Garlic chicken thighs

Seared boneless thighs with garlic. One pan, no oven.

  • Have some energy
  • Vegan option
  • Gluten-free
  • American
  • Low carb
  • High protein
  • Dinner
  • Chicken
  • Keto
Hands-on
8 min
Total time
22 min, show breakdown
  • Prep 2 min
  • Cook 16 min
  • Clean up 4 min
Pans
1
Ingredients
3
Cost/serving
$2.11

Per serving

Calories
369
Protein
40 g
Fiber
0.2 g
Net carbs
1.9 g
Fat
21 g

High in (% Daily Value per serving): Selenium 85%, Niacin (B3) 70%, Vitamin B6 50%, Vitamin B12 47%, Riboflavin (B2) 30%, Zinc 30%

Full nutrition facts, vitamins and minerals. All nutrition is estimated; check your own labels.

Already dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free.

Ingredients for 1

Tap an ingredient for other units and forms.

  • 200 g chicken thighs, boneless skinless

    Same amount as: 7 oz, about 1½ thighs.

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (14 g)

    Same amount as: 15 mL.

  • 2 cloves garlic, smashed (6 g)

    Same amount as: 2 tsp fresh minced garlic, 1 tsp jarred minced garlic, ¼ tsp garlic powder.

  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste

Find alternative ingredients

Optional when cooking for 4 or more

  • 1 tbsp lemon juice per serving, squeeze over before serving

Adds about 3 kcal per serving.

Quantities are for 1 serving. More than 2 thighs crowd a 26 cm pan. Cook in two rounds or use a larger pan.

Nutrition Facts

1 serving per recipe

Serving size 1 plate (220 g raw)

NutrientPer serving% DV*Whole recipe
Calories369
Total fat21 g27%
Saturated fat3.9 g19%
Cholesterol188 mg63%
Sodium336 mg15%
Total carbohydrate2.1 g1%
Dietary fiber0.2 g1%
Total sugars0.1 g
Net carbs†1.9 g
Protein40 g80%
Vitamin D0.2 mcg1%
Calcium28 mg2%
Iron1.8 mg10%
Potassium487 mg10%
Vitamin A18 mcg2%
Vitamin C1.9 mg2%
Vitamin E2.3 mg16%
Vitamin K13 mcg11%
Thiamin (B1)0.19 mg16%
Riboflavin (B2)0.39 mg30%
Niacin (B3)11 mg70%
Vitamin B60.85 mg50%
Folate14 mcg4%
Vitamin B121.1 mcg47%
Magnesium48 mg11%
Zinc3.3 mg30%
Selenium47 mcg85%

Estimated, not verified. These numbers are calculated from typical ingredient data and haven't been checked against a lab or your brands. Check the labels of what you buy and confirm anything that matters to you, especially sodium, sugar and allergens.

* % Daily Value shows how much one serving adds to a 2,000-calorie day. † Net carbs is not on US labels; it is total carbs minus fiber, allulose, erythritol and half of other sugar alcohols. "To taste" amounts are counted as written. Counted items (eggs, cloves, spoons) use the rounded amount shown in the ingredient list. Vitamins and minerals are from raw ingredients; cooking lowers some, especially vitamin C and folate. How this is calculated.

Steps

  1. Pat the chicken dry with paper towel. Salt and pepper both sides.

  2. Heat the oil in the pan on medium-high for 2 minutes.

  3. Lay the chicken in the pan, smooth side down. Do not move it for 6 minutes.

    Done looks like: Deep golden brown underneath. It lets go of the pan on its own.
  4. Flip. Add the garlic next to the chicken. Cook 5 minutes.

  5. Check the thickest part with a thermometer: 74 °C / 165 °F. Rest 3 minutes on a plate.

    Done looks like: Thermometer reads 74 °C / 165 °F or higher.

Equipment

Non-stick frying pan, 26 cm (10 in) $20–45

What to look for

  • Flat, heavy base that does not wobble on the stove
  • Oven-safe handle is a bonus, not required
  • Works on your stove type (induction needs a magnetic base)

Skip: Sets of 10 pieces. You will use two of them.

Instant-read digital thermometer $10–30

What to look for

  • Reads in 5 seconds or less
  • Thin probe tip
  • Shows °C and °F

Skip: Dial thermometers that take 20+ seconds.

Silicone spatula $5–12

What to look for

  • One-piece (no seam where the head meets the handle)
  • Stiff enough to scrape, safe on non-stick

Skip: Wooden spatulas for non-stick pans; they work but do not scrape as cleanly.

What goes wrong

WhatCauseFix
Chicken sticks and tearsPan not hot enough, or moved too early.Preheat the full 2 minutes. Wait until it releases by itself.
Pale, grey chickenWet chicken or crowded pan steams instead of browning.Pat dry. Leave space between pieces.
Burnt, bitter garlicGarlic added too early.Add it only after flipping.

Versions

VersionChangesPer serving
OriginalAs written. Hands-on 8 min, total 22 min.369 kcal
40 g protein
0.2 g fiber
1.9 g net carbs
21 g fat
VegetarianFirm tofu instead of chicken thighs. Also vegan. Hands-on 9 min, total 28 min.489 kcal
44 g protein
5.9 g fiber
3.2 g net carbs
35 g fat
Higher carbAdd cooked white rice (microwave pouch). Hands-on 8 min, total 22 min.531 kcal
43 g protein
0.7 g fiber
37 g net carbs
22 g fat

Notes

Allergies: removing an allergen from the recipe does not remove it from your kitchen or from other products. Check labels for "may contain" warnings.

Pregnancy: Cook to at least 74 °C / 165 °F in the thickest part.