Buttery Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin

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

Juicy chicken thighs cooked with garlic and butter until the skin is perfectly crispy, inspired by Buttercup’s tough and bold character. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, unsalted butter, minced 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: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 380 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken thighs and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 5 minced garlic cloves, and 4 fresh thyme sprigs to the skillet. Spoon melted butter and garlic over the chicken as it cooks for 2 minutes.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to the preheated oven and roast for 15 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
  5. Step 5: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, spooning pan juices over the chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Buttery Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 min prep + 25 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 Buttery Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin?

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 Buttery Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin?

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 Buttery Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin 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 Buttery Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin?

American 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.

Related recipes