Just when I thought chicken could be boring, I discovered the magic of garlic butter and how it elevates chicken thighs to a whole new level. Today, I’m going to walk you through preparing these incredibly juicy and flavorful chicken thighs that will have everyone asking for seconds. Let’s get started!
First, gather all the ingredients you will need. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 4 cloves of minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of thyme (or your favorite herbs)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Now, let’s move on to the cooking process itself. First, I preheat my stove to a medium-high heat. This will help create that perfect sear on the chicken thighs. While waiting for the pan to heat up, I season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, paprika, and thyme. This step is important as it adds flavor right from the beginning.
Next, I add the butter into the hot skillet. As it melts and begins to bubble, I carefully place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. The sound of sizzling butter is music to my ears! I let them cook for about 7-8 minutes without moving them. This is key to achieving that beautiful golden-brown color on the skin.
After the skin has sufficiently browned, I flip the chicken thighs over. At this point, I add in the minced garlic to the pan, taking care not to burn it. This is where the magic really starts happening. I continuously spoon some of the melted garlic butter over the chicken thighs as they cook. This method not only adds flavor but also keeps the chicken moist and tender.
I generally let the chicken cook for another 15-20 minutes, checking for doneness with a meat thermometer. Chicken thighs should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Once they’re done, I remove them from the pan and let them rest for a few minutes. Resting helps to keep all those delicious juices locked in, ensuring each bite is as juicy as possible.
Before serving, I like to garnish with fresh parsley to add a nice color contrast and a fresh flavor. You can serve these succulent garlic butter chicken thighs with your choice of sides—rice, mashed potatoes, or even a fresh salad. The buttery garlic sauce is also fantastic drizzled over your sides for an extra kick of flavor.
And there you have it! With just a few simple ingredients and steps, you can create juicy garlic butter chicken thighs that are bursting with flavor. I hope you enjoy making this dish as much as I do!
How to Make Juicy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of paprika
- 1 teaspoon of thyme (or your favorite herbs)
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter
- 6 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- In a small bowl, mix together paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels and rub the spice mixture all over them.
- In a large oven-safe skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs, skin side down, and sear for about 5-7 minutes until the skin is golden brown.
- Flip the chicken thighs over and add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet.
- Spoon the melted butter over the chicken, then transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Remove from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and enjoy!
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