Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Garlic Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection served with a creamy avocado and garlic butter sauce, perfect for a keto-friendly dinner. This american-inspired keto (keto, low carb) ready in about 30 minutes pairs salt, black pepper, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 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: 20 min Serves 4 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for 7-8 minutes without moving until skin is golden brown and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip the chicken thighs and cook an additional 6-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F; remove chicken and keep warm.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium and add 3 tbsp unsalted butter and 4 minced garlic cloves to the skillet, sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant but not brown.
  5. Step 5: In a blender or food processor, combine 1 ripe avocado, 1 tbsp fresh lime juice, 1/4 cup heavy cream, and the garlic butter from the pan; blend until smooth and creamy.
  6. Step 6: Stir 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro into the avocado sauce and season with salt to taste.
  7. Step 7: Serve the chicken thighs topped generously with the avocado garlic butter sauce.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (10 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Garlic 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 salt from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Garlic 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Garlic Butter 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.

Is Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Avocado and Garlic Butter keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto, low carb, gluten free based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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