Pan-Roasted Chicken Thighs with Smoky Paprika and Garlic Butter
Juicy pan-roasted chicken thighs infused with smoky paprika and finished with a garlic butter sauce that enhances every bite. This Mediterranean-inspired game-day recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder 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.
Ingredients
- 6 pieces (about 1.5 lbs) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter
- 4, minced garlic cloves
- 2 tsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 2 tbsp olive oil
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides evenly with 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 1/2 tsp salt, and 1 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken thighs skin side down and sear without moving for 6-7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs, reduce heat to medium, and add 4 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 2 tsp chopped fresh thyme to the pan.
- Step 4: Spoon the melted garlic butter over the chicken continuously for 2 minutes to infuse flavor.
- Step 5: Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F oven and roast for 12-15 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and juices run clear.
- Step 6: Remove from oven, baste again with garlic butter from the pan, and rest the chicken for 5 minutes before serving.







