Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Fresh Parsley

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

Juicy chicken thighs seared in butter and garlic, finished with a bright parsley garnish, served with a side of roasted broccoli. This American-inspired chicken recipe (keto), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, unsalted butter, garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 2, 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 2 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1 lb skin-on chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 10-12 minutes without moving, until skin is golden and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip chicken thighs and add 2 tbsp unsalted butter and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Reduce heat to medium and cook for 8-10 minutes, basting occasionally with the butter and garlic mixture, until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  4. Step 4: Remove chicken from skillet and let rest for 5 minutes. Stir 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley into the pan juices and spoon over the chicken.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Fresh Parsley take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (10 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 Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Fresh Parsley?

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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Fresh Parsley?

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 Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Fresh Parsley for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs with Fresh Parsley keto?

Yes — this recipe is tagged keto based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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