Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter

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

Juicy chicken thighs baked with a golden Parmesan crust and topped with a fragrant garlic herb butter. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs grated Parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, softened unsalted butter for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 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 Australian cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Pat dry 4 bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and season with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese with 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs. In another bowl, combine 3 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 2 minced garlic cloves to form garlic herb butter.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 5 minutes until skin is golden and crisp.
  4. Step 4: Flip chicken thighs, then spread the Parmesan-panko mixture evenly over the skin side. Transfer the skillet to the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
  5. Step 5: Remove skillet from oven, dollop garlic herb butter over the hot chicken thighs and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter 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 Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter?

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 grated parmesan cheese from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter?

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 Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter 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.

What goes well with Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Thighs with Garlic Herb Butter?

Australian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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