Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Thyme

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

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection, finished in a garlic butter thyme sauce for rich, comforting flavor. This french-inspired chicken ready in about 25 minutes pairs kosher salt, black pepper, unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 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: 15 min Serves 4 French cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear without moving for 7 minutes until skin is deep golden and crisp.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs and add 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 4 smashed garlic cloves, and 4 fresh thyme sprigs to the pan. Spoon the melted butter over the chicken continuously for 5 more minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and chicken is cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove the chicken to a plate and squeeze 1 tablespoon lemon juice over the pan sauce. Stir to combine and drizzle the garlic butter thyme sauce over the chicken before serving.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Thyme take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 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 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 kosher salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Butter Pan-Seared 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 Pan-Seared 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.

What goes well with Garlic Butter Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Thyme?

French 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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