Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-10 · Updated 2026-04-10

Crispy chicken thighs seared to golden perfection with aromatic garlic and a subtle heat from red pepper flakes, finished with a bright lemon finish. This American-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 40 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, olive oil, garlic 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.

Ingredients

• 1.5 lbs chicken thighs
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cloves, minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1 tsp kosher salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, then add chicken thighs skin-side down; cook without moving for 12 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
3. Step 3: Flip chicken, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes to the skillet, and cook for 8 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F, stirring occasionally to coat.
4. Step 4: Remove chicken, pour 1 tbsp lemon juice into the skillet, and simmer for 1 minute to deglaze, then spoon sauce over chicken.