Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter

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

Juicy chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and finished with a zesty lemon-garlic sauce made with fresh herbs and butter for a restaurant-quality keto main course. This french-inspired keto ready in about 25 minutes pairs chicken thighs, avocado oil, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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.

★ 4.4 (15 ratings) Prep: 5 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 French cuisine 400 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 10-12 minutes without moving, until skin is golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken and add 2 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp dried thyme to the skillet. Cook for 8-10 minutes, basting with pan juices, until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  4. Step 4: Add 1 lemon slice per thigh and 1 tbsp butter to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute, then transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. Serve with lemon slices and pan juices.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 25 minutes (5 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 Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with 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 Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with 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 Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Lemon-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Herb Butter?

French keto like this pair well with a low-carb side — cauliflower rice, roasted broccoli or asparagus, or a leafy salad with olive oil and parmesan. Rice, couscous and bread would blow the carb budget this recipe is built around. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes