Fun-eral Chicken Skillet with Lemon Herb Butter

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

A golden, crispy-skinned chicken dinner with a bright lemon-herb butter sauce that makes weeknight cooking feel special. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken thighs, all-purpose flour, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 390 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 390 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.5 lbs chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Dredge each thigh in 1/4 cup all-purpose flour, shaking off excess.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes.
  3. Step 3: Transfer skillet to preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) and roast for 15 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) internally, basting occasionally with pan juices.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside. Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 1/2 cup chicken broth, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, scraping up browned bits, then simmer for 2 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Squeeze juice from 1 lemon into the sauce, then return chicken to the skillet to coat in the sauce. Cook for 1 more minute until heated through, ensuring the sauce coats the chicken evenly and the edges are glossy.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Fun-eral Chicken Skillet with Lemon Herb Butter 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 Fun-eral Chicken Skillet with Lemon Herb Butter?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Fun-eral Chicken Skillet with Lemon Herb Butter?

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 Fun-eral Chicken Skillet with Lemon Herb Butter 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 Fun-eral Chicken Skillet with Lemon Herb Butter?

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.

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