Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Garlic and Tomato Relish

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy pan-seared chicken thighs topped with a savory roasted garlic and fresh tomato relish, bursting with vibrant Whole30-approved flavors. This mediterranean-inspired whole30 (gluten free, paleo) ready in about 50 minutes pairs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, salt, black pepper 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 40 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 400°F. Place 2 halved garlic bulbs on a baking sheet, drizzle with 1 tbsp olive oil, and roast for 30 minutes until cloves are soft and caramelized.
  2. Step 2: While garlic roasts, season 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  3. Step 3: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 5-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook 3 minutes on the other side.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to the oven and roast chicken for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove garlic cloves from skins and mash in a bowl. Add 1 1/2 cups halved cherry tomatoes, 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil, and 1 tbsp red wine vinegar. Stir to combine into a relish.
  6. Step 6: Serve chicken thighs topped generously with the roasted garlic and tomato relish.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Roasted Garlic and Tomato Relish take to make?

Total time is about 50 minutes (10 min prep + 40 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 Roasted Garlic and Tomato Relish?

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 Roasted Garlic and Tomato Relish?

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 Roasted Garlic and Tomato Relish 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 Roasted Garlic and Tomato Relish gluten free?

Yes — this recipe is tagged gluten free, paleo, dairy 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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