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Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs: Best 30-Minute Dinner

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These Easy Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs are a quick, 30-minute dinner featuring crispy skin and juicy meat, made with simple pantry ingredients and minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4–6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 1.5–2 pounds total)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
  • 4–5 cloves fresh garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for finishing
  • ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • Optional: fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, or parsley)
  • Optional: ½ lemon

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). Place the oven rack in the middle position.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs completely dry with paper towels.
  3. Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper on both sides, including under the skin.
  4. In a small bowl, combine 4 tablespoons of softened unsalted butter with 4-5 minced garlic cloves. Mash together with a fork until well combined. If using fresh herbs, add about 1 teaspoon of chopped thyme or rosemary.
  5. Loosen the skin on each thigh by gently working your fingers between the skin and the meat to create a pocket, being careful not to tear the skin.
  6. Spread about a tablespoon of the garlic butter mixture under the skin of each thigh, pressing from the outside to distribute evenly.
  7. Arrange the thighs skin-side up in a baking dish or sheet pan with a bit of space between each thigh.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes. At the 15-minute mark, check the chicken; if the skin is browning too quickly, tent loosely with foil.
  9. Check for doneness: the skin should be deep golden brown and crispy, juices should run clear, and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part (avoiding bone) should read 175-185°F (80-85°C).
  10. Rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

For extra crispy skin, let the chicken sit uncovered in the fridge for an hour after drying. If the skin isn’t crispy enough after baking, broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in a 375°F oven for 10-12 minutes to re-crisp the skin.

Nutrition

Keywords: garlic butter chicken thighs, baked chicken thighs, easy chicken dinner, 30-minute dinner, crispy chicken thighs, weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://eliplate.com/easy-garlic-butter-baked-chicken-thighs-best-30-minute-dinner/