One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce

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

Tender chicken thighs cooked in a fragrant garlic butter sauce with bright lemon and fresh herbs, all prepared in one skillet for an easy, comforting meal. This one pot ready in about 35 minutes pairs bone-in skin-on chicken thighs, unsalted butter, garlic cloves, minced 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.

★ 4.4 (11 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 6 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for 4 minutes more. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Reduce heat to medium and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter to the skillet. Once melted, stir in 5 minced garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute until fragrant without browning. Add 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves and 1 tsp chopped rosemary, stirring to combine.
  3. Step 3: Pour in 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping the browned bits from the pan. Bring sauce to a simmer and return chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning sauce over them. Cover and cook for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce thickens slightly.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce 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-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

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-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

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-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce 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 should I serve with One-Pot Lemon Herb Chicken with Garlic Butter Sauce?

Serve it with a simple grain (rice, quinoa, or crusty bread), a quick green salad, and a steamed or roasted vegetable. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" above for dish-specific pairings based on what you have on hand.

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