Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts
Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared in garlic butter paired with caramelized roasted Brussels sprouts for a hearty, flavorful dinner. This chicken-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs, salt, black pepper 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
- 4 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4 cloves, minced garlic cloves
- 1 lb, trimmed and halved Brussels sprouts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss 1 lb halved Brussels sprouts with 2 tbsp olive oil, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes until edges are caramelized and tender.
- Step 2: Meanwhile, pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and melt 2 tbsp unsalted butter.
- Step 3: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet and sear without moving for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook for 5 more minutes.
- Step 4: Add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tbsp lemon juice to the skillet, sauté for 1 minute until fragrant. Add remaining 1 tbsp butter and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, spoon melted butter over chicken for 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Remove chicken and Brussels sprouts from oven. Serve chicken topped with garlic butter sauce alongside roasted Brussels sprouts.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts?
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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts 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 Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Brussels Sprouts?
Chicken 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.
