Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Asparagus

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken thighs pan-seared in a vibrant lemon-garlic butter sauce, served atop tender asparagus spears. This american-inspired keto (low-carb) ready in about 27 minutes pairs boneless skinless chicken thighs, unsalted butter, lemon 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.

★ 3.5 (13 ratings) Prep: 15 min Cook: 12 min Serves 4 American cuisine 420 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season evenly with 1/2 tsp 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. Add chicken thighs and sear for 5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Step 3: Remove chicken to a plate. Add 2 tbsp unsalted butter, 4 minced garlic cloves, and 1/2 grated lemon zest to the skillet, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Step 4: Add 12 oz trimmed asparagus to the skillet, tossing to coat in the butter mixture. Cook for 4-5 minutes until crisp-tender, stirring occasionally.
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the skillet, spooning lemon-garlic butter over the top. Cook for 1 minute more to reheat and absorb flavors.

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Frequently asked questions

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

Total time is about 27 minutes (15 min prep + 12 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 and Asparagus?

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 unsalted butter from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Asparagus?

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 and Asparagus 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 Sautéed Chicken Thighs with Lemon-Garlic Butter and Asparagus 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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