Pan-Seared Garlic-Thyme Chicken Thighs

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 16 min Serves 4 American cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

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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.

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