One-Pan Garlic Butter Herb Chicken Thighs

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

Juicy chicken thighs seared in garlic butter with fresh herbs, cooked entirely in one pan for an easy, flavorful dinner. This chicken ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 6, 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 6 Chicken cuisine 320 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down and sear for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook the other side for 4 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium, add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 5 minced garlic cloves, 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, and 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme to the pan. Spoon the melted butter and herbs over the chicken continuously for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Pour in 1/2 cup chicken broth, cover the skillet, and simmer for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.
  5. Step 5: Remove the chicken and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, spooning the garlic herb butter sauce from the pan over the top.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pan Garlic Butter Herb Chicken Thighs 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 Herb Chicken Thighs?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pan Garlic Butter Herb Chicken Thighs?

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 Herb Chicken Thighs for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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 Herb Chicken Thighs?

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.

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