Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Spiced Tomato Reels Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-08-09 · Updated 2026-08-09

Juicy chicken thighs cooked to golden perfection served with a vibrant tomato sauce inspired by the fiery spirit of Instagram Reels. This Mediterranean-inspired chicken recipe, ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, salt for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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

• 4 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
• 14 oz (400 g) canned diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1/4 tsp chili flakes
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Step 1: Pat dry 4 bone-in chicken thighs and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat and add the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook for 6-7 minutes until the skin is golden and crisp, then flip and cook an additional 5 minutes until cooked through.
2. Step 2: Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 diced red bell pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and fragrant.
3. Step 3: Add 14 oz canned diced tomatoes, 1 tsp smoked paprika, and 1/4 tsp chili flakes to the skillet. Stir and simmer for 8 minutes until the sauce thickens and deepens in color.
4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp chopped fresh basil and 1 tbsp lemon juice. Return the chicken thighs to the skillet, spooning sauce over them, and cook for 2 minutes to meld flavors before serving.