Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs

$6.03 recipe / $1.21 serving
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Is there any food that isn’t good when drenched in garlic butter? It’s the easiest, most fool-proof way to make something insanely delish. So, because it’s the week after Thanksgiving and I don’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen, I whipped up these quick Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs. They only require about five minutes of prep, about 30 minutes in the oven, and then they’re ready to eat!

Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs in a baking dish, one being scooped out with a serving spoon

What to Serve on the Side

First things first, you’ll have a lot of delicious lemony garlic butter in the bottom of your baking dish, so you definitely want to serve this chicken with something to soak it up, or spoon it over. Today I served mine with Rosemary Roasted Potatoes and some simple steamed green beans, both of which benefited from a generous drizzle. Garlic Herb Mashed Potatoes would also be awesome, as would some Homemade No Knead Bread, or even just a bed of rice. Are you a garlic lover? Double up and serve Homemade Garlic Bread on the side!

Can You Make This With Chicken Breast?

The cooking times and temperatures listed below are specific to boneless, skinless chicken thighs. If you prefer boneless chicken breast, I suggest following the instructions in my Garlic Herb Baked Chicken Breast recipe. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs will require a longer cooking time, but unfortunately I have not tested this with that type of chicken so I don’t know the exact time needed.

For the Best Results, Use a Meat Thermometer

Ovens can vary, baking dishes can vary, the size of chicken thighs can vary. All of these factors can affect baking time, which is why it’s so important to have a meat thermometer. The digital meat thermometer (affiliate link) I use is extremely affordable and let’s me know without a doubt whether my meat is cooked to a safe temperature, and whether I’m in danger of overcooking my meat. ;) 

A piece of Garlic Butter Baked Chicken on a plate with potatoes, green beans, and a black fork.


Overhead view of Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs in the baking dish, one being scooped out with a serving spoon.
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5 from 13 votes

Baked Garlic Butter Chicken Thigh Recipe

Drenched in lemony garlic butter, these tender Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs are an easy and delicious no-fuss weeknight dinner recipe.
Total Cost: $6.03 recipe / $1.21 serving
Author: Beth - Budget Bytes
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 35 mins
Servings: 5

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp butter ($0.40)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced ($0.32)
  • 1/4 tsp paprika ($0.02)
  • 1/4 tsp salt ($0.02)
  • freshly cracked pepper ($0.02)
  • 1 fresh lemon ($0.79)
  • 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional) ($0.10)
  • 5 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 1.25 lbs.) ($4.36)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Place the butter in a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds, or until the butter is melted. Stir in the minced garlic, paprika, salt, some freshly cracked pepper (about 1/8 tsp), and about a tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley. Stir to combine.
  • Place the chicken thighs in an 8x8" baking dish. Spoon the garlic butter mixture over the chicken thighs, using the back of the spoon to spread it over the surface of the chicken.
  • Slice the lemon into half-rounds. Scatter the lemon pieces around the chicken in the dish.
  • Transfer the baking dish to the oven and bake the chicken for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken thighs reaches 165ºF.
  • Use a spoon to drizzle the baking juices over top of the chicken, then sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley over top just before serving.
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Nutrition

Serving: 1 Serving ・ Calories: 247.8 kcal ・ Carbohydrates: 2.04 g ・ Protein: 21.34 g ・ Fat: 17.9 g ・ Sodium: 329.18 mg ・ Fiber: 0.48 g
Nutritional values are estimates only. See our full nutrition disclaimer here.

Equipment

meat thermometer
Meat Thermometer
The equipment section above contains affiliate links to products we use and love. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Scroll down for the step by step photos!

Juices being drizzled over the garlic butter baked chicken in the baking dish

Step by Step Photos

Garlic butter ingredients in a bowl

Preheat the oven to 400ºF. Add 4 Tbsp butter to a bowl and microwave for about 30 seconds or until the butter is melted. Add 4 minced cloves of garlic, ¼ tsp paprika, ¼ tsp salt, some freshly cracked pepper (about ⅛ tsp), and 1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley.

Mixed garlic butter mixture in the bow with a spoon

Stir the garlic butter ingredients to combine.

Garlic butter being spooned over chicken thighs in a baking dish

Place five boneless, skinless chicken thighs in a baking dish, then spoon the garlic butter mixture over top. Use the back of the spoon to spread the garlic butter over the surface of the chicken thighs.

Lemon pieces added to chicken in the baking dish

Slice a lemon into half-rounds then scatter the lemon pieces in the baking dish with the garlic butter coated chicken.

Baked garlic butter chicken thighs in the baking dish with fresh parsley

Bake the chicken in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165ºF (use an instant read thermometer to make sure). Use a spoon to drizzle the juices from the baking dish over the chicken pieces, then top with another tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley just before serving.

Juices being drizzled over garlic butter baked chicken thighs on a plate with potatoes and green beans

Don’t waste a drop of that garlic butter from the baking dish! It’s great on the chicken, potatoes, to sop up with bread, or drizzled over your vegetables!