Want an easy, but delicious way to cook chicken? These Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs are juicy and full of flavor! If you love garlic, this recipe is for you!
Garlic butter chicken
This recipe for garlic butter chicken couldn't be any easier. You simply mix together butter with garlic and herbs, then spread it on the chicken and bake.
The end result is juicy, flavorful chicken. You can easily mix together the garlic butter or for a slightly different taste, try roasted garlic butter!
Chicken thighs take a bit of time to bake all the way through. Plan on 30-40 minutes. The time varies depending on the size of your chicken thighs and how many you're cooking at one time.
I always use an instant-read digital thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. You want it to reach at least 165°F. Sometimes, I leave the chicken in for an additional 5-7 minutes to help crisp up the skin.
While the chicken is cooking, you'll want to baste the chicken with the melted butter in the pan at least once halfway through the cooking time. If I check the temp of my chicken and it's not quite cooked through, I'll baste it a second time while I have the chicken out of the oven. Extra basting means extra juiciness and extra flavor.
Key ingredients
This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.
- Chicken - Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs.
- Butter - I use regular salted butter. Make certain it's at room temperature so it's easy to mix.
- Garlic - You'll need about 3-4 cloves, depending on the size of your cloves. Feel free to adjust the garlic to your liking.
- Herbs - Dried rosemary and dried thyme add the perfect balance of flavors.
Step-by-step directions
In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.
- Combine butter, garlic and herbs together.
- Rub garlic butter over the top of chicken thighs.
- Bake in a preheated 400°F oven for 35-40 minutes until cooked through, basting the chicken with the melted butter at least once halfway through cooking time.
Recipe tips
- Make certain your butter is softened, but not melted.
- Baste the chicken at least once halfway through cooking time. Just scoop up the melted butter from the bottom of the pan and drizzle over each piece of chicken. You may need to tilt the dish in order to collect the drippings.
- Cook until chicken reaches at least 165°F.
- If you want crispier skin, continue cooking for 5-7 minutes.
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve the butter drippings and juices on the side to drizzle over chicken.
Frequently asked questions
The time will vary depending on the size of your thighs and the number of thighs you are cooking. Plan on 30-40 minutes in a 400°F oven.
Serving suggestions
We love this chicken with oven roasted broccoli or garlic green beans (perfect for when you want a double dose of garlic!)
You could also serve an easy pasta salad and Asian cucumbers.
More delicious recipes using chicken thighs
- Baked Greek Chicken
- Salsa Verde Chicken
- Apricot Chicken
- Italian Dressing Chicken
- Cast Iron Chicken Thighs
If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop
Check out all my delicious chicken recipes!
Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs
Ingredients
Garlic Butter
- ¼ cup salted butter (at room temperature)
- 4 teaspoons garlic (minced)
- ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary (finely chopped)
- ¼ teaspoon dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Chicken
- 5-6 chicken thighs (bone-in and skin-on)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- fresh parsley (for garnish, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F
Garlic Butter
- In a small bowl, combine softened butter, garlic, rosemary, thyme and pepper.¼ cup salted butter, 4 teaspoons garlic, ¼ teaspoon dried rosemary, ¼ teaspoon dried thyme, ¼ teaspoon pepper
Chicken
- Pat chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. Place thighs in an ungreased baking dish with the skin side up.5-6 chicken thighs
- Sprinkle chicken with salt.¼ teaspoon salt
- Spoon a mound of the butter mixture on the top of each thigh. Try to spread the butter evenly over the top of each thigh.
- Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 35-40 minutes until chicken is fully baked through and reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F. Baste chicken halfway through baking time with the melted butter and juices that have collected in the bottom of the baking dish.
- Serve hot with a bit of freshly chopped parsley for a garnish.
Notes
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- Make certain your butter is softened, but not melted.
-
- Baste the chicken at least once halfway through cooking time. Just scoop up the melted butter from the bottom of the pan and drizzle over each piece of chicken. You may need to tilt the dish in order to collect the drippings.
-
- Cook until chicken reaches at least 165°F.
-
- If you want crispier skin, continue cooking for 5-7 minutes.
- Allow chicken to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
-
- Serve the butter drippings and juices on the side to drizzle over chicken.
Nutritional Disclaimer:
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and should only be construed as an estimate rather than a guarantee. To obtain the most precise nutritional information in a provided recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the exact ingredients you are using when preparing the recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
fwg says
The garlic butter adds a zesty flavor.
Kathy says
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂