Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken thighs cooked in a rich garlic-herb butter sauce with a bright lemon finish, served with roasted broccoli. This american-inspired keto (high protein) ready in about 35 minutes pairs chicken thighs, unsalted butter, minced garlic cloves for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 520 calories and feeds 2, 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.

★ 3.8 (10 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min Serves 2 American cuisine 520 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Heat avocado oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Add chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for 7-8 minutes until golden brown and crispy, then flip and cook for 5 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken and set aside. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
  4. Step 4: Stir in 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 1 tbsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp thyme, then return chicken to the skillet and coat evenly.
  5. Step 5: Toss broccoli florets with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper, then arrange around chicken. Cover skillet and cook for 8 minutes until broccoli is tender-crisp and chicken is fully cooked.

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter take to make?

Total time is about 35 minutes (15 min prep + 20 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 Sautéed 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 chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter high protein?

Yes — this recipe is tagged high protein based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.

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