Pan-Seared Garlic-Thyme Chicken Thighs
Crispy-skinned chicken thighs infused with garlic and thyme, cooked in avocado oil for a rich, savory keto main course. This american-inspired chicken (low-carb) ready in about 26 minutes pairs (about 1.5 lbs) Chicken thighs, Garlic, Thyme 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. 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 (about 1.5 lbs) Chicken thighs
- 4 cloves Garlic
- 1 tsp Thyme
- 2 tbsp Avocado oil
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 10 minutes until skin is golden and crispy.
- Step 3: Flip chicken, add 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 tsp fresh thyme to the skillet, and cook for 6 minutes more until internal temperature reaches 165°F and garlic is fragrant.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Pan-Seared Garlic-Thyme Chicken Thighs take to make?
Total time is about 26 minutes (10 min prep + 16 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-Thyme Chicken Thighs?
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 garlic from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Pan-Seared Garlic-Thyme Chicken Thighs?
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-Thyme Chicken Thighs 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 Garlic-Thyme Chicken Thighs 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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
This recipe is a game-changer! The thyme and garlic complemented the chicken perfectly. Made it for guests and they loved it.
- ★★★★☆
Cooked these for my kids and they devoured them. The thyme gave it a lovely herbaceous flavor.
- ★★★★☆
The chicken was juicy, but the garlic turned a bit bitter. Still, a great weeknight dinner.