One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a rich garlic butter sauce with blistered cherry tomatoes and fresh herbs, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs 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 420 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 Mediterranean cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until butter is melted and hot but not smoking.
  3. Step 3: Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crispy; flip and cook another 5 minutes until cooked through.
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside, keeping the heat on medium.
  5. Step 5: Add 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, then add 1 pint cherry tomatoes and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to blister and soften.
  6. Step 6: Stir in remaining 1 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp chopped fresh thyme, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tbsp lemon juice; cook for 1 minute until sauce is glossy.
  7. Step 7: Return chicken to the skillet and spoon sauce over it; cook for 2 more minutes to meld flavors, then serve hot.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes?

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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes 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 One-Pan Garlic Butter Chicken with Cherry Tomatoes?

Mediterranean 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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