Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter

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

Juicy bone-in chicken thighs seared to golden perfection and finished in a bright lemon-garlic herb butter sauce that clings to every bite. This american-inspired keto (low carb) ready in about 40 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, olive oil, 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 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season evenly with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5-6 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook 3 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 1 tbsp olive oil to the skillet, then add minced garlic and chopped sage. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Transfer skillet to a 400°F oven and bake for 20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internally. Remove from oven, add 2 tbsp butter and lemon juice to the pan, swirling to melt.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to pan, spooning butter sauce over each piece. Rest 5 minutes before serving.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic 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 Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic 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 bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic 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 Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic 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.

Is Sage-Infused Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter 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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