Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs
These garlic butter baked chicken thighs are juicy, bursting with flavor, and incredibly easy to make. With crispy skin and a rich, garlicky butter sauce, this recipe is a weeknight staple that delivers big comfort with minimal effort.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2.5 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 6–8 thighs)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 6 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or sweet)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine melted butter, minced garlic, olive oil, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and lemon zest. Stir until well mixed.
- Arrange the chicken thighs skin-side up in a large baking dish or oven-safe skillet. Carefully loosen the skin from the meat with your fingers.
- Spoon or brush some garlic butter mixture under the skin of each thigh, then spread the rest over the top and sides.
- Bake on the middle rack for 35-40 minutes (bone-in, skin-on) or 25-30 minutes (boneless), until the skin is golden and juices run clear. Internal temperature should reach 175°F (80°C). Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
- For extra crispy skin, broil on high for 2-3 minutes at the end, watching closely.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Sprinkle with chopped parsley and a squeeze of lemon if desired.
- Serve with pan sauce spooned over each thigh. Enjoy with bread, rice, or your favorite sides.
Notes
Pat chicken dry for crispy skin. Work garlic butter under the skin for maximum flavor. Don’t overcrowd the pan. Use a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking. Broil at the end for extra crispiness, but watch closely to prevent burning the garlic. This recipe is naturally gluten-free; check your seasonings and butter to be sure.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 320
- Sodium: 540
- Fat: 24
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 22
Keywords: garlic butter chicken, baked chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, crispy chicken, comfort food, high protein, meal prep, gluten free, family dinner