Garlic Chicken Thighs

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

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Crispy Garlic Chicken Thighs

Author: Nagi

Prep: 3 mins

Cook: 12 mins

Total: 15 mins

5 from 45 votes

Servings4

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Recipe video above. A fantastic quick and easy chicken thigh recipe! You'll love the terrific garlic flavour in this - seared on the crust and in the sauce. The trick to crispy skinless chicken thighs is to cook longer on a lower heat. 

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:

1. This recipe can be made with chicken breast but it won't have the same golden crust. Cut breast in half horizontally so they're 1cm / 2/5" thick, follow recipe but use these cook times: heat skillet on high, cook for 2 minutes, flip, cook for 1 minute then add garlic and butter, proceed with recipe as written.

2. Suggested sides: Cowboy Rice Salad, Roasted Broccoli, Avocado Corn Salad, Garlic Butter Kale Rice, Mushroom Rice (also see Baked Mushroom Rice), Smashed Potatoes.

3. Nutrition per serving, chicken and all the sauce.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 180gCalories: 334kcal (17%)

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