KETO GARLIC BUTTER CHICKEN THIGHS

Keto Garlic Butter Chicken Thighs

A Quick One-Pan Weeknight Marvel

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 (2 thighs per serving)
Difficulty: Easy
Dietary: Keto, Low-Carb, Paleo

Equipment Needed

Large skillet or frying pan (non-stick works great)
Tongs
Cutting board
Measuring spoons

Alternative: Any heavy-bottomed pan will work

Ingredients

8 medium chicken thighs, skin off (about 1.5 lbs/680g)
2 tbsp unsalted butter (30g) [sub: ghee for dairy-free]
3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tbsp)
1 sprig fresh rosemary [sub: 1 tsp dried]
2 tsp lemon zest
¼ tsp salt
⅛ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

Raw seasoned chicken thighs on a wooden board in a modern kitchen setup with wooden utensils, ceramic bowls, and fresh herbs

Method

Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper.
Heat olive oil in skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering.
Place chicken thighs in pan. Cook 5-7 minutes per side until golden brown.

Four chicken thighs searing in a black cast-iron skillet in a modern kitchen with green subway tile backsplash and wooden utensils

Reduce heat to medium. Add butter and minced garlic.

Golden-brown chicken thighs cooking in butter, garlic, and rosemary in modern kitchen with a hint of lemon zest being added.

Once butter melts, add rosemary and lemon zest.
Spoon butter mixture over chicken continuously for 3-4 minutes.

Professional food photography in a modern kitchen showing the basting process of chicken thighs with garlic butter sauce using a wooden spoon.

Cook until internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).

Crucial Tips

Don’t crowd the pan – cook in batches if needed
Let chicken come to room temperature before cooking
Never walk away while garlic is cooking
Keep butter mixture moving to prevent burning

Storage & Scaling

Keeps 3 days refrigerated
Freezes well for up to 6 months
Double recipe? Use two pans rather than overcrowding

Common Mistakes

Cooking chicken cold from fridge
Heat too high when adding garlic
Not patting chicken dry
Moving chicken too soon when searing

Variations

Mediterranean: Add capers and olives
Spicy: Include red pepper flakes
Herb-lovers: Mix in thyme and sage
Asian-fusion: Use coconut aminos and ginger

Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Calories: 419 | Fat: 27g | Protein: 40.4g | Carbs: 1.9g

Perfectly cooked chicken thighs with garlic butter sauce and rosemary garnish on cream-colored ceramic plate in a modern kitchen

This is your new go-to keto dinner hero – ready in minutes, packed with flavor, and clean-up is a breeze. The butter-garlic sauce is absolutely heavenly, and you’ll want to make extra to spoon over everything!