Crispy Garlic-Broiled Chicken Thighs

Busy weeknights mean you don’t always have time to cook an elaborate meal, and having a quick entree that’s fast and easy can be a lifesaver. That’s why we love this broiled chicken thighs recipe—it takes just 25 minutes and requires only a handful of ingredients. Soy sauce helps add savory umami flavor, while butter rounds it all out with a succulent richness. Better yet, the versatile entree can be paired with a wide range of side dishes, from macaroni and cheese to roasted asparagus, and it’s hearty, tender and perfectly moist. If you’re craving a homemade meal but don’t have time to stand over the stove, try these quick and easy broiled chicken thighs instead.

Ingredients for Broiled Chicken Thighs

• Butter: Rich, salty and creamy, melted butter with the soy sauce in this recipe helps flavor the chicken and coat it with fat to prevent the skin from sticking to the pan.
• Reduced-sodium soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a deep umami flavor, so it’s a great way to add rich, savory notes to a marinade. We’re using reduced-sodium soy sauce here, but you can absolutely use standard soy sauce if it’s all you have on hand.
• Garlic: Minced garlic adds a bit of spicy earthiness. If you want to help it mix with the sauce even more consistently, try grating it on a microplane instead of mincing it.
• Bone-in chicken thighs: Bone-in chicken thighs are a really flavorful cut of meat—they’re extra moist and tender, and the skin gets perfectly crisped when cooked under the broiler.

Directions 

Step 1: Prepare the sauce and coat the chicken

In a large bowl, mix the butter, soy sauce, garlic and pepper. Reserve 1/4 cup of the soy mixture for basting. Add the chicken to the remaining soy mixture; then turn to coat.

Step 2: Baste and broil

Place the chicken on a broiler pan, skin side down. Broil it about 4 to 6 inches from the heat for 10 to 15 minutes on each side, or until a thermometer reads 170° to 175°F. Brush the chicken occasionally with the reserved soy mixture during the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Broiled Chicken Thigh Variations

Use boneless thighs: If you can’t find bone-in chicken thighs, boneless thighs will also work for this. However,  boneless meat tends to dry out faster than meat that’s on the bone. Monitor your chicken and use an internal thermometer to check the doneness—boneless meat cooks more quickly than bone-in meat.

Use the air fryer: If you’d rather save space in the oven, an air fryer can be a wonderful option. It can achieve high heats and—thanks to a system of fast-moving fans—air circulates quickly to ensure a crispy crust. You can follow this recipe as outlined above, but use an internal thermometer to ensure that your chicken reaches at least 165°.

How to Store Broiled Chicken Thighs

After these chicken thighs are finished cooking, you can package up the leftovers to enjoy later. To do so, let the chicken cool to room temperature, then transfer to a refrigerator-safe container with a tight-fitting lid. Place this in the refrigerator and store for about three to five days.

How do you reheat broiled chicken thighs?

To reheat these chicken thighs, preheat your oven to 350°. Take your chicken out of the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 10 to 15 minutes. Place a rack over a baking sheet. Then place any leftover chicken on the cooking rack and heat for 15 to 20 minutes, or until heated through.

Broiled Chicken Thigh Tips

What can I serve with these broiled chicken thighs?

Broiled chicken thighs are a really versatile entree, so they go with a wide range of side dishes. Mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables are a fantastic choice, but so are a simple salad or bowl of jasmine rice.

If my oven doesn’t have a broiler, what temperature should I use?

If your oven doesn’t have a broiler, you can simply use a higher temperature than you typically would. For this recipe, try setting your oven to 400° or 450°. The higher heat acts much like a broiler and will ensure that your chicken skin gets crispy and golden.

Can I make this same recipe with drumsticks?

You can absolutely make this same recipe with drumsticks. In fact, they make a great substitute for chicken thighs. Because drumsticks are smaller and have less meat than the thighs, they might cook more quickly. Use an internal thermometer to ensure that your chicken is always cooked to at least 165°.