Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs are juicy pieces of seared chicken baked with a garlic butter sauce made with white wine and infused with fresh dill. This quick and easy dinner idea is perfect when paired with your favorite sides like mashed potatoes and grilled veggies!
When you hear garlic butter your mouth waters doesn’t it? Same here, which is why I get excited every time I make garlic butter chicken thighs. That stuff is like liquid gold, so you don’t want to waste a drop of it!
It’s brimming with flavor from the white wine, butter and garlic, and of course the dill.
I’m always up to finding new ways to flavor my chicken and this butter garlic chicken thighs recipe has to be one of my favorites. Along with honey soy chicken thighs, of course. It’s not a creamy sauce, which is a nice change from the chicken in a white wine sauce that we have often around here.
This is a quick dinner to make any night of the week, whether for a casual weeknight meal or a fancier occasion. There’s never a wrong time to make baked garlic butter chicken thighs. Seriously, your entire family will be asking for more!
What Goes Into Making This Dish?
First, we sear the thighs to lock in moisture, then we cook down the alcohol to start forming the sauce.
Once the garlic and wine are added those aromatic ingredients start to infuse the cooked-down wine and then when everything is baked all together, the juices penetrate into the meat. The results are one scrumptious succulent bite of chicken!
Ingredients Needed
You probably have what you need in your kitchen, however, if you need to run out and pick up some items, they’re all budget-friendly.
- Olive Oil: Need good cooking oil to brown the chicken, so olive oil and avocado oil are my top two choices. For this recipe, I went with olive oil.
- Chicken: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs. Chicken thighs are made from dark meat, making them much juicier and more flavorful than lean white meat.
- Seasoning: I like to use Seasoning Salute (which you can pick up at Trader Joe’s), or use whatever poultry seasoning you prefer.
- White Wine: No need to use your best bottle. Making a budget-friendly meal is a priority when you’ve got kids, so just use a dry wine that you’ll enjoy drinking as well. If you don’t want to use wine, replace it with chicken broth.
- Butter & Garlic: The two main ingredients in garlic butter! There is such a delicious aroma that comes from this duo that your mouth will be watering in anticipation.
- Dill: A savory herb that pairs well with garlic and butter. It’s got a brightness to it that is slightly sweet and slightly tangy.
- Parmesan cheese: For garnish, 100% optional.
How to Make Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs
Step 1: Generously and evenly season the chicken with 21 Salute seasoning, salt, and pepper.
Step 2: Heat oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat and brown the chicken for 5 minutes per side. They should be a nice medium golden color.
Step 3: Use tongs to transfer the thighs to a baking dish and lay them down in a single layer. Set it aside.
Step 4: Pour the wine into the same skillet and allow it to simmer gently for a couple of minutes. Feel free to deglaze the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon which will prevent the bottom bits from burning.
Step 5: Add the garlic, butter & dill and continue simmering for 1 minute, stirring a few times. Season with salt & pepper to taste.
Step 6: Bring the skillet to the baking dish and pour the sauce overtop the chicken. Cover with foil and bake in preheated oven for 35-40 minutes.
Garnish with extra dill and Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Side Dish Ideas:
- Easy Fried Rice
- Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
- Best Caesar Salad Recipe
- Baked Eggplant Recipe
- Mashed Potatoes
- Cucumber Tomato Salad
Recipe Tips
- Pat the chicken dry before searing. This helps it to get a nice sear on the outside.
- Only flip the chicken once. Place the chicken onto the skillet to brown and leave it alone until it’s time to turn it over.
- Use a thermometer to know when your chicken is done. It should read 165°F when it’s ready. This is not only more accurate but it saves you from having to pierce the chicken to test it.
- For extra crispy skin, remove the foil for a few minutes in the end, and place it under the broiler.
- Finish with a squirt of lemon before serving. The citrus juices will complement the garlic butter and dill and brighten up the entire plate!
What to Serve with Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs
I’m a big fan of serving mashed potatoes with any sort of chicken dish. They’re creamy and fluffy, and hold so much of the flavorful juices. A side of grilled veggies or a simple salad would complete this meal nicely.
If mashed potatoes aren’t your thing, you can swap that with white rice, brown rice, or quinoa. For a low carb option use cauliflower rice instead.
If I’m using a cast-iron skillet on the stovetop can I use it in the oven?
Yes! If you’re using any kind of oven-safe skillet, then there’s no need to also use a baking dish. Keep the cleanup to a minimum and use the skillet in the oven instead.
How to store leftover garlic butter chicken thighs?
Keep any cooked thighs in an airtight container or zip-top bag. You can store them in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months.
Can I add mushrooms to the garlic butter sauce?
Yes, you can add them in with the sauce. If you’re a lover of mushrooms like I am, you’ll want to check out my chicken Marsala recipe next!
When YOU make this Chicken Recipe, tag us on Instagram @MunchkinTimeBlog & hashtag #munchkinrecipes . We would love to see YOUR creation!
Garlic Butter Baked Chicken Thighs
Equipment
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 chicken thighs skin-on and bone-in
- 1 teaspoon 21 Salute Seasoning or poultry seasoning
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons dill finely chopped, 1 teaspoon for the sauce & 1 teaspoon for garnish
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese 100% optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425F. Into the non-stick skillet or oven-safe skillet add oil and preheat over medium heat. Add chicken thighs and evenly season with 21 salute seasoning, salt and pepper to taste. Sear chicken for 5 minutes, flip on the other side and season the other side, sear for 5 minutes or until nice medium golden color After remove chicken onto a baking dish using tongs (or two forks).
- Into the skillet pour white wine and bring it to a gentle simmer, simmer for 1-2 minutes are until the alcohol evaporates. Next add butter, garlic and dill simmer for 1 minutes, stirring few times. Taste the sauce, if needed season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken thighs, cover with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until chicken's internal temperature rises to 165°F. Garnish with dill and finely grated Parmesan cheese. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Happy Cooking!
