Creamed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with a hint of cream for a decadent keto dinner. This french-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves, heavy cream for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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
- 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) chicken thighs, bone-in skin-on
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Season 4 chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until melted and foaming.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and sear for 6-7 minutes without moving until the skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook another 5 minutes until cooked through.
- Step 3: Remove chicken to a plate and reduce heat to medium. Add remaining 1 tbsp butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sautéing for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Step 4: Pour 1/2 cup heavy cream and stir in 1 tsp chopped fresh thyme. Simmer sauce for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Step 5: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, and cook for an additional 2 minutes to meld flavors. Serve hot with sauce spooned over the top.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Creamed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 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 Creamed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs?
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 Creamed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs?
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 Creamed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs 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 Creamed Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs keto?
Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
