Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Lemon-Parsley Glaze

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

Crispy-skinned chicken thighs bathed in a bright garlic-lemon sauce. This american-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 35 minutes pairs olive oil, minced garlic, divided fresh parsley for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 500 calories and feeds 2, 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 2 American cuisine 500 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then season both sides with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken skin-side down and cook for 5 minutes without moving until golden brown.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken and cook 5 more minutes. Transfer skillet to preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and bake 15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  4. Step 4: While chicken bakes, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add 4 minced garlic cloves and cook 60 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  5. Step 5: Stir in lemon zest (1 tsp), lemon juice (2 tbsp), and 1 tbsp parsley. Simmer 30 seconds until slightly thickened.
  6. Step 6: Remove chicken from oven, transfer to plate, and pour sauce over top. Garnish with remaining 1 tbsp parsley.

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Lemon-Parsley Glaze 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 Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Lemon-Parsley Glaze?

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 olive oil from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Lemon-Parsley Glaze?

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 Garlic and Lemon-Parsley Glaze for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic and Lemon-Parsley Glaze low-carb?

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

What others are saying

Related recipes