Smoked Paprika-Sear Chicken Thighs
Juicy chicken thighs with a smoky, spicy crust, marinated in Brazilian spices and seared to perfection for a weeknight dinner. This Brazilian-inspired grilling recipe (low-carb), ready in about 30 minutes, pairs chicken thighs, smoked paprika, garlic powder for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 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.
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs, skin-on chicken thighs
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp, chopped fresh thyme
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then rub with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and 1 tsp olive oil.
- Step 2: Heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
- Step 3: Place thighs skin-side down in skillet, pressing gently to ensure even contact; cook for 8-10 minutes until skin is deeply golden and crispy.
- Step 4: Flip thighs, add thyme and lemon juice, then cook for 6-8 more minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).







