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Creamy Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs Recipe Easy Crispy Skin Dinner

creamy garlic butter chicken thighs - featured image

This recipe features juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs seared to crispy perfection and coated in a rich, creamy garlic butter sauce. It’s a quick and easy weeknight dinner that delivers comforting, indulgent flavors with minimal fuss.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5 lbs / 700 g)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (about 55 g)
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels inside and out. Season generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Let rest at room temperature for 10–15 minutes.
  2. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet or cast iron pan over medium-high heat and add olive oil. When the oil shimmers (around 375°F / 190°C), place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Press lightly to ensure full contact with the surface. Cook undisturbed for 7–9 minutes until the skin is golden brown and crisp.
  3. Flip the chicken thighs carefully using tongs. Cook for an additional 4–5 minutes until the other side is browned and the internal temperature reaches about 145°F (63°C).
  4. Reduce heat to medium-low. Push the chicken to one side of the pan. Add butter and minced garlic to the empty side. Stir gently and let the garlic soften and become fragrant, about 1 minute, avoiding browning.
  5. Stir in the heavy cream and fresh thyme. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Squeeze in the lemon juice and stir again. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Spoon the creamy garlic butter sauce over the chicken thighs. Let everything meld together for a minute or two so the sauce clings to the crispy skin.
  7. Serve warm, garnished with a sprig of thyme or a lemon wedge if desired.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, finish the chicken under a broiler for 1–2 minutes before adding the sauce. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent steaming. Use room temperature chicken and pat skin dry for best crispiness. If you want a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for heavy cream. For dairy-free, use coconut cream and vegan butter alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy garlic butter chicken, crispy chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, garlic butter sauce, weeknight dinner, comfort food