Quick chicken thigh recipes are midweek lifesavers, and these Garlic Chicken Thighs are one of my gold nuggets!
With a crispy, garlic crusted surface, juicy insides and a garlic butter sauce, this is a 5 ingredient boneless skinless chicken thigh recipe. It’s almost unbelievable how outrageously delicious such an effortless recipe can be!
The BEST quick chicken thigh recipe I know
There’s one key thing about this recipe that distinguishes it from most quick and easy chicken thigh recipes – these are CRISPY skinless chicken thighs.
Crispy crust? With skinless chicken thighs?
YES YOU CAN!
Here’s the secret: garlic powder, salt and pepper sprinkled on the chicken thighs. Cook on a relatively low heat = deep golden, crispy crust with terrific savoury garlic flavour.
And not only do you get all the pleasure of devouring that garlicky crispy crust, the brown bits in the pan from the searing* is the base for an incredible pan sauce that takes 1 1/2 minutes to make.
* The official word for the gold stuff in pans is fond.
Chicken thighs – all the way!
I’m pretty sure chicken breast is the most popular cut of chicken here in Australia – and probably many western countries.
Yes breast is leaner – just marginally. Does it surprise you to know that 100g/3.5oz chicken thighs only has 2 teeny tiny grams more fat than breast? 2 grams is nothing for all the extra flavour and juiciness you get from chicken thighs!
In all honesty, when it comes to stress free quick and easy meals with chicken, go chicken thighs all the way. It’s juicier so easier to cook, less prone to drying out because you overcooked it by 90 seconds, can be cooked with less oil and it has better flavour than breast. 🙂
What to serve on the side?
Make dinner extra fabulous by serving these Garlic Chicken Thighs with this addictive Curried Basmati Rice or Mushroom Rice! Add this Everyday Cabbage Salad for crunch (a great standby salad) or make a quick garden salad.
There are very few recipes in this world that are truly made from scratch that call for such few ingredients, are seriously quick and easy, don’t call for a tub of butter and cream, are economical and yet so lip smackingly delicious, you’d proudly serve this up for company.
This Garlic Chicken Thighs recipe makes the cut. Terrific back pocket recipe! ???? – Nagi x
More skinless boneless chicken thigh recipes:
- Greek Chicken Gyros – long time reader fave!
- Sticky Baked Chicken Thighs – country style sauce, pantry staples!
- Chicken STROGANOFF!
- Chicken Doner Kebab
- Asian flavours – Thai Grilled Chicken, Chinese BBQ Chicken, Thai Coconut Chicken, Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken
Bone in, skin on chicken thigh recipes:
- Baked Chicken and Rice
- Chicken Stew
- Honey Mustard Chicken
- Vietnamese Coconut Caramel Chicken
- Spicy Italian Chicken Casserole
WATCH HOW TO MAKE IT
Hungry for more? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow along on Facebook, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.
Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
- 700 g / 1.2 lb skinless boneless chicken thighs (5 to 6)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup / 125 ml dry white wine (or broth or water)
- 25 g / 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 2 large garlic cloves , minced
- Finely chopped parsley , optional
Instructions
- Sprinkle both sides of chicken with garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken in skillet smooth side down.
- Press down lightly with with spatula. Cook for 5 minutes until deep golden and crispy.
- Turn and press lightly with spatula. Cook for 2 minutes. Add garlic and butter, cook for 1 minute until garlic is light golden and it smells amazing.
- Add wine, then turn up heat. Stir around the chicken to dissolve golden bits stuck on the skillet into the wine. Simmer rapidly for 1 1/2 minutes or until alcohol smell evaporates.
- Remove from heat. Serve chicken with sauce.
Recipe Notes:
Nutrition Information:
LIFE OF DOZER
This is what’s in your face if you eat on the couch (with or without grey trackies and ugg boots).
Hi! This is an awesome recipe! My whole family loves it. Can I do the same with drumsticks?
Sure can Kate although they’d take longer to cook as they have a bone – I’d suggest baking them instead. N x
Hi Nagi, haven’t cooked this yet.
But interested in what type of frypan you. I’m over nonstick that use coating.
Is this easy to clean.? Thanks.
Hi Jill, I use a variety – non stick, stainless steel and cast iron pans. I personally haven’t had any issues with my non stick ScanPan range 🙂 N x
I don’t have any boneless thighs with me. can i use this recipe on just regular thighs??
Hi Aubree, you can (they will just take longer to cook with the bone in) or you can cut the bone out – N x
This recipe is gold! ♡
I’ve made this recipe quite a few times now, trying it with chicken thigh and with chicken breast as well as trying the wine/water/broth option for the sauce and each and every time I’ve made it I’ve had a delicious result!! It’s definitely something I’ll continue to make as it’s quick, tasty, versatile, and inexpensive 🙂 Thank you for the great recipe!
This knocked my socks off! I’ve never had a recipe this fast and easy taste this amazing- thank you!!!!!!!! My husband and I thought it was some of the best chicken we’d ever ate! I think I’ll try it next with one of his favorite things to hunt – wild grouse.
I’m so glad you loved it Christine!!
HI NAGI!!
I’ve been cooking since I was 15 tears old. I am very proficient in many Types of Cuisines. I just enjoy your videos. They allow me to bring back many memories of the dishes I use to make when I was younger. Grease Info & Videos!!
Thanks Nagi!
GREAT INFO!! LOL
😂 Thanks so so much Patrick!
I cooked it so exactly by your instructions but it never browned or got crispy do you use a specific pan?
Hi Karen, did you pat the chicken dry? Sounds like it needed to be on the heat a little longer to get that golden colour – N x
This was delicious, not to mention easy. Can’t wait to make it again.
Wahoo, I’m so happy you enjoyed it Perrin!
The only way you would not like this recipe is if you are anti-garlic. Simple, very flavorful, and just yummy. It’s on my short list of things to make regularly.
That’s great to hear Robert!
OMG, *this* chicken! SOOO good. Thanks again, Nagi.
YESSSS!!! I’m so glad you loved it Claudia!
Hi Nagi, every time I want to make a meal from your recipes I’m like a kid on Christmas morning, I get so excited I don’t know what to play with first lol Thank you for all your awesome recipes & I just love Dozer
Thank you SO much ❤️
Loved this! So delicious and so easy. I used broth but I can’t wait to try it with wine next time.
Super yummy! There are so many options to customize this recipe too! Great go to on busy nights with limitless options to make it something new each time!
Next time I may add mushrooms with the garlic to sauté, add the wine, then pull the chicken. Add flour and milk/cream to thicken and create a sauce. Put chicken back in. Serve with mashed. Or even add spinach and shallots to the garlic and serve with those crispy potatoes 🤤 So many options!!! Love this!
I’ve been following your recipes a couple of years and this is my first time commenting. I have to say though, my “printed from home cookbook” binder is FULL of your recipes!!! Thank you for sharing your creativity, enthusiasm and skill with all of us! You make mom’ing/wife’ing easier for this girl ❤ Thank you!!!
YES!! SO many great options with this recipe!
This recipe call for cooking time of about 10 minutes total? What am I missing?? I’ve read the recipe 3 times so I must be missing something somewhere?
can you make this with bone in chicken thighs?
Just made these for the 2nd time! First time I used white wine, this time I used broth and they were both delicious. Another great recipe from Nagi (:
Woot! Thanks Jess – N x
This is the best recipe ever. I wish i came across Nagi sooner. She is an amazing cook and so full of knowledge. I now have a folder in which i’ve downloaded full of Nagis recipes. And they are all crowd pleasers Keep the good work up.
Oh thanks so much Steve, I’m touched!!