Pan-Seared Chicken with Dill and Lemon Zest
Juicy chicken thighs cooked in a fragrant dill-herb butter sauce, finished with bright lemon zest for a simple yet elegant dinner. This American-inspired keto recipe (high-protein, low-carb), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, lemon zest for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 550 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a low-carb week and pairs well with cauliflower rice or roasted green vegetables. 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 bone-in chicken thighs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp lemon zest
- 2 tbsp fresh dill
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
Know when the chicken is done: thermometers under $100 → Best Instant-Read Thermometers for 2026: Fast, Accurate Picks Under $100
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat 4 bone-in chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 2: Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet. Cook for 10-12 minutes without moving until golden brown and skin is crisp, then flip and cook for 5-7 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 2 tbsp fresh dill to the skillet, sautéing for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 1 tsp lemon zest, swirling until butter melts and mixture is aromatic.
- Step 4: Return chicken to the skillet, coating evenly with the herb butter. Simmer for 2 minutes to let flavors meld, then serve immediately.








