Sage-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin

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

Juicy chicken thighs seared to golden perfection with earthy sage and aromatic garlic, finished with a rich herb-infused pan sauce. This American-inspired chicken recipe (low carb), ready in about 35 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, extra virgin olive oil, fresh sage leaves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 385 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.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 American cuisine 385 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides with 1/2 tsp sea salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Place thighs skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 10-12 minutes until skin is deeply golden and crispy.
  3. Step 3: Flip thighs, add 1 tbsp minced garlic and 1 tbsp chopped sage to the skillet, and cook for 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 1 tbsp butter and 1/4 cup chicken stock, then cover and cook for 8-10 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  5. Step 5: Remove chicken, tent with foil, and let rest while reducing pan sauce for 2 minutes until slightly thickened.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sage-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin 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 Sage-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin?

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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sage-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin?

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 Sage-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin 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 Sage-Garlic Chicken Thighs with Crispy Skin 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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