Crispy Parmesan Crusted Chicken Thighs with Easy Garlic Sauce
This recipe features bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs coated in a crispy Parmesan and panko breadcrumb crust, served with a rich, buttery garlic sauce. It’s quick, easy, and perfect for cozy dinners or impressing guests.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- 3/4 cup (75g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (100g) panko breadcrumbs
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter
- 2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (8g) fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon (15ml) fresh lemon juice (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
- In a bowl, mix grated Parmesan cheese and panko breadcrumbs.
- Press each chicken thigh firmly into the Parmesan-panko mixture, coating the skin side well.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until butter foams but does not brown.
- Place chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan and cook undisturbed for 7-9 minutes until crust is golden and crispy.
- Flip chicken and cook for another 6-7 minutes until cooked through (internal temperature 165°F/74°C).
- Remove chicken and tent loosely with foil.
- In the same pan, sauté minced garlic in remaining butter and oil for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in lemon juice and chopped parsley, then pour sauce over chicken.
- Serve immediately while warm.
Notes
Pat chicken dry to ensure crispiness. Flip chicken only once to keep crust intact. Use a mix of olive oil and butter to balance flavor and prevent burning. If crust browns too fast, reduce heat and cover loosely to finish cooking. For gluten-free, substitute panko with almond flour or gluten-free crackers. For dairy-free, use plant-based butter and vegan cheese alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 0.5
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 5
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 30
Keywords: crispy chicken thighs, Parmesan crust, garlic sauce, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, panko breadcrumbs