Buttermilk-Marinated Chicken Thighs with Thyme
Tender chicken thighs slow-roasted in a tangy buttermilk bath, infused with fresh thyme and a whisper of smoke, delivering rich Southern comfort. This Southern-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 65 minutes, pairs Chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on, Buttermilk, Fresh thyme, chopped for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 pounds Chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on
- 1 cup Buttermilk
- 2 tablespoons Fresh thyme, chopped
- 1 teaspoon Smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon Smoked salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons Olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Whisk 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, 1 teaspoon smoked paprika, 1/2 teaspoon smoked salt, and 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder in a large bowl until combined.
- Step 2: Submerge 1.5 pounds chicken thighs in the marinade, ensuring full coverage. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
- Step 3: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Remove chicken from marinade, letting excess drip off, and pat dry with paper towels.
- Step 4: Place chicken skin-side up in a roasting pan. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the chicken and season with an additional 1/4 teaspoon smoked salt.
- Step 5: Bake for 35-40 minutes until golden, crispy, and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).









