Baked Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs baked in a garlic butter sauce infused with fresh lemon and parsley, delivering bright and savory flavors perfect for a comforting dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Pat dry 6 bone-in chicken thighs and season them evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook the other side for 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Remove the skillet from heat and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice, 1 tsp lemon zest, and 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley around the chicken. Spoon the melted garlic butter mixture over the chicken.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F. Baste the chicken with the pan sauce halfway through baking.
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the garlic lemon butter sauce over the chicken thighs before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Baked Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Baked Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Baked Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Baked Lemon-Parsley Chicken Thighs with Garlic Butter?

Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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