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Crispy Lemon Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

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A quick and easy recipe for crispy, buttery chicken thighs with a bright lemon and garlic flavor, perfect for weeknight dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 2 pounds / 900g)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 1 medium lemon
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste (coarse sea salt recommended)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme or oregano (optional)

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt, pepper, and dried herbs if using. Let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
  2. Heat a cast iron or heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add olive oil and warm until shimmering, about 2 minutes.
  3. Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the skillet without crowding. Cook undisturbed for 7-9 minutes until skin is deep golden brown and crispy.
  4. Flip the chicken thighs. Add butter and minced garlic to the pan. As butter melts, tilt the pan and spoon the butter and garlic over the chicken repeatedly. Cook for another 5-7 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
  5. Remove the pan from heat. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the chicken and add lemon zest. Spoon the sauce over the thighs to glaze.
  6. Transfer chicken to a plate and let rest for a few minutes before serving.

Notes

Pat chicken dry thoroughly to ensure crispy skin. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Baste often with lemon garlic butter for juicy, flavorful meat. For extra crispiness, broil for 1-2 minutes after cooking. Bone-in, skin-on thighs yield best results but boneless can be used with shorter cooking time.

Nutrition

Keywords: chicken thighs, lemon garlic chicken, crispy chicken, butter chicken, easy dinner, weeknight recipe, quick chicken

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/crispy-lemon-garlic-butter-chicken-thighs-recipe-easy-juicy-meat/