan, sear for 5 minutes then flip.
- Sear other side of chicken for 5 more minutes.
- Turn off the stovetop.
- Add bone broth, lemon juice and minced garlic to pan.
- Cover with foil.
- Bake on 400℉ for 15 minutes, then remove from oven.
- When ready to serve, stir juices and spoon over chicken and top with fresh parsley.
Notes
Nutrition
About the Author: Rachel Roberts Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist
Rachel Roberts is a Registered Dietitian and Nutritionist in Rhode Island, a Certified Personal Trainer, business owner, mom, wife, and self-proclaimed foodie with over 20 years of experience in the field of health and wellness. She believes that healthy eating should not be complicated or time-consuming. Follow her on YouTube, Facebook, or Instagram for more Dietitian approved recipes and healthy lifestyle tips to improve your health.
Need some help getting your health on track? Rachel and her team of Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists help people lose weight and achieve their health and wellness goals! Meet in person with one of our Nutritionists in RI. We also offer online nutrition coaching sessions to people in RI, MA, CT and FL. Click here to schedule a consultation. In most cases our nutritionists are 100% covered by health insurance.
