Garlic Butter Apricot Chicken Thighs with Thyme

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

Juicy chicken thighs glazed with a fragrant garlic butter and apricot sauce, accented by fresh thyme for a savory-sweet balance. This american-inspired chicken (gluten free) ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with rice, quinoa, or a quick salad. 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 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, then season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 5-6 minutes until skin is golden and crispy, then flip and cook 3 minutes more.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet; sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant and garlic is lightly golden.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/3 cup dried apricot preserves and 1/4 cup chicken broth, cooking for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken thighs to skillet skin-side up, nestle 4 fresh thyme sprigs around them, and transfer skillet to the oven.
  6. Step 6: Roast for 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165°F and sauce is bubbling. Spoon sauce over chicken before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Butter Apricot Chicken Thighs with 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 Garlic Butter Apricot Chicken Thighs with 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter Apricot Chicken Thighs with 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 Garlic Butter Apricot Chicken Thighs with 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 Garlic Butter Apricot Chicken Thighs with Thyme gluten free?

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

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