Ingredients
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
½ teaspoon dried thyme
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
½ cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken
Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels. This is important for getting that beautiful crispy skin. Season both sides generously with paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, thyme, salt, and black pepper. - Sear the chicken
Heat the olive oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Place the chicken thighs skin-side down and cook for about 6–8 minutes, without moving them, until the skin becomes deeply golden and crispy. - Flip and add the flavor
Turn the chicken over and reduce the heat to medium. Add the butter and minced garlic to the skillet. Let the butter melt and become fragrant while spooning the garlic butter over the chicken. - Make the pan sauce
Pour in the chicken broth and lemon juice around the chicken. Add the red pepper flakes if you like a little heat. Let everything simmer gently for several minutes so the chicken absorbs all those delicious flavors. - Finish cooking
Transfer the skillet to a preheated 400°F (200°C) oven and cook for about 15–20 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). - Serve
Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5 minutes. Spoon the buttery garlic pan juices over the chicken and finish with freshly chopped parsley.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these crispy chicken thighs with mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, rice, or a fresh green salad. Make sure to spoon plenty of that garlicky buttery sauce over the chicken before serving.
The result: incredibly crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside, with a rich garlic-herb flavor in every bite. 🍗🔥