Braised Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herbs

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

Chicken thighs slow-braised in a rich garlic-herb sauce until fall-off-the-bone tender. This french-inspired one pot ready in about 65 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 480 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.

★ 4.0 (15 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 50 min Serves 4 French cuisine 480 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry, season evenly with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken skin-side down, cook 8 minutes until golden, flip, and cook 5 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken, add crushed garlic cloves to pot, and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1 tablespoon fresh thyme and cook 30 seconds. Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth and 1/4 cup dry white wine, scraping pan for browned bits.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to pot, skin-side up, cover, and simmer on low heat for 30 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Uncover and simmer 10 minutes more until chicken is tender and sauce reduces slightly.
  7. Step 7: Whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with 1 tablespoon water, stir into sauce, and cook 2 minutes until thickened.
  8. Step 8: Garnish with 2 tablespoons fresh parsley and serve.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Braised Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herbs take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (15 min prep + 50 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 Braised Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herbs?

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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Braised Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herbs?

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 Braised Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herbs 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 Braised Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herbs?

French one pot 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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