Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Thyme and Lemon Zest

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

Crispy skin chicken thighs infused with fresh thyme and citrus, finished with a rich herb butter sauce. This american-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs olive oil, finely chopped fresh thyme, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 485 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: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 485 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Place chicken skin-side down in the skillet and cook undisturbed for 8 minutes until golden brown and skin is crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken and cook for 5 more minutes. Add thyme, lemon zest, garlic, and remaining 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, stirring to combine.
  4. Step 4: Pour in chicken broth, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 7 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally and sauce thickens slightly.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken, keep skillet on low heat, and add butter to the sauce until melted and glossy. Return chicken to the skillet to coat and heat through for 1 minute.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Chicken Thighs with Thyme and Lemon Zest take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 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 Thyme and Lemon Zest?

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 Thyme and Lemon Zest?

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 Thyme and Lemon Zest 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 Thyme and Lemon Zest 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.

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