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Close-up of juicy, pan-seared chicken thighs in a creamy sauce, garnished with parsley. Perfect for 20 minute chicken thigh recipes.

Chicken Thigh Recipes in 20 Minutes: Weeknight Winner

This recipe offers a quick and flavorful chicken thigh dish perfect for busy weeknights. It focuses on simple techniques to achieve crispy skin and juicy meat in under 20 minutes.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Sauce Simmer 5 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 360

Ingredients
  

Chicken Thighs
  • 6 chicken thighs about 1 ½ pounds
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • to taste Kosher salt and black pepper
Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small shallot minced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream
  • for garnish Freshly chopped parsley

Equipment

  • Cast iron skillet

Method
 

  1. Pat the chicken thighs dry with a paper towel. In a small bowl, combine the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Rub the seasoning mixture all over the chicken thighs.
  2. Heat a large cast iron skillet over medium heat and add the olive oil. Place chicken thighs skin side down in the hot skillet and cook until the skin is crispy, about 7 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken thighs and cook for another 15 to 25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
  3. Add the butter, shallot, and garlic to the skillet. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the chicken broth, lemon juice, thyme, and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream. Simmer for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens slightly.
  4. Return the chicken to the pan with the sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley. Serve the chicken warm with the sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 360kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 19gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 131mgSodium: 380mgPotassium: 281mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 440IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 26mgIron: 1mg

Notes

For best results, use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for juicy and extra crispy chicken. Boneless chicken thighs can be used but will cook faster. If you don't have heavy cream, half-and-half can be substituted. Leftover chicken thighs can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, use an oven-safe dish covered with foil at 350°F for about 15 minutes, or in an air fryer at 350°F for 3 to 4 minutes for crispy skin. Microwave reheating is also an option for 1 minute.

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