Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Garlic Sauce

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared to golden perfection, topped with a savory tomato-garlic sauce infused with warm spices. This mediterranean-inspired chicken ready in about 40 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 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.

★ 4.3 (13 ratings) Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Serves 4 Mediterranean cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and season both sides with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 6-7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook 5 minutes on the other side. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Step 3: Reduce heat to medium and add 1 small finely chopped onion to the skillet. Sauté for 4 minutes until softened.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 4 thinly sliced garlic cloves, 1 tsp ground cumin, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp red chili flakes if using. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Step 5: Add 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes and 1/2 cup chicken broth, scraping up browned bits from the pan. Simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
  6. Step 6: Return chicken thighs to the skillet, spoon sauce over them, cover, and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.
  7. Step 7: Garnish with 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 40 minutes (10 min prep + 30 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 Spiced Tomato and Garlic Sauce?

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 Spiced Tomato and Garlic Sauce?

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 Spiced Tomato and Garlic Sauce 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.

What goes well with Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato and Garlic Sauce?

Mediterranean chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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