Butter-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme

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

Juicy chicken thighs roasted in butter with fresh garlic and thyme for a rich, flavorful keto dinner. This french-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, unsalted butter, smashed garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 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 French cuisine 380 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Pat dry 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides evenly with 1 tsp sea salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat an oven-safe skillet over medium heat and melt 3 tbsp unsalted butter until foaming. Add 4 smashed garlic cloves and 3 fresh thyme sprigs, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and sear for 5 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy.
  4. Step 4: Flip chicken thighs and transfer skillet to the preheated oven. Roast for 20-25 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from oven and let chicken rest 5 minutes before serving with pan juices spooned over.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Butter-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme 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 Butter-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Butter-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme?

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 Butter-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme 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.

Is Butter-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Thyme low carb?

Yes — this recipe is tagged low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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