Print

Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs Recipe with Easy Garlic Butter Sauce

crispy baked chicken thighs - featured image
Print Recipe

This recipe delivers crispy, juicy baked chicken thighs with a rich and flavorful garlic butter pan sauce. Perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 4 large garlic cloves, minced
  • 2–3 fresh thyme sprigs
  • Juice from half a lemon
  • 1/4 cup (60 ml) chicken broth, low sodium preferred
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
  3. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper, including under the skin if possible.
  4. Drizzle olive oil over the chicken and rub it in evenly.
  5. Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up on a baking sheet or cast iron skillet, leaving space between each piece.
  6. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the skin is golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone reads 165°F (74°C). Avoid flipping during baking.
  7. While the chicken bakes, prepare the garlic butter pan sauce: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter.
  8. Add minced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant but not browned.
  9. Deglaze the pan with chicken broth and fresh lemon juice, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
  10. Let the sauce simmer gently for 2-3 minutes until slightly reduced and glossy. Add red pepper flakes if using.
  11. Once chicken is done, remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes.
  12. Serve the chicken thighs drizzled with the warm garlic butter pan sauce.

Notes

Pat chicken skin dry thoroughly to ensure crispiness. Avoid overcrowding the pan to prevent soggy skin. If skin isn’t crispy enough, broil for 1-2 minutes watching closely to avoid burning. Make the pan sauce while chicken rests to save time. Garlic cooks quickly; stir frequently to avoid bitterness.

Nutrition

Keywords: crispy baked chicken thighs, garlic butter sauce, easy chicken recipe, weeknight dinner, baked chicken, pan sauce, crispy chicken skin

Find it online: https://sparklespoon.com/crispy-baked-chicken-thighs-recipe-with-easy-garlic-butter-sauce/